People who live or work in Southcote have two weeks left to make their views on crime and antisocial behaviour in their neighbourhood count.
The Southcote Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) want to hear from people about the issues which concern them the most. The top three issues identified will then become the priorities of the Southcote NAG, whose members will then work alongside Thames Valley Police and Reading Borough Council to help resolve them.
NAG’s consist of volunteers who are local residents and who work with the Police, Council and other local organisations to address local concerns. It allows the community to have a direct say in how their neighbourhoods are managed.
The last survey completed in Southcote was several years ago and at the time identified antisocial behaviour, drugs and speeding as key issues.. Steps taken to help address those issues since that time have included extra police patrols, youth engagement activities and a community speedwatch event. All of these things have helped to reduce the number of reported complaints in these areas.
People in the Southcote have until Wednesday 14th March, to complete a survey form and make their views count.
The survey is available at www.uknags.org.uk via the Southcote page, or by visitinghttp://www.surveymonkey.com/S/KSC2LBW.
Alternatively people can pick up a survey form from the Southcote Advice Shop or attend a public meeting at 7pm on Wednesday March 14 at the Main Hall, Southcote Youth & Community Centre in Coronation Square.
Rachel Eden, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Housing and Neighbourhoods, said: “It’s really important to get as many views as possible so that the local police and your council can work with the community to address the things that matter most. I’d encourage all residents to go online, pick up a survey at the advice shop or attend the meeting on 14th March to ensure their opinions count.”
The Southcote NAG is always looking for new members. If any local residents are able to spare a couple of hours a month to attend meetings, bringing the concerns of friends and neighbours to the attention of the police, council and other relevant organisations, they should contact Julia.wheeler@reading.gov.uk or come to the Public meeting on 14th March.
