Matthew Barber, responsible for the Thames Valley area, addressed a public meeting this month organized by the Wantage Chamber of Commerce.
The meeting, held on Tuesday, May 14, at the King Alfred’s Head, was a response to police data indicating a rise in anti-social behavior throughout 2024.
Data suggested an 81% increase for Wantage, but Mr. Barber explained this included a wider region beyond the town center.
Specifically, the increase in anti-social behavior within the town of Wantage was just 7%.
Mr. Barber remarked, “The headline cited an 81% rise in anti-social behavior for Wantage. However, the Wantage neighborhood area encompasses a large geographic span, including Harwell, Steventon, Wantage, and Grove. Within the town of Wantage itself, the increase was 7%.
“I’m not suggesting there are no issues, but it presents a quite different perspective. Local reports on social media highlight concerns and there are genuine crime issues in Wantage, which, sadly, persist.”
The police and crime commissioner also noted a significant increase in shoplifting charges.
He stated, “Shoplifting has become more prevalent in recent years, with an 80% rise in charges in the past year in Wantage. This reflects effectiveness in policing as it’s about apprehending offenders. Yes, anti-social behavior (ASB) has increased, and some challenges are expected over the summer as is the case in all towns.
“Do we have an uncontrollable crime epidemic? I can confidently say no. I’m not worried about visiting Wantage. It remains a very safe place, and we should feel confident and secure here.”
Wantage Town Council previously noted, “Active measures are being taken to tackle the rise by enhancing neighborhood policing resources. Furthermore, efforts are being made to improve ASB reporting channels, which should lead to better incident recording and more comprehensive data for understanding the issue.
“We must acknowledge that high-profile incidents, such as those captured on social media, can exaggerate the perceived magnitude of the problem. While police responses are often prompt and effective, they may not always be visible to the public as initial event footage. Nevertheless, the community can rest assured that authorities are taking appropriate actions to address these issues.”
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