Wellington Grange Residents' Association

A message from Thames Valley Police:

Thames Valley Police are currently concerned about the level of crime in relation to overnight thefts from motor vehicles. The thieves are currently targeting insecure cars by trying door handles and taking any valuables that are left in these cars.

Thames Valley Police have been astonished by the numbers of cars that have been left un-locked and then prove easy pickings for thieves. It is vital that all residents ensure that their cars are locked and valuables removed from their cars to avoid being a victim of this crime.

Pete Oliphant
Deputy LPA Commander Wokingham

[Please note: no incidents have been reported within Wellington Grange]

Happy New Year everyone.

Thames Valley Police have been busy over the Christmas period, they’ve introduced a new 101 non emergency telephone number,  released a new newsletter ( here Loddon_Valley_Neighbourhood168.pdf ), and charged someone for the recent burglaries in Earley. More info below:

Burglaries: Lock Up Your Garden Shed
There have been two recent burglaries nearby, one in Maiden Place and another in Adwell Drive, both burglaries used tools from the shed.

Arson At The Manor
A grundon large skip was set fire in Gabriel Square (The Manor) and caused damage to the bin store.

Suspicious Door Knocking
A suspicious female who is knocking on doors stating that she has been locked out of her house, is asking to use the phone and is also asking to borrow £10 for a taxi fare and £5 for her lunch. The female is 25 yrs of age, has shoulder length wavy dark hair, grey blue eyes, tight jeans, flat shoes, leather jacket and cream coloured bag who spoke with a local accent. She may use a variety of stories to scam money from people. We urge you not to let her in and to ring the police if she knocks on your door.

Man charged with burglaries in Earley and Lower Earley
Thames Valley Police has charged a 26-year-old man with conspiracy to burgle in connection with a series of burglaries in which Asian gold was taken.Roberto Tascon-Grisales, of Lambeth, London, has been charged with conspiracy to burgle properties in Berkshire and Bedfordshire. The charge encompasses five burglaries in the Thames Valley Police area, consisting of two burglaries in Rosedale Crescent, Earley, a burglary in Woodmere Close, Lower Earley and a burglary in Old Bath Road, Calcot and Elliman Avenue, Slough.

If you have any information in relation to these incidents contact Thames Valley Police on 101 

Police would like to ask members of the public to contact them if they see the following car:

White BMW   KP07 BFP

This vehicle has been seen in the North Earley area.  4 men have been seen in the car and driving round, getting out knocking on doors, looking into windows and police would like to question the occupants.

If you see this vehicle please contact the police immediately on 999 stating that you are responding to an urgent request from Ringmaster. (or URN 1042 9/12)

We’ve received word that a 3rd burglary has taken place on the estate. I’m told access was via an open window. The good news is that someone has been caught with the stolen goods.

Please remember to keep all your windows and doors closed and locked. There would seem to be a lot of opportunity burglaries taking place in Earley in the run up to Christmas.

Please be aware there’s been another burglary in Paddick Drive.

This is the 2nd burglary in the last month. If you have any information dial 101 – the new local police contact telephone number (calls cost 15p no matter how long you talk ).

At the Earley NAG last night (21st) Sgt Matt Foskett commented on the burglaries , he said that in his opinion the police were doing a good job of letting people know about them but that this in itself was making people more concerned about crime. The suggestion being that the level of burglaries are not particularly higher than average for Earley at the moment.

The burglaries in Paddick drive were attributed to a the seasonal increase in opportunistic Christmas burglaries, where burglars are stealing items left out on display  which are easy to convert in to cash such as smart phones, laptops, handheld game.

Also, in North Earley (past the Three Tuns), there is a suggestion that an organised crime gang is operating along the A4 corridor. Residents were told that the gang are very well organised and do not necessarily have the look of typical criminals ( they use middle aged women etc ).

The latest police community bulletin reads:

Police would like to update you with information about crime in your area:
Paddick Drive
Lower Earley
20th November
Overnight burglary, POE through an unlocked patio door, a mobile, laptop, cash and Ipod stolen
URN 566 20th November

The Delph
Lower Earley
20th November
Overnight attempted burglary, householder found conservatory window open but nothing stolen.
URN 548 20th November

101 – From the 14th November 2011 callers will be able to use the new national non-emergency number 101 to call Thames Valley Police. 101 will replace the 0845 8 505 505 number and both numbers will run side by side until the end of March 2012.

If  you are able to assist the police with their enquiries please ring  101 or you can ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Local Incident: A resident’s car has been keyed (scratched) and had writing etched on to it. Please contact the police ( and email wellingtongrange@gmail.com afterwards ) if you have any information or if you experience similar vandalism.

Indian Gold/Jewellery Thefts: Thames Valley Police are urging members of the public to be vigilant following a number of thefts of Indian gold/jewellery from their homes. The police would ask local residents, especially Asian woman to be careful where they store their jewellery and anyone with information, regardles of how little it may appear to contact us immediately on 0845 8 505 505 alternatively you can ring CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. If English is not their first language I would like to reassure them that we have police officers, staff and interpreters who can assist.

Police Informatives: A new version of the Police’s “In Your Neighbourhood” newsletters is now available, click Issue 166, 8th September to read it.

Nothing major to report, although it may be worth noting there’s been a burglary relatively nearby in The Delph (near Hawkedon school)…

Crime in the Area:

The Delph
Lower Earley
3rd September 12:00 – 23:00
Daytime into the evening burglary whereby offenders have got in via a rear conservatory door and stolen 2 laptop bags from a dining room and 1 laptop from the living room along with passports.
URN 1893 3/9

Culver Lane
Earley
31/8-3/9
13:00-midnight
Burglary which occurred at sometime from the afternoon through to midnight, POE the front door which had been previously damaged and cardboard put over a glass pane to secure it and the door was not double locked. Laptop, jewellery and 2 small safes stolen.
URN 2 4/9

Ramsbury Drive, Earley
29th August
A bike was stolen from a garage where the door was left open and contents visible from the road.
URN 1124 29/8

Asda Car park, Lower Earley
29th August
During the afternoon (16:20) a bicycle which was left secured to a bike rack has been stolen.

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