Safer Communities in Wokingham

The following are examples of behaviour that may be considered ASB, depending on the impact, frequency and context:

Behaviour that harms or frightens people

• Threatening, intimidating or aggressive behaviour
• Harassment, including repeated unwanted contact or abuse
• Hate incidents or behaviour linked to protected characteristics
• Verbal abuse or threatening language
• Using CCTV or recording equipment to harass or invade someone’s privacy

 Behaviour that disrupts neighbourhoods or public spaces

• Persistent or excessive noise (for example loud music, shouting, or parties)
• Rowdy or aggressive behaviour linked to alcohol or substance misuse
• Groups causing repeated disturbance in a way that makes others feel unsafe
• Begging or street activity that is aggressive or intimidating

Environmental anti‑social behaviour

• Fly‑tipping or illegal dumping of waste
• Graffiti or vandalism
• Damage to property, vehicles or communal areas
• Abandoned vehicles

Serious or criminal related behaviour

• Drug dealing or drug related activity
• Dangerous or uncontrolled dogs
• Behaviour linked to criminal activity that is impacting the wider community

We always look at who is affected, how often the behaviour happens, and how serious the impact is, rather than relying on a fixed list.

• Home Security: Make your home less inviting to burglars. Lock all doors and windows whenever you go out (even if it’s just for a short time) and at night. Use strong locks (consider a deadbolt on your front door and window locks). If you have them set timer switches on lights when you’re away to make your home look occupied, or if you do not leave a light on such as in the hallway or an upstairs room.
• If you can afford to Install motion-sensor outdoor lights to deter intruders. Keep valuables out of sight from windows. These simple steps greatly reduce the risk of burglary.
• Beware of Scams & Bogus Callers: Be cautious with unexpected visitors, calls, or emails. Always check ID for cold-callers – genuine utility or council workers will carry identification, and you can verify it by calling their company if needed. If in doubt, don’t let them in. Likewise, never give out personal or bank details to strangers who contact you out of the blue. Banks and the police will never ask for your PIN or passwords over the phone. If something feels “off” or too good to be true, trust your instincts – it could be a scam. For further advice or to report rogue traders and scams, you can contact Trading Standards for help. Phone: 0345 404 0506 (Citizens Advice Consumer Service) or 01635 519930 (Trading Standards). Email: tsadvice@westberks.gov.uk. See the Council’s Trading Standards advice page for more information.
• Online Safety: Protect yourself on the internet. Use strong, unique passwords for important accounts and be wary of clicking on links or attachments in unsolicited emails or texts – they could be phishing attempts (trying to steal your information). Stick to secure websites (look for “https://” and a padlock icon when shopping or banking online). Be mindful of what you share on social media (for example, consider not posting publicly when you’ll be away from home). Staying alert online helps guard against fraud and identity theft.
• Fire Safety at Home: Ensure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home – test them regularly. Plan how you would escape if a fire broke out. Never leave cooking unattended, and be careful with candles and cigarettes. The Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service offers free Safe and Well visits to help make your home safer (especially if you’re older, have a disability, or other particular needs). In a Safe and Well visit, firefighters will check for fire hazards, fit free smoke alarms if needed, and give you personalised safety advice. To request a visit, call 0800 587 6679 or visit RBFRS’s website.
• Look Out for Neighbours: A friendly, watchful community is a safer community. Keep an eye on your neighbours, especially those who might need extra help (such as older or vulnerable people). If you notice something concerning – like you haven’t seen a neighbour for a while or there’s unusual activity around their home – consider checking in or alerting someone who can assist. Wokingham has many Neighbourhood Watch groups where residents share information and watch out for each other. To find out about Neighbourhood Watch in your area (or to join a scheme), visit the https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/ or email nhw@gmail.com for local details. Simply being aware and talking with your neighbours about what’s happening on your street can help keep everyone safer.

