Reading: Crimes that increased in Caversham during lockdown

Thames Valley Police (TVP) is warning locals of the rise in incidents reported in Caversham in recent months including 'persistent begging' and vehicle interference.

The latest data from police.uk shows there was an increase in the total number of crimes committed in the Peppard/Caversham area when comparing reports from January to March 2020, and April to June 2020.

READ ALSO: Thames Valley Police appealing for witnesses following assault in Reading.

Figures include crimes reported within the Peppard and Caversham areas of Reading from the River Thames in Lower Caversham to Emmer Green.

The most recent warning from TVP raised issues of 'persistent begging' reported locally and urged residents to be wary.

A neighbourhood policing newsletter for September and October warned residents not to give money to people who are begging as it "may be spent on drugs or alcohol".

It said: "Instead give a donation to a homeless charity such as Launchpad or St Mungo’s."

How crime rates have changed since lockdown

The UK went into lockdown earlier this year on March 23 following a nationwide announcement from prime minister Boris Johnson.

The public were told they could only leave their homes for limited reasons including food shopping, exercise once per day, medical need and travelling for work when necessary.

READ ALSO: Thames Valley Police issue alert to Reading residents following theft in Coventry Road.

Despite lockdown restrictions in place, figures reveal the level of crime reported in Peppard/Caversham increased.

Figures show that in January, February, and March there was a total of 283 crimes recorded in the Peppard/Caversham area.

Levels of crime increased by 15 in April, May, and June to 298 recorded cases of crime.

Crimes that increased

Reports of anti-social behaviour increased from 38 cases in January to March to 54 cases in April to June.

June was the month with the most cases of anti-social behaviour with 28 cases.

Adele Barnett-Ward is a ward councillor for Caversham and also the lead member for neighbourhoods and communities.

She explained there was a "slight rise in nuisance neighbour complaints" and thinks it's because people were "being more sensitive to disturbance from neighbours because of being locked down”.

This included reports of loud music and dogs barking loudly.

Cllr Barnett-Ward also picked up on the begging taking place in Caversham which she said has started in the last couple of years. The councillor reiterated the importance of not giving money to people begging but to instead support charities.

Bike theft more than tripled from five reported cases in January to March to 16 cases in April to June.

Recently, between October 20 and 21, an offender forced a lock on a shed in Meadow Way, Caversham, and stole two bikes - according to an appeal from Thames Valley Police.

Bike thefts are an issue that has affected Reading as a whole, and in central Reading 54 bike thefts were reported in March alone.

Cllr Barnett-Ward said people should use heavy duty key locks rather than combination locks to help protect their bikes.

Criminal damage and arson also saw a rise in reported cases.

Between January and March there were 22 cases which rose to 29 in April to June.

Instances involving drugs increased slightly from 8 to 10 in the same period.

Crimes that decreased

It’s not all bad news, there were certain types of crime that decreased in the first three months of lockdown.

Crimes relating to violence and sexual offences dropped from 107 reported cases in January to March to 82 in April to June.

Similarly, theft from a person also decreased during the same period.

It went from nine cases recorded in January to March to zero cases.

Vehicle crime dropped from 39 cases recorded between January and March to 33 cases reported in April to June.

However, motor vehicles have been targeted by thieves in the area in recent weeks.

On October 28, a TVP Reading tweet said: "Following a number of thefts from motor vehicles in Caversham and Emmer Green, we are asking residents to double check they have locked all vehicles and removed any items from view."

This month the government introduced a three-tier coronavirus restriction system for England.

Currently, Reading is in tier one which means there are medium restrictions in place including a 10pm curfew on pubs, bars and restaurants and the rule of six which makes it illegal to meet in groups of six or more inside or outside.