Thames Valley Police

[Cookham Webmaster]

We have been down at Bourne End & Cockmarsh this afternoon in preparation for our police operation this weekend. This is to deter any anti-social behaviour. We hope everyone enjoys the nice weather which is forecast however please remember to stay safe.

We have been given the authority to call in some extra manpower and carry out an operation to have three double crewed vehicles out this weekend as temperatures increase again. We will be concentrating our attention on Spade Oak, The Marina, in and around access points to river bridge and although it is actually Berkshire we will also be checking activities at The Bounty and other licensed establishments. We will be looking for groups carrying alcohol although as they pointed out that in itself is not an offence.

Windsor and Maidenhead Police are believed to be carrying out a similar operation their side of the river. British Transport Police will also be down again keeping an eye on their property(the station and the car park and also the bridge. All positive things. Sadly the police say despite calls and emails the Environment Agency have not returned with any pro active actions that they can offer. TVP stressed again that if any anti social behaviour is seen please call 101.

[aj]

I'm not sure I particularly relish the tone of this communication, which I think could have been phrased much more positively.
While I appreciate that there has been some disruption in the area it hardly rises to the level I witnessed years ago during the London riots, and I think a measured response of positive reinforcement would have been more appropriate.

As a law-abiding member of the public it is my intention to visit the area during the weekend in order to enjoy a peaceful drink at the Bounty. During my visit I hope to see both members of the public and the police treating each other with mutual respect.

In the light of recent incidents where some concern has been raised over the conduct of the police in regard to their interactions with members of the public, particularly those from BAME minority groups, I am a little concerned to read comments like QUOTE 'we will be looking for groups carrying alcohol although as *they* pointed out that in itself is not an offence'. UNQUOTE

I don't know who the *they* being referred to are in this post but let me be quite clear that if I see any altercations between the police and members of the public, I will not hesitate to record these as an independent witness, streaming the video directly to the cloud to avoid any 'misunderstanding' that might occur as a consequence.

It looks to be a fair and sunny weekend. I trust everyone visiting the Cockmarsh and Spade Oak areas, including the Bounty, enjoys the weather and that the police will exercise restraint and consideration. I should be clear that any wilful damage to private property or trespass is utterly unacceptable and I fully support the police in any initiative to protect property owners in the area, however, these measures need to be proportionate and so if we see parties being searched on spurious grounds (for which the comments in the official post hardly reassure), then I think this will have crossed a line and damage the trust between the public and the police. You will recall that early in the lockdown, some police officers expressed enthusiasm for searching bags for 'non-essential purchases' such as Easter eggs. It is because some individuals on both sides can behave inappropriately that I am asking for restraint, courtesy and a very low key policing operation. There will be families with young children in the area and I do not want them to witness violence triggered by aggressive policing or stupid behaviour on the part of certain members of the public.

[Roger]

I wonder if it was because of the couple of deaths recently.