Attack in Reading Options

[Tony Brooks]

Today, the Reading Chronicle have published an article about an attack on a boater nr. Fobney lock in Reading on the K&A. They seemed to imply this was an isolated incident until I reported ongoing problems at Fobney during the summer months, having suffered a similar, but less bloody, attack in the past.

They say that both the Police and BW have no records of problems in this area when I know I reported my incident to BW.

Might I ask anyone who has suffered any form of attack, threatening behaviour, or just being made to feel uneasy around Reading's waterways to email mobrien@berksmedia.co.uk so they can see this is not an isolated incident.

Many thanks to anyone who sends an email.

[WJM]

The area around Fobney seems very popular with young sporting gentlemen who eschew helmets or number-plates while astride their motorised bicycling machines. And splendid young chaps they are, refreshed with a pale continental brew and proudly displaying their decorative skin etchings. Unfortunately, navigational constraints have prevented my taking the time out to moor up and share their nocturnal automobile-fuelled campfire revelry!

[Chertsey]

Would it not be better to report incidents to the police and/or BW? The media will only report what they want to report regardless of what evidence they are offered, and may well not want to run a story which may be perceived to be detrimental to local business (their advertisers).

[Tony Brooks]

Would it not be better to report incidents to the police and/or BW? The media will only report what they want to report regardless of what evidence they are offered, and may well not want to run a story which may be perceived to be detrimental to local business (their advertisers).

Yes, if:-

1. The police will actually log it. IO had a terrible job getting a number out of Reading police when my boat was cast adrift just above a weir at night (Staffordshire police are just as bad!).

2. IF BW log the report and the admit to it. In this case I used the BW report system (for my incident) yet according to the paper BW deny any knowledge of problems here

In both cases it is far easier to make it look like an isolated incident than it is to address the problem. At this site there is already a Thames water CCTV system but its pointing the wrong way so I do not see it as difficult for BW & TW to cooperate to fit another CCTV camera. I suggested this to BW about three years ago but...............

[denboy]

which ones fobney lock i had bit of hassle with some kids at the one with the water wheel on it a few weeks back

[Tony Brooks]

which ones fobney lock i had bit of hassle with some kids at the one with the water wheel on it a few weeks back

Fobney is the second BW lock going upstream. first there is County actually in Reading and then Fobney.

[saltysplash]

As soon as you contact the police by phone, the operator should, start a CAD record of the call, even if the incident is for information only and requires no deployment, an incident record should be created. You shoould ask for this incident or Cad number before you end the call. Its not a crime number just a record of your call

[Tony Brooks]

As soon as you contact the police by phone, the operator should, start a CAD record of the call, even if the incident is for information only and requires no deployment, an incident record should be created. You shoould ask for this incident or Cad number before you end the call. Its not a crime number just a record of your call

Should!

At Reading I reported the casting adrift in person and had to ask for their maritime law expert before I got any sort of number.

Staffordshire police told me to wait by a phone box until an officer contacted me and no, they could not tell me how long it would take. It then took three letters to the chief constable before I got a number.

Sorry, but my experience is that they will try to do or say anything to avoid recording incidents.

[NB Alnwick]

Sadly, Reading is one of those places best avoided - if we have to pass through, we try to do so in the morning while the louts are still in bed.

[saltysplash]

Should!

At Reading I reported the casting adrift in person and had to ask for their maritime law expert before I got any sort of number.

Staffordshire police told me to wait by a phone box until an officer contacted me and no, they could not tell me how long it would take. It then took three letters to the chief constable before I got a number.

Sorry, but my experience is that they will try to do or say anything to avoid recording incidents.

Thats why i said "Should".


Dont end the call untill you get an incident number

[Chris Pink]

which ones fobney lock i had bit of hassle with some kids at the one with the water wheel on it a few weeks back

that's the one, over the watermeadows just before the roads and built-up Reading

[matty40s]

Looks like it's going to be a fun 2010 IWA Annual bash then, back in Reading again next year.

