A town centre needs to be “reclaimed for ordinary people” amid complaints of rising anti-social behaviour, drug taking and drinking – as councillors blasted Thames Valley Police for not “stepping up” and helping tackle the problem.

Wycombe District Council leader Katrina Wood told her fellow councillors on Monday night that she does not believe the police force is giving anti-social behaviour problems – which she said are “insidiously taking root” across the whole district, but in High Wycombe town centre in particular – the attention it deserves.  

While the district council can create new initiatives and schemes to tackle the issues that force people onto the streets, the council, the police and other charities and organisations need to work together, said Cllr Wood. 

Her comments come as councillors overwhelmingly agreed to back a motion calling on Thames Valley Police (TVP) to give “greater prioritisation to the enforcement of available anti-social behaviour measures.”

The force has recently undergone a restructure that has seen cuts to frontline neighbourhood officers.

Cllr Wood said: “In my capacity as leader of this council, I cannot ignore the fact that my residents and fellow councillors feel anti-social behaviour is on the rise across the district. 

“Whilst we here can implement policies and programmes designed to minimise the social catalysts, we cannot take the law into our own hands. We must rely on Thames Valley Police to pro-actively support us to tackle these issues.

“We must act quickly to prevent any further upscaling in the severity of these crimes. It is with no small amount of dismay that I must report, I do not believe TVP has given the increasing disorder and unrest the focus required to shut it down before it can become too established.

“When beggars chase residents down the street hurling abuse for not handing over money, we need the police to step up and enforce the law. 

“When an alcoholic spends their day verbally or physically abusing ordinary residents, we need the police to step up and enforce the law. 

“And when drug dealers stand outside school gates selling their destructive goods to children, we need the police to step up and enforce the law.”

Cllr Dominic Barnes, deputy leader, said that while the district council has historically enjoyed a good working relationship with the police force, it was “disappointing” that communication has broken down, adding: “We are genuinely concerned that Thames Valley Police has not focused resources and strategy on dealing with low level crimes.”

Meanwhile, Cllr Gary Hall described Frogmoor – which has been plagued by anti-social behaviour and drinking – as a “no-go area for ordinary people”. 

He said: “A multi-agency approach has been talked about but from what I see from the people out there causing the problems, they don’t want someone in a woolly cardigan to go and hold their hand – they are not interested.

“What they need is the strong arm of the law to try and reclaim Frogmoor for ordinary people.” 

Cllr Lesley Clarke agreed that the police need to “step up”, saying: “WDC receives £132 from council tax, police receive £170 and every year theirs go up and we trim our costs and don’t put ours up. If we can do that and provide a lot of services, why can’t they? 

“We don’t see neighbourhood policing any more. I don’t think we’re getting much return on our £170.

“We are getting a bum deal and police need to step up to the mark.”