Following several recent events in Upton, a group of villagers are forming a new Neighbourhood
Watch team. It’s early days but we are already seeing the benefits of working together.
For example, only a few weeks ago, many of us woke to find red grease smeared on our bins. By
messaging on the “Upton Help” WhatsApp group we were quickly able to ascertain that this had
happened to multiple households. The police advised us that they would be unlikely to visit and
investigate if only one person reported it, so we passed this message on and 9 villagers reported
the incident. This was great as it meant the police arrived, that morning, to check the safety of the
substance and investigate. Thank you to all who helped.
Our local PCSO (Tom Walcott-Smith) came and spoke to our Neighbourhood Watch meeting in St Mary’s Church on 20th March. Some highlights of his talk were:
• Recent incidents (car theft, bin grease etc) are isolated and we live in a very safe area;
• Use 999 to report an emergency but report non-emergency incidents online rather
than using 101. Please provide vehicle number plates where possible. (Editor’s
note: the Thames Valley Police Commissioner highlighted problems with using 101 in last
month’s Upton News);
• Use Smart Water to protect your valuables. The DNA in the water can be registered
and can then be used for identification of recovered items;
• Car theft is reducing although 2 cars were stolen from Benson on 23rd March.
However, theft from parked cars is on the increase, particularly at local beauty spots
and the starting point of walks on The Ridgeway;
• There was a recent heating oil theft in Blewbury – owners of oil tanks may want
to consider fitting a tank alarm or padlock;
• There is an increase in fraud targeting the elderly and vulnerable (please see also the
TVPC report later in this edition);
• PCSO Walcott-Smith uses Blink CCTV and a Ring doorbell. He was not recommending these products but gave them as a suggestion for a cost effective solution to anyone thinking of installing something similar
• A pony and trap from Wattle Farm (behind The George) was seen recently on the road to Harwell. Despite having no lights, this is not illegal but is a safety hazard in poor light. Please take extra care when pulling out of Station Rd onto the A417.
If you would like to join please text your name to Katie Dickens (Tel: 0791 205 9430) from Upton
Neighbourhood watch, she will add you to the Upton Neighbourhood watch WhatsApp group
where we agree meeting dates, agendas, share useful websites and share news on local police
activity in nearby villages. Please do join us!
All villagers are invited to the next Neighbourhood Watch meeting which will be held late April/early
May. The date will be publicised via the Upton help group WhatsApp. Thank you for your support, we
hope to see some of you soon!!