A CHIEF inspector for Thames Valley Police (TVP) has reassured Reading residents the town is still "a safe place to live and work" despite a recent rise in violent crime.
Chief Inspector Ash Smith, who is also a deputy LPA commander for Reading, has explained what measures police have put in place to continue to keep the public safe.
READ ALSO: Scours Lane stabbing: Man charged with attempted murder.
He said there have been increased reassurance patrols within Reading where neighbourhood officers have been engaging with the public.
It comes as Reading has seen an increase in violent crime, particularly stabbings, in recent months including the Forbury Gardens terror attack in June where a lone knifeman killed three men.
Chief Inspector Smith said: "We have sadly seen an increase in violent related incidents where injuries have been caused and on some occasions weapons have been used."
However, he added "these appear to be isolated at this time".
Arrests have been made in relation to these crimes including today where a man was charged with attempted murder after a woman was stabbed in Scours Lane on Sunday.
Horses have also been patrolling areas such as Whitley and Prospect Park.
Chief Inspector Smith explained horses are an "excellent engagement opportunity for us to reach out to our community".
He said people can engage with the horses and any barriers that might be present can be broken down allowing people to speak to neighbourhood teams on patrol.
Police are also holding Have Your Say events where members of the public can express any concerns they might have and engage with neighbourhood teams.
Despite the rise in violent crime, Chief Inspector Smith believes Reading is still a safe place for people to live and work.
He explained: "We understand our community may be concerned by the increase in violent related incidents but ultimately we want to reassure residents and people who work in Reading that it is a safe place to live and work in and the risk of being a victim of serious assaults in Reading is still extremely low and within Thames Valley Police."
He added: "If crime is being committed, we will be there making sure that if crime or anything happens we robustly pursue people who are committing crime and bring them to justice and continue to support the victims and witnesses in any cases that we deal with."
The force added if anybody has any information to suggest people may be carrying weapons for them to call TVP at the earliest opportunity or call 101 to request to speak to one of the neighbourhood teams if you have any concerns where you live.
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