DAY 13: Windsor and Maidenhead team set up shop



The Windsor and Maidenhead team had a successful day yesterday setting up the mobile police station at the Windsor Farm Shop. Between 11am and 4pm, the team had a steady flow of visitors coming to see them throughout the day and as well as rural crime prevention advice, they spoke to many non-farming residents about metal theft, fly tipping and general home security.



The team at Windsor Farm Shop



Anne Chalmers, the Crime Prevention and Reduction Advisor for the area then crewed up with two officers and headed out to Windsor where they visited seven farms and 10 farms in Ascot to discuss access security, agricultural machinery marking and oil and diesel security. Six of the residents visited signed up to Country Watch Alerts (the others were already signed up!).

Nigel Berryman, who farms on the Crown Estate said of the advice he has recieved: “I’ve certainly found it very useful. For us living on the urban fringe it’s great to see the police being more proactive with rural crime than they have ever been before.”

Anne and the team have more visits to do this week in the Maidenhead area, so keep a look out for them!

If you haven’t had the opportunity to check out the Country Watch messaging system yet, visit the site and sign yourself up. You will receive up to date crime news, witness appeals and crime prevention advice from your local neighbourhood policing team which is relevant to you area and the rural and farming community. You can also find some useful advice on the site about how to better protect your property and land.



DAY 12: Datatag security marking event at Wheatlands Farm



For their second day, the team on Wokingham LPA took on a day of rural crime prevention action in the form of security marking with Thames Valley Rural Crime Partners, Datatag.

The team set up at Wheatlands Farm in Finchampstead and throughout the day fitted two farm vehicles with the Datatag security kit and 23 saddles marked in total using the saddles security system supplied by Datatag and an engraving tool.

Nicola Greenward, who is a member of the Rural Crime Action Group and was on site throughout the day, said she was pleased with the turnout and some people had driven over specifically to get their tack marked.

There was lots of interest expressed at the event, in particular for another event to be held in conjunction with a pony or riding club where horseboxes and trailer could also be security marked.

If you’re part of a pony or riding club and would like to hold an event of your own, get in touch with your local neighbourhood team by calling 101 or email them via the website.

Thames Valley Police continue to offer a discount on Datatag’s plant machinery and tack marking security systems to residents living in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. The standard price for the CESAR kit is £178.80 (including VAT). The Thames Valley Police discount allows residents to have the kit installed for £105.60 (including VAT).



Rural police officers speak to a passer by on a routine patrol