August has been a busy month as always. We have been particularly pre-occupied with Operation Gauntlet which you may have seen publicised or read about in the local newspaper. As I mentioned in last month’s update this is specifically designed to tackle robberies which traditionally rise during the school holidays in August.

We have been conducting high-visibility patrols throughout the Rye and Ryemead areas by drafting in officers from other areas to assist, as well as having a mobile, temporary police stand on the Rye throughout the summer. The operation is not due to finish until early September but initial results appear to show a huge drop in robberies and an increase in public safety and satisfaction. I should have the results by next month. We combined this with a very successful Beat surgery for the second time on the Rye This has not detracted us from our other issues.

Anti-social behaviour We are lucky in Abbey and Ryemead in that we are relatively unaffected by anti-social behaviour, however for those people who do experience it, it can be insufferable. Pockets of young people causing disturbances still abound in West End Road, Beech Road area and Princes Gate. We will continue to patrol these areas as much as possible. Several yellow cards have been issued this month which means the offenders’ parents are informed in the first instance and this has proved to be effective.

Parking The biggest problem we have is in the Fennels Road, Kings Road area of Ryemead. This is an ongoing issue but we have put a lot of pressure on the council this month to start taking action against the offenders.

Speeding Although not technically one of the priorities, displaying is one of the biggest problems in our area. We have put measures in place to stop it in the London Road Retail Park which have worked remarkably well. However this has displaced the problem and now these people have taken to attending the Wycombe Sports Centre. We are aware of the annoyance this causes the residents and will work with the Sports Centre to put a stop to it.

Other issues We had a very successful warrant on an address in Queen’s Road which led to the seizure of a large amount of drugs and stolen goods, and one arrest.

Residents of Melissa Court have been complaining of people sitting up in a disused factory late at night, using the area for unsavoury activities. We are working with the council to find the owners so that measures can be put in place to prevent access to the area.

I hope you have had a pleasant and safe summer. Please remember to call in any anti-social or suspicious incidents. We do not know what’s happening without your help.

September will be a big month for us. Don’t forget the Public Consultation meeting at the Cricket Club on Monday 7 September which is your chance to meet your local police officers and raise points of concern. Please come along and meet us.