• Support Wokingham Today
  • Get the print edition
  • Sign up for our daily newsletter
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Wokingham.Today
  • HOME
  • MY AREA
    • All
    • Arborfield
    • Barkham
    • Beech Hill
    • Binfield
    • Bracknell
    • Charvil
    • Crowthorne
    • Earley
    • Emmbrook
    • Finchampstead
    • Grazeley
    • Henley
    • Hurst
    • Lower Earley
    • Norreys
    • Reading
    • Remenham
    • Riseley
    • Shinfield
    • Sindlesham
    • Sonning
    • Spencers Wood
    • Swallowfield
    • Three Mile Cross
    • Twyford
    • Wargrave
    • Winnersh
    • Wokingham
    • Wokingham Without
    • Woodley
    • Woosehill
    • Yateley
    Honesty is set to open in Wokingham town centre. Pic: Andrew Batt.

    New cafe set to open in Wokingham town hall

    McDonald's in Wokingham

    Countdown is on for McDonald’s in Wokingham as opening date revealed

    The borough's Hong Kong community is dismayed and fearful about what a Government white paper will mean for them. Picture: Emma Merchant

    ‘Please don’t abandon us’, says borough’s Hong Kong community

    Premier division action from the Bracknell Sunday League. Pic: Andrew Batt.

    Line-up revealed for Bracknell Sunday League

    8-10 High Street image of proposed flats, credit Husbands and Partners Architects

    Major town centre flats plan refused by council

    An art exhibition in Wokingham Library shows off the talents of CLASP Wokingham members. Pictures: Emma Merchant

    Every picture tells a story: CLASP artists display their work

    Amazing prizes are up for grabs, including at the Oakingham Belle.

    Your chance to win a wedge

    The council is asking for your help.

    Still time to complete budget survey

    Last year Adblock Reading & Wokingham, part of the Adfree Cities group, raised a petition against the installation of digital ad screens at Wokingham bus shelters. The issue will be discussed  this month.

    Naturally Speaking: Are digital ads unhelpful?

  • SPORT
    • All
    • Binfield FC
    • Reading FC
    Reading FC

    ‘Worst kit we’ve ever had’: Reading FC fans give mixed reactions to release of new home kit

    Jon Dadi Bodvarsson

    Former Reading FC striker released by League One club

    Reading FC Women

    ‘We want to do more to help them, but we have a list of priorities’: Rob Couhig speaks on Reading FC Women

    Premier division action from the Bracknell Sunday League. Pic: Andrew Batt.

    Line-up revealed for Bracknell Sunday League

    Ruben Selles

    Former Reading FC boss Ruben Selles appointed as Sheffield United manager

    Reading FC co-owners Todd Trosclair and Rob Couhig

    Reading FC making ‘very good progress on players’ says co-owner

    Paudie O'Connor Picture: Wikimedia Commons

    Reading FC set to sign Lincoln City captain on free transfer

    Ruben Selles

    Former Reading FC boss front runner for top Championship job

    Rob Couhig

    Reading FC owner Rob Couhig: ‘Our transfer window has the potential to be spectacular’

  • READING FC
  • COMMUNITY

    Come and Give WADE a Try!

    Honesty is set to open in Wokingham town centre. Pic: Andrew Batt.

    New cafe set to open in Wokingham town hall

    The borough's Hong Kong community is dismayed and fearful about what a Government white paper will mean for them. Picture: Emma Merchant

    ‘Please don’t abandon us’, says borough’s Hong Kong community

    An art exhibition in Wokingham Library shows off the talents of CLASP Wokingham members. Pictures: Emma Merchant

    Every picture tells a story: CLASP artists display their work

    Amazing prizes are up for grabs, including at the Oakingham Belle.

    Your chance to win a wedge

    The council is asking for your help.

    Still time to complete budget survey

    Last year Adblock Reading & Wokingham, part of the Adfree Cities group, raised a petition against the installation of digital ad screens at Wokingham bus shelters. The issue will be discussed  this month.

    Naturally Speaking: Are digital ads unhelpful?

    The Redan on Peach Street, Wokingham.

    ‘Noise nuisance’ review for pub

    Blandy & Blandy?s chair, Claire Dyer, a partner and head of the firm?s Family Law team, presented a cheque to both charities earlier this month.

