DAY 93: Secure your vehicles

The teams have been busy out and about checking vehicles to ensure they are not stolen and also are roadworthy. To help with security of your vehicles please follow the tips below:

Vehicles, trailers and quad bikes

• Secure and immobilise vehicles and equipment when not in use
• Remove keys from the ignition and keep them somewhere secure
• Don’t leave quad bikes or trailers unattended
• Consider storing vehicles and property in a secured building, if possible
  secured to the ground or wall, or inside a caged area
• Mark trailers and property with farm name and postcode, use a UV pen,
  engraving, stamping, tagging or forensic marking

We still have CESAR discounts available, get in touch with the rural team for more information.

Princes Risborough officers also had to deal with a case of fly tipping, this type of crime spoils the look of our countryside for everyone, if anyone can provide any information about this incident in a lay-by on Lower Icknield Way, Longwick please speak with your local neighbourhood team.

If you see any suspicious activity in your area please report this to the police as soon as possible.   

DAY 92: Hazlemere officers visit stables in the local area

‘Have Your Say’ has continued today this time being run by Marlow officers, the weather was a little damp but this didn’t stop the team from security marking a few bikes that members of the public had brought along.  

Hazlemere officers were visiting stables in the local area and arrangements will be made to return and carry out security marking on their tack.

Princes Risborough officers were out revisiting local farms, again offering security marking and assessments.  If you have not been visited yet but would like officers to attend and help advice with security please contact your local neighbourhood team.  

DAY 91: Wycombe rural area begins their dedicated week of Country Watch

Wycombe rural area has begun their dedicated week of Country Watch with visits to some of our local farms offering equipment marking and also security advice.  This can include cre marking their equipment and tools and offering a farm security assessment.  Golf clubs in the area have also had a visit to mark up their equipment as this can also be a vulnerable area. 

Marlow officers have been out and about with an expert who works within the Datatag industry carrying out traffic and plant stops looking for movement of any suspect or stolen plant or farm machinery.  If you would like more information on the Datatag system please contact your local neighbourhood team as there are opportunities to have machinery and equipment protected at a heavily discounted price at this time.

Hazlemere officers ran a ‘Have Your Say’ meeting at a local Equine Feed and Tack centre this afternoon and were offering tack marking there, again if this is something you would like to have done and couldn’t be there please speak with your local team and an appointment can be arranged.

DAY 90: Metal theft advice, Wallingford

On 24 March police were called to a farm in Cholsey, Wallingford where a long iron girder was stolen.

Investigations are still ongoing.

The theft of metal is a problem, driven by the price of metal on world markets. We strongly recommend that you review the security of your property. Please consider the crime prevention advice in this section to protect your property against metal theft.

In recent years, metal thefts in the Thames Valley have included:

• Lead, copper and stainless steel roof coverings 
• Bay window roofs and roof flashings 
• Lead and copper rainwater pipes 
• Bronze statues 
• Metal garden ornaments 
• Iron gates 
• Church bells 
• Catalytic converters from cars and commercial vehicles

Find out how best to protect your property from metal theft on our website.

DAY 89: Illegal and counterfeit pesticides

Thames Valley Police is currently investigating the distribution and use of illegal pesticides, including counterfeits, across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. 

Illegal pesticides have been found in increasing amounts across the UK and Europe and Thames Valley Police has a particular interest in illegal pesticides, not just because of the risks they pose to the rural communities, but also the links they have to organised crime gangs. There is growing evidence that the illicit activities of such gangs finance other serious crimes such as human trafficking and international terrorism. 

If you notice anything suspicious about pesticides you have either been offered or purchased, please call the 24-hour non-emergency number 101 and mention 'Operation Silo'.

Things to look out for:                                                                                                               

• Does the product look or smell unusual?
• Have you been offered a product which has been described as the same as another but at a discounted rate?
• Have you been sold a product because your first choice was ‘out of stock’?
• Do you have any feelings that a product you have bought isn’t quite right? Are there any unusual symptoms or irregularities (clog spray jets/nozzles etc)?
• Is the packaging unusual or not what you would expect?

The NFU, NFU Mutual, CLA, English Heritage, Sainsbury’s, police forces and the Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network are among the organisations supporting the campaign.