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Robberies in Bracknell still low despite 'spike'

By Becky Barnes
November 20, 2012

A ‘spike' in robberies during October will feed police patrol patterns, says Bracknell’s Chief Inspector.

Ch Insp Simon Bowden said patrols have been increased in Harmans Water, Wildridings and Crowthorne following a spate of incidents, even though robberies are still 50 per cent down on this time last year.

Robbers posed as police for two attacks in Wildridings on Thursday, October 18, and a woman was mugged in an underpass near Wildridings on Monday, October 22.

An elderly woman was robbed in Crowthorne on Wednesday, October 24, and there was an armed robbery at Eden Bookmakers in Harmans Water Road on Wednesday, October 31.

There have been 16 robberies so far this year – compared to 32 at this point in 2011. Ch Insp Bowden said: “We are investigating all of these, working on two different individual patterns and waiting for arrests once we have evidence.

“Robbery is a horrible crime – you have got to look at the impact it has had.

“With the elderly woman in Crowthorne it has had terrible impact on her and her family.

“But we are 50 per cent down on last year and of the 32 last year we detected 31.”

Detective Inspector Mick Squire said: “People see it as one opportunity for easy money but it is a horrendous crime.”

Ch Insp Bowden added: “All the incidents are recorded to feed our patrol patterns.

“We want to reassure residents and talk to them and let them know why police are there.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101.

See page 3 for more about the Crowthorne robbery.

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As a Tennis instructor and confirmed moral citizen I would like to add to this by saying I always knew I was better than most people round here. It’s nice to have that made official.Thank you Get Bracknell and all Police Officers everywhere.