    Law firm donates to local charities

  • LIFESTYLE
    • All
    • Food
    • Health
    • Obituaries
    • People
    Honesty is set to open in Wokingham town centre. Pic: Andrew Batt.

    New cafe set to open in Wokingham town hall

    McDonald's in Wokingham

    Countdown is on for McDonald’s in Wokingham as opening date revealed

    Amazing prizes are up for grabs, including at the Oakingham Belle.

    Your chance to win a wedge

    The Redan on Peach Street, Wokingham.

    ‘Noise nuisance’ review for pub

    Blandy & Blandy?s chair, Claire Dyer, a partner and head of the firm?s Family Law team, presented a cheque to both charities earlier this month.

    Law firm donates to local charities

    Peter Lean

    The project, organised by Wokingham Lions Club started in March 2024.

    Two new shops to host share bins

    Health secretary Wes Streeting with Yuan Yang MP.

    MP celebrates falling waiting lists

    Images from the Mindset Unlimited Festival. Pic: Stewart Turkington.

    A treat for your mind and body

  • WHAT’S ON
    • All
    • Arts
    • Entertainment
    Shaun the Sheep Picture: Pixabay

    Shaun the Sheep flocks to Reading town centre this summer

    The event is at Dinton Pastures Country Park..

    Celebrating dads with free family fun day

    More than 6,000 people are expected to attend the event.

    Woodley Carnival returns on Saturday

    A series of short horror films made by local filmmakers will be shown at Reading's Biscuit Factory on July 17. Picture: Alexander Krivitskiy via Unsplash

    Local filmmakers bring spooky horror shorts to Reading Biscuit Factory

    The summer show is happening on Saturday.

    Vote for your favourites at Twyford summer show

    Steam railways

    Steam specials to depart from Reading in railway’s 200th year

    BWCB, here in rehearsal, will perform a night of movie music in July. Picture BWCB

    Enjoy a film music night for charity

    An afternoon of jazz and afternoon tea will raise funds for The Cowshed in July. Picture: Zeno Aras via Unsplash

    Uplifting July jazz afternoon promises to fizz in Waltham St Lawrence

    The Bucket List Wishes Summer Festival is taking place at Highfield Park, Hook, from 2.30pm-10.30pm on Saturday, July 5.

    Bucket List Wishes Summer Festival to return in July

  • JOBS
  • ADVERTISE
  • CONTACT
No Result
View All Result
Wokingham.Today
No Result
View All Result
Home Featured

Suspected ‘cuckoo’ drug dealers thrown out of Wokingham nest

by Daniel Blackham
January 30, 2023
in Featured, Norreys
The Norreys property which has been subject to a partial closure Picture: Wokingham Borough Council

The Norreys property which has been subject to a partial closure Picture: Wokingham Borough Council

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

THREE suspected drug dealers have been kicked out of a council house in Wokingham where it’s believed they were living without permission and exploiting the tenant.

Wokingham Borough Council and Thames Valley Police joined forces to secure a partial closure order on the property, on the Norreys estate, which runs until Thursday, April 6.

During this time, only specific people including council staff or police officers may enter while anyone else will be pursued for prosecution.

The authorities will regularly visit to check no-one is breaching the order and have pledged to work together to crack down on this problem across the borough.

The trio occupying the property, who had links to the borough but weren’t tenants, were arrested on suspicion of modern slavery offences and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

They are now subject to a criminal investigation by Thames Valley Police.

Related posts

Wokingham racing driver Bobby Trundley creates ‘super team’ with Club Enduro

++ UPDATED ++ Residents without water after burst water main

This is believed to have been a case of “cuckooing”, in which criminals move into someone’s home and then increasingly abuse and control them, usually using violence or threats.

Members of the public reported concerns to the council about the property, including unfamiliar people coming and going at all hours or loitering outside.

It had become a magnet for nuisance noise, with doors banging and other disturbances day and night.

The council’s community safety team worked with the police to respond to these reports, who visited unannounced on Tuesday, January 3, and found the three suspects inside.

Both organisations worked together to secure the partial closure order at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Friday, January 6.

The council is still working to protect the tenant’s mental and physical wellbeing.

Perpetrators of cuckooing are often linked to “county lines” gangs moving drugs from London to sell in surrounding regions.

Their victims may be vulnerable due to addictions or mental or physical health problems.

The perpetrators may know the victim, who may even see them as “friends”, and will slowly take control of every aspect of their lives – where they go, who they talk to and when they may enter or leave their own home.

