Liberal Democrats Act on Residents' Survey Findings

Reading Liberal Democrats have written to Thames Valley Police after a residents' survey identified the anti-social use of e-bikes and e-scooters — and their connection to drug dealing — as the single biggest concern facing local communities.

The survey, carried out earlier this year, received a significant number of responses from residents across Reading. E-bike and e-scooter-related anti-social behaviour topped the list of local concerns, with residents naming specific hotspots across the town.

Liberal Democrat Councillors have written to local Neighbourhood Policing Teams asking how the new Public Spaces Protection Order — introduced by Reading Borough Council and Thames Valley Police in March — is being deployed, and what residents should do to ensure their reports of incidents result in visible action.

The Councillors say they will also be pushing the council for a full breakdown of enforcement activity under the PSPO since it came into force, and to ensure that all Councillors have a proper opportunity to scrutinise its impact.

Cllr James Moore, Liberal Democrat councillor for Tilehurst ward, said: “Residents across Reading were clear. This is affecting their quality of life, and they want to see action. We welcome the PSPO, but we now need to know it is being enforced effectively — and we will keep pushing until we have answers.”

The survey also highlighted other significant priorities for residents across Reading, such as road and pavement repairs. Liberal Democrat councillors say they will be raising each of these issues in turn over the coming months.