Wednesday, 22 January 2014

DAY 64: Buckingham team raise burglary awareness and continue appeal for intelligence for Operation Silo



On Monday (20/1), the team in Aylesbury Vale visited the villages around Buckingham to talk to residents about vehicle and home security.

The visits have come after three burglary offences were reported between the 9 and 11 of January with a previous attempted burglary taking place on the 18 December. 

The areas affected by this series are Akeley, Nash, Water Startford and Maids Moreton although there is nothing to suggest these offences are linked.

The crime prevention pages on the Thames Valley Police website have some useful advice about protecting your home.

Have your say meeting at Foscote Farmers market

The schools officer took year 10 children from Cottleslow School out to do security surveys in the rural villages

The children spotted potential home security risks. An open gargage door could be what an oppotunisitc burglar is looking for!
 Here are some simple tips for burglary prevention:
  • Visit a local retailer to pick up a 24 hour segment timer for under £5. The timer can be used with a lamp, radio or TV to give the impression that someone’s home. Remember to use an energy efficient light bulb.
  • Register your valuables on www.immobilise.com (opens new window) its free and takes just a few minutes and if your valuables are stolen, will allow you to tell the police, your insurer, and the second-hand trade to assist in recovering your property and catch the thief.
  • Keep valuables out of sight.
  • Lock your doors and windows, if you have a UPVC door make sure you have double locked it.
In total, the team in Buckingham visited 117 addresses and signed up 57 people to the Thames Valley Alert messaging system. 


Elsewhere 12 farms were visited in the area and farm and landowners spoken to about the recently launched Operation Silo. 

Advising on oil tank security in Radclive

Rural patrols in Radclive

The proactive patrols in Buckingham went ahead into the evening

Officers also patrolled the eastern and western borders in the evening

 Thames Valley Police are currently appealing for intelligence from anyone who thinks they may have been sold or offered illegal or counterfeit pesticides.

If you’re not sure if this applies to you, here is what 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?
·         Is the packaging unusual or not what you would expect?
 
Please act on any suspicions you might have and call Thames Valley Police as soon as possible on the 24 hour, non-emergency number 101.

Tuesday, 21 January 2014

DAY 63: Officers conduct farm security surveys around Weston Turville in second day of crime prevention weekend



Sunday (19/1) saw the Aylesbury Valey neighbourhood teams visit farms around the Weston Turville area and conduct farm security assessments.



Promoting crime prevention at Wendover garden centre and 74 people signed up to Thames Valley Alert

Evening patrol around Buckingham.

The teams were able to asses various security risks around access to land and boundaries, agricultural machinery, livestock, outbuildings and tools.

Our 12 point safety check also gives examples of things to consider when checking the overall security of your farm:



Nameplate: is your house/farm sign displayed at the entrance?

Fire hydrant: Where is the nearest fire hydrant?

Water supplies: Location of available additional water supplies, for example tanks, ponds, rivers?

Evacuation plan: Is a written animal evacuation plan available at all times?

Dangerous animals: Are stables/ stalls/ fields identifiable if you are not
there?

Flammable risks: What materials do you have on site and are they suitably stored away from fire risks?

Chemicals: What chemicals are stored, how many and where? Are they
marked with the relevant safety instructions?

Fuel/ diesel: Are supplies/ tanks/ pipes clearly marked?

Staff: Are your staff aware of emergency procedures and contact numbers?

Housekeeping: Are your electrics, workshops and yards maintained and kept tidy?

Public: Are you hosting the general public on your property? How many are likely to be present?

Agricultural buildings: How many buildings do you have on the site? What size are they and what is their current use, i.e. animal, crops, hay, chemicals, machinery?