Thame & Wheatley Neighbourhood team held a Community Café in the Thame Town Hall on Wednesday 26th April 2017. Residents and businesses came along to discuss their issues and find out more about the neighbourhood team and what we do.
In response to some of the concerns raised during the meeting, the Thame NHPT have detailed below some of the updates as to what work has been done and what is being planned for the future to tackle these issues.
‘You said we did’
• Concerns over drugs and litter in Mill Lane playing fields in Chinnor. Thame NHPT have an ongoing patrol plan in place to deter persons from congregating in these areas and to stop check any persons causing a problem. Numerous persons have been spoken to and where possible, moved on and told not to return. We are continually monitoring the location and will deal with any persons found, dealing with any criminal offences appropriately.
• Increase in retail theft in Waitrose, Thame and what the Police are doing to assist. We discussed the issue with Waitrose staff who came along and briefed them about procedures that the Police have to follow. We also gave target hardening advice about deterring offenders from targeting their store and how Waitrose staff can assist with this. Patrols are also made in the area on a regular basis which has proved successful as on one occasion, this enabled the police to be in the store when a shoplifting took place, the person was detained and dealt with expeditiously.
In the future, the NHPT are also going to be conducting various engagement initiatives in the Waitrose store where we shall be offering advice to shoppers and staff on an ongoing basis.
• Following the closure of the old Police Station on Greyhound Lane, Thame, the question was raised as to where the police are now based and there was a belief that there were no longer officers based within Thame. The old police station has now been sold, but we are still working from Thame! We have a base within Thame Business Park on Wenman Road, Thame. This is not a police station that has a front office or is open to visitors and we cannot accept found property at this police base. Thames Valley Police still have a NHPT and also response officers based in Thame who will respond to incidents. The closest police stations within Thames Valley Police where there is a Station Duty Office (reception area) open to the public are Aylesbury Police Station or Abingdon Police Station.
• Complaints about parking on double yellow lines and the new road layout which causes a visual obstruction in Victoria Mead, Thame. NHPT are patrolling this area on a regular basis and issue tickets where required. Highways will also be called in relation to the visibility from the junction who will be asked to review and take action where appropriate.
• Cycling on the pavement in Thame was raised and the dangerous situation that is being caused by youths. NHPT regularly link in with the schools in the local area and carry out presentations. The majority of this engagement and education of youths is around personal safety, but we do also give out warnings and advice around unacceptable behaviour and conduct. Where possible and should this fail then £50 fines can be issued. One such fine was given in April to a young person who ignored the advice and continued to cycle dangerously in the pavement.
• Concerns from a resident about a vehicle that didn’t appear to move for over 4 weeks. Enquires were made and found that the vehicle comes and go each morning. The driver works in Thame and parks his car there due to lack of parking in the town. The vehicle is all in order with no concerns from the Police.
• Anti-social behaviour within Thame. We have increased the patrols in Thame in recent weeks, including reassurance patrols by the Thames Valley Police mounted section. This has enabled us to deter offending and to also catch those who have been causing alarm to other members of the public. We have been able to build the evidence against 5 individuals and have now issued Acceptable Behaviour Contracts with the youths and their parents who we are now working with. The NHPT are aware of the concerns around drugs and are also looking into this. As this is still an ongoing investigation, the details of the police actions and tactics cannot be divulged.
Contact us
If you want any advice or would like to contact the neighbourhood team you can call us on the police non-emergency number 101 or if it is an emergency then dial 999. You can also contact us via email [email protected]. Please note this email address cannot be used to contact Thames Valley Police to report crimes or for any urgent matters. To view information on your neighbourhood team visit the Thames Valley Police website at: www.thamesvalley.police.uk. Receive free local crime alerts and crime prevention advice by registering at www.thamesvalleyalert.co.uk today. This allows anyone who signs up to choose what updates they receive and how they would like to receive it. The Thames Valley Police Twitter account is kept up to date with what we are up to; please follow us @TVPSouthandVale
