Safer Langley

• A fantasic volunteer day was held in Langley on 16 April, led by Viva Slough. Volunteers cut back hedges in the peace garden at Langley Pavilion and they installed Safer Langley signs in the park, near the college and Harrow Market and by the train station. Staff in the council's community safety team also took part and tested out graffiti wipes, with great success. Future work will include further works in the peace garden and more graffiti clearance. Watch this space!
• An innovative Entrepreneur Skills Challenge has helped prepare students for the transition from education to employment. Funded under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), and developed through collaboration with the Safer Langley partnership, this interactive, game-based learning experience provided students at Langley College with a unique opportunity to learn some new skills. Led by the company Engage Lime, the sessions on 24 March enabled students from business skills, IT and hairdressing courses, to take part in a structured simulation game. 
• Slough Launchpad event - 20 March. This event was for local entrepreneurs and start-ups.
• Slough Youth Action organised anti knife crime workshops at Langley College on 19 March and attended with a team including doctors and nurses, police officers, youth workers, family and friends to victims of knife crime, and a team of passionate Slough Youth Action volunteers. With more than 250 students present, Thames Valley Police officers conducted a workshop and spoke about the reality of the effects of knife crime. Other sessions included youth engagement, basic life support (CPD training) and bleed kit training.
• Locating a cannabis factory and closing it down. Arresting one male on suspicion of cultivating cannabis.
• A plain clothes drugs operation in Langley Memorial park. 10 people were stop searched by uniformed officers. 
• Arrests of 3 prolific shoplifters who are targeting Trelawney Avenue. They were all remanded and sent to court (updates to come!).
• Arrest of 3 persons on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class B drugs and possession of prohibited weapons. A huge amount of cannabis was recovered from an address. 
• Arrest of 2 persons on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and possession of prohibited weapons. 
• Closure order obtained at an address in Langley due to crime linked to the address.
• Police officers continue their patrols and engagements at schools and events.
• Street Guardians have been patrolling in Langley, dependant on volunteers available. Read this article to find out more about the project and how to get involved.
• Hotspot mapping workshop with youths.
• Update on activities and new initiatives - includes NAG meeting, Crimestoppers work, youth sessions and a planned event - Feb 2025.
• Crimestoppers campaign launched to ensure Langley residents know that they can report information about crime anonymously.
• School safeguarding leads informed about fearless.org, the youth service from the charity Crimestoppers which provides information about crime to 11-17s.
• Catapult seizures - December 2024 - Officers seized a number of home made catapults, metal ball bearings and marbles in Langley which were then destroyed. If you have a catapult or item to fire from a catapult with you in public and you have, or you intend to use it to damage property or harm a person or animal, you are committing an offence. Parents are encouraged to speak to their children and not allow them to carry or use such items. Anyone with information about crimes involving capatapults, can report it on the TVP website.  
• Knife crime education in schools - October and November 2024 / ongoing.
• Community Action Day - November 2024.
• Official launch of Safer Langley - November 2024.
• Street Guardians launched - volunteers needed - November 2024.

Since February 2024, extensive efforts have been made to establish and strengthen partnerships with local authorities, community organisations and law enforcement agencies. A key milestone was a two day partnership event at Langley College, attended by 70 partners, including the National Home Office Lead and Regional Lead for Clear, Hold, Build. Insights from this event have shaped the Clear, Hold, Build strategy, emphasising the collaborative nature of addressing serious organised crime and community challenges.

In April 2024, initial funds were secured, as well as the appointment of a dedicated Neighbourhood Policing Team Sergeant, focusing on Langley and Clear, Hold, Build initiatives.

We have developed a community-centric name (Safer Langley) and branding for the initiative, seeking input from partners, youth groups and residents. Engagement activities, such as community safety surveys and student feedback mechanisms aim to capture the voices of the community and guide decision-making processes with a ‘you said, we did’ approach.

Intelligence gathering and the formation of a 'Silver Strategic LRO Group' (to review and drive the ODGs) are underway to ensure a targeted and effective execution of Safer Langley. By fostering collaboration, engaging the community and focusing on targeted interventions, Clear, Hold, Build aims to create a safer and more cohesive environment for all residents in line with Thames Valley Police’s mission to protect our communities.