Wycombe West - Neighbourhood Priority for October - ASB

Wycombe West - Neighbourhood Priority for October - ASB

On the build up to Halloween a lot of work has been going into reminding our communities of their responsibilities at Halloween.   Visits have been taking place by us and the council to shops to remind them to be mindful of selling flour or eggs to children.   Whilst the Trick or Treat element may be seen as a bit of fun.  The trick element can easily lead to criminal offences such as criminal damage or harassment.   Have fun but don’t be anti-social.  The Neighbourhood Teams put in place extra patrols and have been working with key partners in Castlefield to provide alternative pursuits for young people.

Vehicle ASB continues to be a problem.  There are a variety of reasons for this, but the most common complaint that we get is over parking.  Whilst the Police can try to enforce some of the situations this requires a multi-partnership approach.   We have recently had reported that several clamps have been cut off, the vehicles they had been attached to.  This has allowed me to argue for the need for full recoveries in the area.   This month we did get 4 DVLA lifting vans into Wycombe and that did result in 7 vehicles being lifted, 8 vehicles clamped and 4 warning tickets being issued.  DVLA will be coming back to a road near you soon.

Recent reports have highlighted Oakridge as one of the most deprived areas in Buckinghamshire. However, Oakridge is also a vibrant and diverse community, made up of local businesses, students, homeowners, Housing Association tenants, HMOs, and private rental properties. As a key route into High Wycombe town centre, the area experiences significant levels of vehicle and pedestrian traffic, which can contribute to a range of challenges.

Some of the issues most frequently raised by residents and partners include: Parking and congestion, litter and environmental concerns, anti-social behaviour, crime and community safety and community pride and engagement.

Over the past year, initiatives such as the Castlefield Coalition and groups including Reclaim Castlefield have demonstrated what can be achieved when communities, partner agencies, and local organisations work together towards common goals. The success of these projects has highlighted the potential benefits of adopting a similar collaborative approach within Oakridge.

To begin that conversation, Oakridge Baptist Church has kindly agreed to host a community meeting. The intention is to hold an informal "Have Your Say" event, bringing together local stakeholders to discuss concerns, identify opportunities for improvement, share ideas, and develop both short-term actions and longer-term ambitions for the area. We will also explore whether there is support for establishing an Oakridge community coalition or partnership to help coordinate future activity.

I would be delighted if you were able to join us for an informal meet-and-greet and discussion between 11:00am and 2:00pm. Your knowledge, experience, and influence within the community would be invaluable in helping shape a positive future for Oakridge.

Working together, I am confident that we can identify practical solutions, strengthen community ties, and make a real difference to the people who call Oakridge home.  I look forward to welcoming you and hearing your views.  In October the Team received a Police Appreciation Award from the Wycombe Community SDA Church and a second award at the LCU Commanders award ceremony for the work in improving Castlefield.  Thank you to everyone who has worked or supported us.  It is in everyone’s interest to live in a nice community.