Residents invited to attend series of Safer Neighbourhood Forums

Residents are invited to attend a series of safer neighbourhood forums, which will take place across Reading over the next month. These collaborative, resident-led evenings will encourage local involvement and provide an opportunity for residents to discuss what’s happening in their community and how to make it safer.

The forums allow residents to meet with officers from Thames Valley Police and Reading Borough Council to flag concerns, offer suggestions, and have their say on local crime and anti-social behaviour issues.

Residents are encouraged to attend the following events in 2025, all from 7pm to 8.30pm:

• 26 February: South (Whitley Wood Community Centre, RG2 8UG)
• 5 March: Town Centre (Biscuit Factory, RG1 7QE)
• 10 March: West (Norcot Mission Church, RG30 4YP)
• 17 March: East Reading (Sun Street Community Centre, RG1 3JX)
• 18 March: Coley (Coley Park Community Centre, RG1 6DW)
• 20 March: Oxford Road (Argyle Community Church, Argyle Road, RG1 7YL)
• 26 March: South (Hexham Community Centre, RG2 7UD)

Updates can be found online on the Reading Services Directory’s Safer Neighbourhood Forums page.

Councillor's response

Councillor Karen Rowland, Lead Councillor for Environmental Services and Community Safety

"We’re working really hard to make Reading a safer place which everyone can live in, visit and enjoy with confidence. But to help us to ensure our priorities are in line to achieve the best results, we need input from our residents to tell us what is happening in their local community and what they think is needed to help improve them.

“The safer neighbourhood forums are the perfect opportunity for residents to use their voice and help us to shape a better Reading for the future. At these meetings residents have the opportunity to speak directly to police, council officers and councillors to ensure that their issues are addressed.

“We’ve already invested in increased CCTV equipment, better lighting and the Reading Safe Space in the town centre, and we want to keep that momentum up. But we know there is more to do, so I urge residents to come along to the forums and let us know what needs more attention in their community to make it safer. We look forward to welcoming you there!"