 Counterfeit goods seized at local car boot sale
Two traders at a car boot sale in the borough on 11 August were found to be selling counterfeit clothes and illegal vapes after a visit by our Trading Standards officers.
One trader had around 480 items of counterfeit clothes seized that were from well-known brands and had a value of around £2,500.
Counterfeit products can reduce the demand for genuine items, which can cause many job losses in the industry. Counterfeiters will often pay poor wages and use forced or child labour and the profits from counterfeiting sales have been linked to funding organised crime and drug trafficking.
It’s estimated that counterfeiting costs the UK economy around £9 billion every year.
Officers also visited another trader who was selling illegal vapes which exceeded the permitted liquid size, which is 2ml. Some of the vapes on sale were found to contain 18ml or more of liquid.
The clothes and vapes were seized and further enquiries are underway.
If you suspect counterfeit or illegal goods are being sold anywhere you can report this via 01635 519930 (Monday to Friday during office hours) or email tsadvice@westberks.gov.uk
 ASB mediation service launched
A new anti-social behaviour (ASB) mediation service 'Alternatives to Conflict' has launched, aiming to help residents work together to resolve issues escalating.
Clashes involving noise, parking, pets and boundaries often lead to challenging and offensive behaviours that can cause significant distress to those involved and this new service provides independent advice and support to those involved in neighbour and community disputes.
Mediation is a confidential, informal process in which a neutral third party, the mediator, will help those who are in dispute to reach agreement. People can either self-refer into the mediation service or professionals can complete a referral with the individuals consent via the website.
Following an initial chat and individual meeting, a joint meeting will be suggested where a mediator will help parties to talk openly and respectfully, acknowledging differences and recognising common ground and shared needs.
The service has been launched by Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley and will be delivered by Alternatives to Conflict, previously known as Mediation Bucks.
 Supporting those who have left abusive relationships
It is a sad fact that domestic abuse can continue even after the victim/survivor has left the abusive relationship. This is known as post separation abuse and it impacts over 90 per cent of those escaping an abuser.
The abuse can last many months and years, often with an escalation in the behaviours they were subjected to previously.
Kaleidoscopic UK, a local peer support service for victim-survivors of domestic abuse is highlighting this issue during their second annual awareness week, and are looking to capture people's experiences in a short survey
For more information, or to find out about a coffee morning which is being held on 16 September please contact kaleidoscopicuk@gmail.com.
 Its okay, my dog is friendly
Getting a new dog or puppy and can be an exciting time and people can be eager to get out with their dog and start socialising them.
When out and about please remember that not all dogs (or people!) want to interact with other dogs so don't let your dog run up to others without checking that it is okay, and ensure that all interactions are closely supervised.
If you fail to do this you may not only be putting your own dog at risk, but falling foul of the law yourself, regardless of your dog’s intentions and no matter how friendly you perceive them to be.
The experiences your dog has can shape and change their own future reactions and responses.
Various organisations can offer advice on dog ownership including the Dogs Trust.
Every year we receive complaints about dogs and their owners but with a little common sense and courtesy, we can all enjoy our public spaces.
 Shop a shark
Anyone who spots a postcard in a shop window or on a community noticeboard offering loans is being asked to report it to the England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) to investigate.
A person who lends money and charges interest without authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is acting illegally.
They are not bound by rules that protect borrowers and can charge whatever interest they choose. They may use threats, intimidation and violence to make sure repayments are made and can make life a misery for vulnerable borrowers, trapping them in a cycle of debt.
Sometimes people need to borrow a small amount at short notice to meet everyday costs or unexpected expenses. If they can’t access credit through mainstream channels like banks, they may feel their options are limited and this is where illegal lenders can strike.
If anyone spots a suspicious advert, there is a new reporting form where people can send details of an ad, anonymously if preferred.
The team can be contacted by calling the 24/7 confidential hotline 0300 555 2222 or joining the live chat which is available on their website from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
There is also support available locally and nationally for those who are worried about money and need some extra support.
 Events in Woodley and Earley to tackle scams
Our neighbourhood policing team are running two events to help stop our residents falling victim to scams and fraud. The events will include:
- Introduction from Neighbourhood Policing
- Local Lloyds Bank will talk about fraud from a banking perspective, including what to look out for and top tips
- A Cyber Protection Officer will explain phishing and how you can protect themselves from common ways fraudsters target people
- Fraud Victim Support Officer will tell us how we can safeguard ourselves from scammers and useful tools we cna use to protect us
The first event is aimed at elderly residents and takes place 17 September from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at Earley Crescent Resource Centre in Earley.
The second event is aimed at all and takes place on 20 September, 9am to 1pm at the Oakwood Centre in Woodley.
For more information on these events email wokinghamnhpt@thamesvalley.police.uk.
 Surrender and Compensation Scheme for ‘zombie-style’ knives
‘Zombie-style’ knives and ‘zombie-style’ machetes have been added to the
list of prohibited offensive weapons.
If you currently possess any of these items, you will not be permitted to keep them once the ban comes into place on 24 September 2024 and you should surrender the item(s) to the police before this time.
If you wish to claim compensation when you surrender the item, the Surrender and Compensation scheme allows you to claim compensation if you meet the eligibility criteria and make a claim in line with the arrangements set out in the guidance.
You may hand in such weapons at any police station until 23 September but if you wish to claim compensation then you must hand them in at a designated police station. Our nearest are Reading, Maidenhead or Slough.
And finally...
Thanks to all of those who came to the recent Sunday Funday in Lower Earley and met people from our ASB team, Thames Valley Police, Royal Berkshire FIre and Rescue Service, Berkshire Critical Incident Team and the Thames Valley Police Dog Unit.
Children particularly enjoyed meeting police officers and were able to try on their uniforms, sit in the police vehicles and turn the lights and sirens on and off, see police firearms and night vision equipment and inspect areas used for transporting suspected criminals to a police station.
We hope to run similar events across the borough so everyone can join in the fun and learn about our partners in the emergency services.
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