[sueb]

Sadly, Reading is one of those places best avoided - if we have to pass through, we try to do so in the morning while the louts are still in bed.

That is sad. We moor in Reading regulary. We have a house there. It is only Fobney lock that is a problem and we, like you, go through in the morning. By Tesco and the prison are fine. Homebase has cctv from the Pru covering it. There is a Theatre and a good shopping centre.
Maybe a letter to the chamber of comerce or whatever the org is may bring results.
Sue

[O'Mali]

Should!

At Reading I reported the casting adrift in person and had to ask for their maritime law expert before I got any sort of number.

Staffordshire police told me to wait by a phone box until an officer contacted me and no, they could not tell me how long it would take. It then took three letters to the chief constable before I got a number.

Sorry, but my experience is that they will try to do or say anything to avoid recording incidents.

Trouble is they have put so much effort in to keeping the town centres clear of yobs, the last thing they want to do is police the vary areas the CCTV has pushed the yobs out to. They are "out of the way" on the cut.

[Mike the Boilerm...]

Fobney is the second BW lock going upstream. first there is County actually in Reading and then Fobney.

Just to clarify, although Fobney Lock is the 2nd BW lock it's actually the third lock you encounter going upstream. The first lock is Blakes Lock about 500 yds upstream from Kennet mouth but this is an EA lock run as a Thames lock. The second lock is County Lock and notable for being only about a foot deep. The third lock is Fobney Lock and this is the one with the trouble.

Fobney Lock is close to the very roughest parts of Reading and yet very secluded. There is a track to the lock which often has bazzed-up Saxos and Novas racing up and down it, and youths congregate to swim in the lock or just hang around. It can be very intimidating when you arrive there to find 20 teenagers sitting on the balance beams, jumping in the lock, drinking and generally being loutish. You instantly become the centre of attention. We generally find them fairly benign however and they are usually keen to help work the lock if you let them. It can get difficult if they start demanding alcohol (if they saw us drinking), rides on the boat or a look around inside. Best to arrive at the lock with alcohol concealed, all glasses/empties cleared away and the front and side doors closed and locked.

The lock is widely known for being a trouble spot. Ask any local boater (or any serious fisherman probably too). I've definitely seen a warning about Fobney being a trouble spot in a published K&A guide. I though it was Nicholsons Guide 7 Thames and the Southern Waterways but I've just checked my 2009 edition and I'm surprised to see it says nothing. I have a much older edition somewhere (probably 2003) but I can't find it now, it's probably in the boat. The comment may be in there. I'll check next time I go to the boat.

Cheers, Mike

This post has been edited by mike bryant: Jun 25 2009, 09:12 PM

[Richard Fairhurs...]

Would it not be better to report incidents to the police and/or BW? The media will only report what they want to report regardless of what evidence they are offered, and may well not want to run a story which may be perceived to be detrimental to local business (their advertisers).

Change the record, this one's stuck. I remember writing stories about trouble in Fobney Lock in Canal Boat back in about 1999. Believe it or not, we didn't ask what the advertisers thought.

[dasboot]

Change the record, this one's stuck. I remember writing stories about trouble in Fobney Lock in Canal Boat back in about 1999. Believe it or not, we didn't ask what the advertisers thought.

Only because the New Boat Co/Steve Harral/Whilton didn't have a chocolate and strawberry outlet there.

[Richard Fairhurs...]

Er, hate to tell you, but the New Boat Co do have an outlet in Reading.

[dasboot]

Er, hate to tell you, but the New Boat Co do have an outlet in Reading.

At the Thames and Kennett marina on the River Thames, correct. Some considerable cruising distance and a different world from Fobney Lock on the River Kennet.

Good to see that you're sensitive to the criticism that you serve advertisers better than you do your readers, and noted that as I write Kevin Blick of Canal Boat is logged in to this topic too.

[Richard Fairhurs...]

Good to see that you're sensitive to the criticism that you serve advertisers better than you do your readers

I'm sensitive to any unfounded criticism. Though I suspect you're neither an advertiser nor a reader.