Neighbourhood teams carried out high-visibility patrols across hotspot areas of South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse yesterday (17/9).
‘Hotspot’ areas tend to be areas which attract certain types of crime. The team patrolled the Nettlebed, Goring, Christmas Common and areas along the B4009 from Chinnor to Watlington. These areas have suffered breaks to out-buildings and sheds, theft from vehicles and hare coursing in the past.
South Oxfordshire and the Vale have the highest rural crime rate compared with the other local policing areas, but it is the largest area too! There were 89 incidents reported in 2012/13 financial year and 78 incidents reported so far this year which shows a 12 per cent decrease at the moment.
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| Patrolling hotspot areas |
Hare coursing and poaching offences have been on the rise though with 73 incidents reported this year and 58 reported last year.
Listen to our podcast about hare coursing to find out more.
To protect your farm out-buildings, consider these crime prevention tips:
· Make sure all windows and door frames and in good repair
· Fit good quality deadlocks which conform to the latest British standards to all external doors
· Fit good quality window locks
· Consider installing security lights
· If you are interested in installing intruder alarms, get comprehensive advice from a reputable security company who conform to the national standards such as the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) or the Security Systems and Alarm Inspection Board (SSAIB)
· Be aware of any suspicious activity or crime happening in your area by signing up to the Country Watch messaging service.
During the patrols, the team visited 23 farms to give general crime prevention advice and delivered 53 Country Watch packs and gate signs while out and about. On visits to Thame, Faringdon and Watlington weekly markets, 100 people were signed up to Thames Valley and Country Watch alerts.
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