22nd April 2026
The Thame, Watlington and Chinnor Policing Team have outlined their latest neighbourhood priorities, focusing on retail crime, theft from vehicles and anti-social behaviour in the town centre.
A key development in tackling shoplifting and retail-related offences is the relaunch of the Shop Watch scheme in Thame town centre. Working alongside the Town Council and the Community Partnership, officers say the initiative now provides real-time access to CCTV systems for both council operators and police. The move is expected to strengthen coordination and improve response times to incidents.
Officers also report continued efforts to tackle organised retail crime, particularly offenders travelling into Thame from other areas. In recent weeks and months, several prolific offenders have been charged, signalling what police describe as a sustained crackdown.
Vehicle-related crime remains another major concern. Police are currently investigating a series of 26 offences involving thefts from motor vehicles, believed to be linked to offenders from outside the force area. The crimes are centred around Junction 8A of the M40 and share similarities with incidents in Newport Pagnell, where suspects have used signal jamming devices to prevent cars from locking. Victims, believing their vehicles were secure, later returned to find valuables stolen.
An arrest made by PC Eldridge has already led to a noticeable reduction in offences while the suspect remains on bail. Officers say investigations are ongoing in collaboration with detective teams. A separate arrest linked to thefts in surrounding villages has also contributed to a significant drop in similar crimes.
Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour in Thame town centre has generally declined, though police continue to monitor emerging issues. Concerns have been raised about the misuse of off-road motorbikes and quad bikes, as well as ongoing problems with begging in Greyhound Walk. Officers note that similar issues were addressed last year through Community Protection Warnings and say they are prepared to take further action against repeat offenders.
Police say they will continue engaging with local businesses and residents in the coming weeks as they work to maintain reductions in crime and improve community safety.
