Published: Tuesday, 8th July, 2008 12:00
Fear as youths prey on old folks' centre
By Inderdeep Bains
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A BOROUGH councillor has raised concerns for an old people’s centre which is being targeted by vandals.
Cynthia Endacott, lead member of the West Windsor Resident’s Association, said that she has received calls from the Spencer Denny Age Concern centre because they have been targeted by youths.
In a Crime and Disorder Forum on Wednesday last week, Cllr Endacott, said: “Anti-social behaviour has been on the increase in the last year, and recently especially since the exam period has finished in the Dedworth area.
“The Age Concern centre have been calling me every other day because they are being targeted and are having problems.”
Incidents of anti-social behaviour at the centre in Park Corner, Dedworth, include youngsters climbing on the roof and causing damage, windows being broken, attempted forced entries and graffiti on walls.
A spokeswomen for the police said: “We have had two reports of criminal damage to the premises in April and May, which the neighbourhood policing team are aware of and there was an attempted burglary at the dwelling reported on June 20, but this is certainly an issue that the neighbourhood policing team are aware of and are investigating.”
Other areas of Dedworth have also experienced incidents of anti-social behaviour. On Friday, June 20, a 15-year-old girl was assaulted as she walked past a youth club held at Dedworth Green Baptist Church in Smith’s Lane.
A 16-year-old girl has now been arrested on suspicion of assault causing actual bodily harm (ABH) and has been bailed until July 20, pending further enquiries.
Neighbourhood specialist officer for Dedworth, PC Graham Slater, said: “All I would say is that it doesn’t appear that this incident was directly related to the Baptist Church youth club but coincidentally happened outside it nearby in the road.
“The neighbourhood police team will continue to monitor this area and residents in this part of Smith’s Lane have recently received a letter drop from police outlining to them how and when to report incidents of anti-social behaviour in the area.”
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