We are currently renovating the paddling pool area in Woodford Park. The benches have been repositioned on concrete and repainted. The paddling pool is to have a new liner and other alterations. We will announce shortly when the paddling pool will reopen. We appreciate your patience and support while we update and improve this popular area.

Come along and enjoy FREE Afternoon Tea in the Miles Suite at the Oakwood Centre in Woodley on Saturday 13th April 11.00-14.00

Woodley town centre is to host its first music festival in July

SAVE THE DATE – SATURDAY 6th JULY – 16.00-20.00

SUMMERTIME STREET PARTY

CENTRE STAGE WOODLEY TOWN CENTRE

Woodley is your town, so if you would like to be involved, please attend the next TCMI Meeting on Wednesday 17th April 18.00 at the Oakwood Centre. For further information, please contact the Town Centre Manager: towncentremanager@woodley.gov.uk

Thames Valley Police warn of handbag scam thefts at local supermarkets

Residents across the Bracknell and Wokingham districts are being warned to be vigilant so as not to fall victim to distraction thieves who have recently been active in supermarket car parks.

The  offenders working as a pair target females with handbags who pay for their shopping using a Chip & PIN bank or credit card at which point the thieves, who will have followed their victim to the tills, will take note of the PIN as the victim is entering it into the card reader.

The offenders then follow their victim out in to the car park where they will wait until the victim has loaded all her shopping and her handbag into the car before one of them will then approach the victim claiming to have seen someone bash her car with a trolley whilst she was in the store.
Whilst the victim is  distracted by this conversation a second thief opens a car door or the boot and steals the handbag.

In incidents reported so far the victims have been unaware of the theft until they have got home, by which time the offenders have used the bank cards in ATMs to withdraw the maximum amount of cash.

Offender description

The offender who has distracted victims in the Bracknell area is described as been a white adult male, (mid 30s) speaking English but with an eastern European accent; 5’9” – 6’ tall; slim; clean shaven with neat short cut dark hair and dressed in dark casual clothing and enquiries have confirmed he has been working with a second male.
This scam is not just limited to Bracknell and there are others committing the same scam. In the past week a male and female couple were convicted and imprisoned for 2 years by High Wycombe Magistrates for committing the same style thefts across the Thames Valley region.

If you have witnessed such incidents or have any information that will assist investigations please contact Thames Valley Police on 101.

Preventative measures

To prevent yourself been targeted by these distraction thieves and to prevent unauthorised access to your account with your bank/credit cards:

• Firstly, ensure you prevent others from seeing your PIN whenever you use your bank or credit cards by shielding the key pad.
• Never keep any written record of your PIN in your purse, wallet or handbag.
• Consider carrying your purse and bank cards in a pocket rather than in a handbag.
• On returning to your car check who is around, check your car bodywork and tyres as you approach and have a look around it. If you know there is no damage you will not be drawn into this scam.

Think handbag security, if you put it in the car or boot first don’t leave it lying on top of the shopping in view and easy to snatch.

Image: Martin Richard Aust

Great progress in being made on the developments and improvements to Woodford Park lake, with the boardwalk across the lake now complete.

However, there will be some restrictions in place throughout the year, in order to protect the wildlife.

Access to the small island will be restricted through the nesting season (March-August) by way of a barrier/information board explaining this. Access to the island will be opened up again from August/September. Signage will be installed requesting that dogs be kept on a lead on the boardwalk and feeding platform and that children are accompanied by an adult at all times. Additional information will be provided regarding feeding of the ducks and wildfowl.

All Woodley residents should have received their issue of The Herald. An electronic version is now available to download, along with past issues.

To access The Herald please click HERE.