Here is your latest update from the Thame/Wheatley neighbourhood policing team.
Priorities
Theft from Motor Vehicles
Preventing thefts from motor vehicles has become one of our top priorities this month. With the recent nice weather our Beauty Spot car parks have had particular attention given to them which includes Aston Rowant Nature Reserve, Cowlease Woods and Watlington Hill. The neighbourhood team have been patrolling these areas daily when on shift and suitable advice has been given to all members on the public present. If we have given you advice on preventing thefts from vehicles then please pass this on to your family and friends and remain vigilant when leaving your vehicles unattended.
We have also been focusing on the Junction 8A M40 Services at Wheatley, and the Lewknor Junction 6 M40 laybys, as both areas have previously been targeted. You will see us out patrolling the areas whenever we can and we are in the process of getting more crime prevention signage put up in these areas. If you witness anyone acting suspicious around vehicles then please let us know and we will act upon this!
Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)
We are still focusing on ASB in Thame, in particular Priest End. We have received calls from residents in the area of large groups of young people hanging around late at night in Priest End and in the fields at the end of the street, creating large amounts of noise. The neighbourhood team have been out patrolling this area and will be engaging with anyone present. Please let us know if the issues continue.
Tool thefts
We have in recent months seen an increase in tool thefts across South Oxfordshire and Vale of the White Horse. These include thefts from work vans, thefts from building sites and thefts from sheds/outbuildings. Please ensure that tools are all kept secure and that they are identifiable with markings. Do not leave tools in a vehicle overnight. During the daytime keep your vehicle locked even if you leave it just for a few minutes as an opportunist thief could quickly remove tools from a vehicle.
Burglary
Being burgled is a traumatic experience. It’s not just the financial cost of replacing stolen items, but also the emotional impact of feeling violated after a burglar has been in your home.
You can reduce the risk of becoming a victim by looking at your home security through the eyes of a burglar. Think about how you would break in if you locked yourself out. You may be surprised at how easy it would be.
To get started, simply download your FREE Home Security Guide from the Thames Valley Police website here: https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/police-forces/thames-valley-police/areas/advice/home-security-guide/
Below are some quick practical steps that you can take right now to make your home more secure:
• Ensure doors and windows are locked, even if you are just out in the garden.
• Store house, window and car keys out of reach of windows and your letterbox.
• Hide valuables so they can’t be seen from outside.
• Mark your valuables with a UV pen or forensic marking kit as this will make it harder for thieves to sell the items.
• Register valuables for free on the national property register at www.immobilise.com and bicycles at www.bikeregister.com.
• Trim back hedges and shrubs at the front of your property so that burglars have nowhere to hide.
• Always lock sheds and garages to prevent access to tools that could be used to break into your home.
• Plant thorny bushes around the perimeter of your garden to deter thieves from climbing in.
• Gravel can be laid on driveways, paths and beneath ground floor windows which will make a noise when stood on.
By working together we can build community resilience to deter burglars from targeting homes within the area.
What the neighbourhood team have been doing
With the recent nice weather the neighbourhood team have been paying particular attention to Southern Road Rec in Thame both throughout the day and evenings. In previous years there has been a rise in anti-social behaviour in this area during the spring and summer months involving large groups and loud music. We are engaging with any groups present at the Rec and giving advice on acceptable behaviour. Please call us if you are aware of any anti-social behaviour taking place at the Rec or any other surrounding areas.
Before the Easter Holidays we had been working on schools engagement, conducting patrols at our local primary and secondary schools. Our main focus is so that the children get to know us and understand that we are here to help. Our school patrols will continue once the new term commences so please come and say hello if you see us!
Future events/meetings/active communities
We are continuing to hold our monthly Have Your Say meetings in and around Thame. We ensure we do our best to make every meeting, however should an immediate priority occur on the day we cannot guarantee we will get to the meeting. This is a rare occurrence and should it ever happen we will ensure we reschedule. Our current scheduled dates are as follows:
Thame Co-op:
07/05/19 at 11am
Thame Waitrose:
14/05/19 at 10am
Wheatley Merry Bells:
08/05/19 at 11am
Staff news
After 15 years’ service to Thames Valley Police PCSO Diane Jackson is leaving the Thame neighbourhood team. PCSO Jackson has been an incredible member of the team, and has even trained the majority of us! Diane will be missed by all and we wish her the very best in her new job.
Please get in touch/follow us using the following:
E-mail: [email protected]
Twitter: @tvpsouthandvale
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tvpsouthandvale
Phone: 101
Always phone 999 in an emergency