• Business Watch: A safe community is good for local businesses, and local businesses can help keep the community safe. Wokingham encourages shops and companies to share information and support each other. Businesses can sign up to Thames Valley Alert (see below) and select the “Business Watch” option to receive crime alerts and prevention advice tailored for businesses (for example, warnings about local scams or tips to improve security). The police and council also provide guidance to businesses on trading legally and preventing crime – check the Council’s Trading Standards business advice page for more information. Basic precautions like using good locks, proper lighting, CCTV, and training staff to spot fraud or shoplifting can greatly reduce risks.
• Wokingham Pubwatch: Pubs, bars and clubs in the borough work together through Pubwatch to keep the nightlife safe. Pubwatch members share information about potential troublemakers and use a joint banning system – if someone is violent or causes serious trouble in one pub, they can be barred from all participating venues. This helps make our town centres safer and more welcoming for everyone. If you run a pub or bar and want to get involved, you can contact the Council’s Licensing Team (email licensing@wokingham.gov.uk or call 0118 974 6000) to find out about joining Pubwatch.

Stay up to date with local crime updates and safety advice by joining Thames Valley Alert – a free messaging system from Thames Valley Police. Once you sign up, you’ll receive local updates about crime, safety tips, and alerts about incidents in Wokingham. You can choose to get messages by email, text, or phone, and tailor them to your interests (for example, general neighbourhood updates, Business Watch notices, etc.).

• Sign up online: Visit thamesvalleyalert.co.uk and register for free.

By staying informed, taking sensible precautions, and looking out for one another, we can keep Wokingham one of the safest places in the country. The Wokingham Borough Safer Communities Partnership is here to help – if you have any concerns or suggestions about building safer communities, please get in touch. Together, we’ll ensure Wokingham remains a safe, secure, and welcoming place for all.

People you work with can be signposted to Victim’s First.

Support for Victims of Crime in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Milton Keynes · Victims First – supporting victims across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire

Victim’s First have several specialist services which include help for victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse. We may refer you to one of our specialist services depending on your needs. The type of assistance available includes: 

• Telephone support
• Face to face support
• Advocacy(including help to access other services such as sexual health clinics, drug and alcohol services and legal services)
• Support through the criminal justice system (if you have reported the crime to the police)
• Therapeutic counselling

 Support tailored to children and young people aged 8 to 25 who have been harmed by crime and bullying can be accessed at: SAFE!

The partnership ensures professionals are trauma-informed so that their approach is mindful of the potential emotional impact on victims and the history that may have led up to an incident. By building this trust and demonstrating results (like a reduction in a local nuisance problem), the SCP aims to increase public confidence in reporting issues.

Victim support and community confidence:

Integral to safer communities is the commitment that every victim of crime or ASB should receive help, and every resident should feel confident that their concerns matter. The SCP partners ensure victims know how to get support.

Not all reported Anti-social Behaviour is actionable, but the Community Safety Team can advise you on what to do and how to help someone access support.  This includes from registered social landlords who are responsible for supporting their tenants if experiencing ASB.

When something isn’t ASB, what can we still do?

If something isn’t classed as ASB, we won’t simply dismiss it and as professionals it is all of our responsibility to ensure residents can access help.  This can include:

• Offer advice or mediation
• Signpost to other services or support
• Help you understand other options, such as civil routes or community resolution
• Explain clearly why enforcement action isn’t appropriate

Our aim is to be honest, supportive and transparent—so people understand what help is available and why.

If you see something worrying or experience a problem, please report it – tackling issues early helps keep our community safe:

• Emergencies: If a crime is in progress or someone is in immediate danger, call 999 (ask for the police, or fire/ambulance as needed).
• Non-emergencies & ASB: If it’s not an emergency – for example, to report a crime after it happens or to report anti-social behaviour – call 101 (Thames Valley Police’s non-emergency number). You can also report ASB online via the police: use the Thames Valley Police ASB report form.
• Stay anonymous: If you want to report a crime anonymously, you can contact Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.

When you report an issue, the police (and council teams, if appropriate) will investigate and take action. Our aim is to resolve the problem and prevent it from getting worse.