DAY 32: High visibility patrols in hotspot areas of South Oxfordshire and the Vale

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.



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.

DAY 21: Aylesbury Vale charge 3 for burglary during 100 days of action

The Aylesbury team had a packed ‘day 21’ of the 100 days of action. A proactive operation around the Buckingham villages, Great Brickhill, Wing and Ivinghoe areas resulted in 3 men being arrested and subsequently charged with committing a burglary non-dwelling at Buckingham University.

The men, 33 year-old Kieron Panton from Blythe Close, Bedworth; Michael Walker, aged 23 and from Acacia Road, Nuneaton; and Neil Sugrue, aged 33, also from Acacia Road, Nuneaton, have all been released on bail to attend Aylesbury Magistrates’ Court until 24 September.



High visibility patrols in police 4x4s



The team also spent the day with the TVP Crime Prevention and Reduction Advisor for Buckinghamshire, signing over 80 people up to Thames Valley and Country Watch alerts as well as offering crime prevention advice.



PCSOs signed people up to Thames Valley Alerts messaging service at a local golf club



The Buckingham District neighbourhood team visited addresses in Nash and Great Horwood signing people up to the alerts messaging service and handing out the very useful, little book of big scams and offering advice about cold calling. The little book of big scams can be downloaded from the TVP website and contains information about identity fraud, investment, banking, door-to-door and mobile phone scams (and loads of others!) as well as hints to help protect yourself and what to look out for against these types of crime.



Armed with the little book of big scams, the Buckingham and District neighbourhood team offer crime prevention advice



Country Watch crime prevention stand at Wyevale Garden Centre




Going farm-to-farm, speaking with local farmers about the work that will be going on throughout the week



Later the team joined the Aylesbury Vale District Council Community Safety Partnership at Foscott Auctions to talk to local farmers about Country Watch and some of the work the team will be doing over the next week!