POLICE have put a stop to teenage troublemakers in Sonning Common.

Officers issued eight antisocial behaviour contracts in September and there have been no reported incidents since then.

Police community support officer Colin Boyes told a meeting of Sonning Common Parish Council that warning children was more effective than arresting them.

He said youths used to congregate in the village and cause criminal damage but the contracts had stopped this.

“The idea is not to criminalise people,” he said. “We work in conjunction with [housing association] Soha, South Oxfordshire District Council and the children’s parents and it really does hit home. It is really good to see a positive result.”


Mr Boyes said the problem of teenagers riding quad bikes in residential areas had also stopped, providing “a bit of piece and quiet for everyone”. He reported that parking problems had improved since nine extra spaces were created behind the village hall.

“In the last month I think I have issued one ticket,” he said.

He said the junction of Wood Lane and Woodlands Road continued to be a problem but hoped this would improve now that double yellow lines had been put there.

Mr Boyes warned about door-to-door salesmen operating in the area.

He said: “There are young reformed offenders being bussed into the villages and knocking on people’s doors.

“We can’t do much about it if they have got the right credentials. If they get pushy it causes concern — they do push the elderly who find it hard to say no.

“We do stop and check them and we monitor their movements. A lot seem to come from Nottingham. It is an ongoing problem unfortunately.”

Published 07/01/13