Woking Town - My Neighbourhood - Surrey Police

You said...We did

You said… there is an increase in anti-social behaviour around Enterprise Place and the Holiday Inn.
We responded… by increasing patrols in the area and dealing with any areas of insecurity. The owners of Enterprise Place have now employed a security guard.


You said… there are issues of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage to vehicles in the evenings in Mabel Street.
We responded... by increasing patrols in the area. This has brought about a reduction in reports of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage.


You told us… that taxi’s park illegally on The Broadway and in the High Street.
We responded… by working alongside Woking Borough Council Civil Enforcement Officers to deal with these issues and ensure tickets are issued where appropriate.


You asked… “What are the Police doing about cyclists in Woking Town?”
We responded… by educating those cycling anti-socially. A large portion of Woking Town is now a cycle friendly zone where riders are encouraged to cycle safely. Please visit http://www.cyclewoking.org.uk/ for further information.


Date for your diary
Don’t forget the next Neighbourhood Panel Meeting at the Coign Church on Tuesday, 17 August 2010 at 7.30pm.

In the meantime if you have any further concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact the Safer Neighbourhood Team either by phone, email or in person if you see us out and about.

Take care,

Jo, Dino, Emma and Rob

Written by FIN: 3977

You said... We Did

On the evening of Tuesday, 25 May 2010 a meeting was held between the Safer Neighbourhood Team and residents of Eastgate flats in Station Approach, Woking. The following issues were discussed:

You said... “There are drugs inside the premise; e.g. in the communal entrance halls and lifts and also in the flats".
We responded... by initiating regular patrols of the building and advising residents to relay all information to us so that it can be acted upon. Warrants will be executed if enough intelligence is gathered.


You told us... “People are sleeping rough in the halls and in the car park area behind the building and the door is being left insecure".
We responded... by removing two rough sleepers (known to police) from the premises. Residents can help to resolve this issue by ensuring that main doors are closed properly as you come and go - and by challenging anyone who attempts to follow you in. If they are a genuine visitor or resident they should have no problem with this. If you’re unsure or don’t feel safe to make a challenge, please call the police and report it. There is a possibility of a reissue of swipe keys to all residents, so that anyone who may have moved out of the building, but still has a key, can't get back in. We will ask your housing officer to look into this - and we will update you on the situation as soon as possible.

You said... “People are climbing over the fence from Woking railway station to avoid paying fares".
We responded... by explaining that we have in the past contacted Network Rail and British Transport Police about this issue. Network Rail said they would try and get some more fencing put in place to stop people climbing over. They also said that once people have walked off the platform, the company is unable to stop them as there is a live rail along the fence and they can't pursue people onto the tracks. We face the same issue on the other side. We can't stop anyone until they are safely on the ground and away from the fence (if they decided to jump back over and onto the track and get injured, we are liable). We will contact Network Rail again about the fencing. We will also increase patrols in the area.

You said... “There is noise from the taxi rank outside the flats. The rank also blocks the road and restricts parking".
We responded... by speaking to the Council's Taxi Licensing department, suggesting that taxi drivers use the rank outside Eastgate as a last resort. The council will pass this suggestion on to the drivers. We would also like plate number and registration details of any individual taxis causing unnecessary noise, so that we can target the main offenders.


You said... “The main doors being left open and damaged".
As we left... the middle door was open. We closed it and made sure it was secure. For your own safety, please make sure the door is closed properly behind you. We will check the doors when patrolling in the area, but we are not always going to be able to do so.


You said... “There are suspicious vehicles in the rear car park".
We said... we need more intelligence on this situation. If you see a suspicious vehicle, call it in and if there is a unit passing by they will check it out. We will incorporate the car park in our regular patrols.


You said... “There is rowdy behaviour along Station Approach mainly on Friday nights and Sunday morning between 3.00-4.00am".
We responded... by putting this issue of the town's briefing sheet, so that it is covered by Safer Neighbourhood Area Patrols (SNAP) on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. If there are any dedicated foot patrol units available in the area that are not deployed in the town centre they will patrol Station Approach and move the groups on.

Thanks to all those who took the time to attend the meeting. If you have any further concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact the Safer Neighbourhood Team either by phone, email or in person if you see us out and about.

Take care,

Simon, Jo, Dino, Emma and Rob

Written by FIN: 3702