Wokingham Borough Connect
 Recognition tackling exploitation and county lines
The Laycock Award is an award specifically within Thames Valley Police, that recognises outstanding work in problem-solving and prevention of community issues.
It's named after Gloria Laycock, a key figure in problem-oriented policing and is awarded to individuals, teams or partners who demonstrate a real difference in their communities.
The Community Safety and Housing Team, in partnership with the Problem-Solving Team from Wokingham Neighbourhood Policing Team, were nominated and came a very close third for their work to tackle exploitation and county lines on the Norreys Estate. First, second and third all scored really highly, and were separated by only a few points.
As reported in our newsletter in March 2024, for this project we worked to identify individuals and properties affected and took action to support and safeguard individuals, protect properties and improve safety in the wider community.
That alone is great news. But, as a result, we are also going forward as a nomination for The Tilley Award, which celebrates problem-oriented projects that have achieved measurable success in resolving issues faced by the police, partners, and/or the community. The awards will take place in September at The National Problem-Solving Conference.
 Doorstep crime, don't be a victim
One of the priorities of the Trading Standards Team is to support residents, especially vulnerable people, to live independent lives by protecting them from doorstep crime and to stop criminals from profiting from their activities.
Our officers have been alerted to 77 incidents of doorstep crime in Wokingham between April 2024 and March 2025, with victims paying out a total of £684,357.
The average loss per incident is £8,887. Officers have intervened to save victims a further £83,250. Officers have also been undertaking routine patrols where they have managed to identify and move on some unscrupulous operators. A number of these operators are now being prosecuted.
Scammers will always seek out opportunities to prey on people’s vulnerabilities and the increased financial pressure many of us are facing might make us more vulnerable to these opportunists. Now that the warmer weather is with us, we are likely to see an increase in scamming activity.
Protect yourself by:
- Researching any traders or companies before confirming any payments, especially if they seem too good to be true
- Talking to friends and family
- Not being rushed into making a decision
- Acting straight away if you think you have been scammed
If a doorstep caller is at your home now, or you have recently been contacted by one, call us immediately on 01635 519930.
 Help for victims and perpetrators of stalking
Stalking is a serious crime that can have devastating effects on victims, including emotional distress, physical harm and long-term psychological trauma.
National Stalking Awareness Week 2025 ran from 22 to 25 April and this year focused on increasing healthcare professional’s ability to identify stalking cases.
Stalkers use various tactics, including unwanted phone calls, following, sending unwanted messages and using technology to monitor and track their victim.
In the Thames Valley region, Aurora New Dawn and COBI (Compulsive and Obsessive Behaviour Intervention) have partnered to deliver a specialised stalking service. The service provides support to victims of stalking, while COBI works with perpetrators to help people manage their emotions and reduce harmful behaviours.
The Stalking Service delivered by Aurora supports victim of these behaviours through:
- Providing confidential advice and support tailored to their specific situation
- Safety planning
- Advocacy, including support to obtain protective orders through the courts
- Practical and emotional support
Referrals for support in Thames Valley area can be made through the police, or by calling Aurora New Dawn on 02392 479254. The service is available from 9am to 5pm on weekdays.
You can also access help through the Cranstoun Domestic Abuse Support Service on 0118 402 1921 or the National Stalking helpline on 0808 802 0300.
In an emergency, always call 999.
 Introducing one of our domestic abuse specialists
We have two domestic abuse specialists, one based in housing and the other based in children's services.
Kate Sealy is our Domestic Abuse Specialist for children’s services and is part of the Risk and Assessment Team where all cases that come in via the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub are reviewed.
If domestic abuse is identified, or suspected, she will often accompany the allocated social worker on a joint initial visit to meet the family to assess the current situation and any associated risk.
She participates in safety planning and advises and applies for any protective measures required, such as non-molestation orders and occupation orders, to help promote victim and survivor safety.
Kate has a background in healthcare and was a nurse and a midwife for 15 years before moving into social care.
Here is some feedback from Thames Valley Police's Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit, provided by a victim: "[I] just wanted to share X, who is the victim in this case, could not have been more complimentary about Kate Sealy. X just kept talking about how she had put her at ease, how kind and caring she was and how she’d given her the confidence to proceed. Honestly couldn’t talk highly enough of her."
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, or are concerned about a friend or family member, there is information on our website.
You can also report a concern about a child or concern for an adult.
If someone is at immediate risk, please call 999.
 Crime prevention projects receive funding
Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matthew Barber and Chief Constable Jason Hogg have awarded £203,195 to community and voluntary organisations in the first round of this year’s Community Fund.
With 210 applications submitted for more than £1.4m of funding, 38 organisations have successfully been awarded funding of between £250 and £10,000 to support the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan key priorities.
The first round for 2025 was focused on awarding grant funding applications to projects that work to tackle anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime across the Thames Valley.
Mr Barber said: “Among the wide range of applications we have focused on tackling anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime.
"We know these are serious concerns in our communities and by allocating over £85,000 to these 17 projects, we will be working to make communities safer.
"Our communities will benefit from this round through projects which align with a number of key policing priorities, including additional CCTV systems, knife crime prevention and support for victims of crime.
"I’m delighted we can take money away from criminals and make sure it supports crime reduction where it really matters, in your local community.”
You can read more about the first round of the Community Fund online and be added to the distribution list to find out when the next funding round is open by emailing the communications team.
 Police update from your Wokingham North team
The police are always a popular attraction at schools and community events, including the Earley Easter Family Fun event, showcasing the van (and sirens – sorry neighbours!) to the young visitors.
Parents and children alike wanted to experience 'the cage'. They also hosted a ‘PC Ben’ presentation and show and tell with the children at Charvil Piggott Primary School. We encourage all the local primary schools, nurseries and clubs to reach out if you wish to receive this presentation.
There was also a visit to Earley St Peters school, where officers did their own show and tell, including a demonstration of their kit and the car – naturally, the lights and the siren are a fan favourite!
PC Simpson-Holland headed up the team on a shoplifting operation to support our local retailers and deter theft. Following on from this, they welcomed Special Constable Berry to the team, and with PC’s Bogdanova and Young arrested a shoplifter from Sainsbury’s in Winnersh, who has now been charged. Elsewhere another shoplifter was detained, further checks confirmed that he was already wanted on a recall to prison for other reasons, as well as previous shoplifting.
PC’s Simpson-Holland and Scullin attended a call where there were concerns for a person and their mental state. Thankfully, the officers were able to positively engage with them and ensure the correct help was put in place for their ongoing support.
PC’s Young and Bogdanova have also been busy with a range of traffic offences, including parking and dealing with anti-social driving. Please be aware if caught driving anti-socially more than once that your vehicle is liable to be seized.
PCSO’s Elson and Brown assisted in the recovery of a stolen motorcycle following reports of an abandoned vehicle in the woods. They were able to trace the registered keeper and made the necessary arrangements for its return to them.
PCSO’s Emmett and Hobart delivered training to the local hotels on child exploitation. They deliver these sessions annually to ensure as many hotel staff as possible can recognise the signs and know how to report any concerns.
To tell our neighbourhood team about what is going on in your area please complete the survey for your area: Twyford; Winnersh; Earley; Woodley.
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