They may claim the victim owes a debt and use this to justify their behaviour.

The council believes there is a growing number of incidents of this in the borough, and said it shares residents’ concerns.

Its community safety team has drawn up an action plan, in partnership with the police, that identifies a small minority of people and properties causing harassment, alarm and distress.

Cllr Ian Shenton, executive member for environment, sport and leisure, said: “We will not let people get away with this horrific crime, which causes huge suffering to those least able to protect themselves, and encourage anyone who suspects it’s happening to report it.

“Victims’ lives become totally controlled so we’re working with the police and other organisations to ensure they’re supported after their ordeal ends – whether that’s help with an addiction, social isolation, housing, a mental health problem or something else.

“It’s hard to face the fact that your ‘friends’ have exploited you and some victims don’t have anybody else to turn to, so it’s paramount that we offer that lifeline and prevent further harm as they readjust to normal life.”

Anyone who is worried for their own situation, or that of someone else, can contact the police on the 101 non-emergency number or dial 999 if they believe there is an immediate danger.

Alternatively, they can report concerns at www.thamesvalley.police.uk

To report issues with anti-social behaviour, contact the council’s in-house team at [email protected] or visit www.wokingham.gov.uk

Keep up to date by signing up for our daily newsletter

We don’t spam we only send our newsletter to people who have requested it.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Tags: wokingham newsWokingham ukwoky uk
Previous Post

Reading FC Women bring Jade Moore back to club on loan deal from Manchester United

Next Post

Look out – Wokingham’s blue bags are on their way

FOLLOW US

POPULAR THIS WEEK

The borough's Hong Kong community is dismayed and fearful about what a Government white paper will mean for them. Picture: Emma Merchant

‘Please don’t abandon us’, says borough’s Hong Kong community

June 19, 2025
Raver Tots

Raver Tots is back in Reading: Featuring Headliners So Solid Crew, Artful Dodger and General Levy

June 16, 2025
Shinfield School Picture: Wokingham Borough Council

New primary school plans for area facing shortfall approved

June 15, 2025
Reading FC Women

‘We want to do more to help them, but we have a list of priorities’: Rob Couhig speaks on Reading FC Women

June 19, 2025
The annual summer garden party.

Blandy & Blandy celebrates successful year

June 14, 2025
Wokingham Borough Council is considering introducing charges to the car park next to the Berkshire Museum of Aviation Picture: Phil Creighton

New car park charges for Aviation museum

June 15, 2025

ABOUT US

Wokingham Today is dedicated to providing news online across the whole of the Borough of Wokingham. It is a Social Enterprise, existing to support the various communities in Wokingham Borough.

Wokingham.Today is a Social Enterprise and aims to ensure that everyone within the Borough has free access to independent and up-to-date news. However, providing this service is not without costs. If you are able to, please make a contribution to support our work.

CONTACT US

[email protected]

Keep up to date with our daily newsletter

We don’t spam we only send our newsletter to people that have subscribed

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

  • Support Us
  • Book Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Get the Print Edition
  • Sign up for our daily newsletter

The Wokingham Paper Ltd publications are regulated by IPSO – the Independent Press Standards Organisation.
If you have a complaint about a  The Wokingham Paper Ltd  publication in print or online, you should, in the first instance, contact the publication concerned, email: [email protected], or telephone: 0118 327 2662. If it is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should contact IPSO by telephone: 0300 123 2220, or visit its website: www.ipso.co.uk. Members of the public are welcome to contact IPSO at any time if they are not sure how to proceed, or need advice on how to frame a complaint.

No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • MY AREA
    • Arborfield
    • Barkham
    • Beech Hill
    • Binfield
    • Bracknell
    • Charvil
    • Crowthorne
    • Earley
    • Emmbrook
    • Finchampstead
    • Grazeley
    • Henley
    • Hurst
    • Lower Earley
    • Norreys
    • Reading
    • Remenham
  • COMMUNITY
  • LIFESTYLE
  • SPORT
  • READING FC
  • OBITUARIES
  • WHAT’S ON
  • JOBS
  • PHOTOS
  • ADVERTISE WITH US
  • CONTACT US
  • WHERE TO GET THE PRINT EDITION
  • SUPPORT US

© 2022 - The Wokingham Paper Ltd - All Right Reserved.