Every year, Citizens Advice runs Scams Awareness Fortnight with the Consumer Protection Partnership.

‘Which’ guest explains what they’ve learnt about scams over the past year.

Since my last article, many, police officers,PCSO’s and Special constables, have been involved in rural crime week. Events and stalls were set up at various locations around the area including an exhibition trailer at Millets Farm and West Hanney. Talking to members of the public, we asked them to help us fight rural crime by signing up to ‘Thames Valley Alert’ a message system that keeps the public informed if there is anything happening in their area. This was a huge success.(The Thames Valley alert scheme can be found on the Thames Valley Police website www.thamesvalleyalert.co.uk)

Also Neighbourhood watch co-ordinators joined Police officers and PCSO’s and toured ‘hot spots’ in the area noting and checking anything suspicious that they came across. In particular areas such as beauty spot car parks.

This brings me to my next subject, car theft. There have been a number of thefts from vehicles in our area in particular in car parks near to the Ridgeway. If you are parking at a beauty spot please remember to take any valuables with you.

Do not leave on display Sat Navs, Mobile phones, Lap Tops, Cd’s and any clothing or bags. Put all items out of view or if possible take them with you.

Officers are patrolling these areas and if they find a vehicle that has any items on display the officer will note the registration of the vehicle and a letter of advice will be sent to the owner. When carrying out these checks, I’m often amazed at what people will leave openly on display in their cars. Here’s a good tip. If you use a Satellite Navigation system, and happen to take it with you on a day out, don’t leave a sticky mark on the windscreen when you remove it. Wipe it off. That way the thief won’t think you have a Sat Nav locked away in the glove box.

On Monday the 7^th of October I carried out speed checks in Upton and Chilton. Of the checks in Upton, out of 59 drivers checked there were none speeding and in Chilton, out of 73 there were only two. Please vehicle owners mind your speed particularly in built up areas including villages and especially near Schools. People often ask me what I do if anyone is speeding, and the answer is I place their vehicle details into our speed watch system which tracks if the vehicle has been flagged before. I also send out a letter of advice to the speeding driver.

On the 9^th of October I was able to pop along to the Chilton Parish council meeting and give my area beat officers report which was well received. I will also be attending the Upton Parish Council meeting on the 19^th of November at Upton Village hall at 20.00 hrs.

On the 25^th of October, Pc Laura Schmid and myself attended Chilton Primary School and gave a talk to the Children on staying safe on Halloween night and respecting others privacy. A talk on Bonfire night and the firework code was also given as we are now nearing the 5^th of November.

My next HYS meeting will be held on the 23rd of November at Upton village hall at 15.00 till 16.00 and at Chilton Village hall at 16.00 till 17.00. Please come along if you have issues you think I can help you with.

Stay safe

PCSO Mike Clayden C9732

With the weather being hot recently, many of us leave windows and doors open during the day, however if you are in the front of the house never leave a back door open and again if you’re at the rear of your home don’t leave a front door open and unattended. This is best to bear in mind when in the garden.

It only takes seconds for an opportunist thief to enter your home and steal anything left on display and unattended. It could be your wallet, door keys/ car keys or cash left on a table or even your laptop. Never leave car keys or valuables by doors or open windows.

Whenever you’re leaving your home, even for a short period of time make sure you have locked all doors and windows.

If you’re going on holiday only inform a trusted neighbour that you will be away or if you think your home is vulnerable contact your local neighbourhood police team and ask them to keep an eye on the property when on patrol in the village.

Never mention on social media sites that you are going away on holiday and when and how long for. Personally, I’m quite cautious of mentioning my holiday plans in public places such as public houses or busy shops. The old adage “walls have ears” is best to bear in mind.

Making your home appear to be occupied by timer lights and leaving a radio on can make a difference. If you’re going away on holiday then cancel milk and papers and place the waste bin in its usual position and not left by the road. Do not leave garden tools, ladders etcetera easily accessible in your garden, and make sure your shed is locked.

Always double lock your doors using the key and never leave your key hanging in the lock. I have seen examples of this practice when I’m out and about on patrol and it usually results in me alerting the surprised owner that they have left the key on display for any would be thief to take advantage of.

There are many ways you can make your home more secure. For example, by fixing a security sensor light that overlooks the driveway/entrance to the house or placing one so it overlooks the rear garden, Mortice locks for doors and windows. Even a gravel path can act as a deterrent to would be thieves as anyone approaching the house will be heard walking or driving on it. If you are thinking of installing a burglar alarm never install a dummy alarm. Experienced burglars can spot the difference between the fake and the real alarm.

If you have tendency to keep large amounts of cash in the home then place it in a safe that is hidden from view. Make sure any property within the home is marked with your postcode. Especially, televisions, laptops, computers and game consoles.

Diesel thefts from oil tanks are not uncommon and its best to try and hide the tank by growing foliage around it or fencing it off. Placing an alarmed padlock on the tank also acts as a deterrent.

If you see anyone is acting suspiciously or a vehicle that appears to be driving up and down the village with the occupants peering into properties then phone Thames Valley Police non emergency number 101. This also applies if you see a strange vehicle that has been parked outside or on a driveway of a home that you think is unoccupied. If you see or have reason to believe a burglary is in progress then please phone Thames Valley Police using the 999 emergency number.

Try and note descriptions of anyone acting suspiciously and the registration, make and colour of the vehicle seen if there is one.

Lastly, I hold regular ‘have your say’ meetings at the village hall in Upton so if anyone has any issues or would like further crime prevention advice then please pop in and have a chat. The next “Have your say” meeting will be held on the 28/09/13 at 15.00 hrs till 16.00 hrs.

 

PCSO Mike Clayden

Thames Valley Police,

Wantage Police Station,

Bogus callers often pretend to be from a water, gas or telephone company to gain entry into someone’s home under false pretences. To discourage this, Thames Water operates a doorstep password scheme which is open to all their customers.

To register with their doorstep password scheme, customers just need to call Thames Water on 0845 641 0068. Lines are open weekdays from 8am to 8pm and on Saturday from 8am to 1pm (Minicom or Typetalk: 0845 7200 898).

They will be asked for their name and address and customer account number. They will also need to choose their password.

Once somebody has registered, any caller claiming to be from Thames Water must be able to quote the correct password before being let into the person’s home. If they’re unable to do this, the customer must keep their door shut and call Thames Water immediately on the numbers above.

Thames Water also advises people to check a door-step caller’s ID badge in the following way:

• Does the card photo show the person at the door?
• Is the card out of date?
• Has the card been tampered with?
• Does it show Thames Water’s logo?

Here is the latest Wantage East neighbourhood update from Police Community Support Officer C9815 Tim Deane.

The Wantage East Neighbourhood Consultation indicated that Rural Crime has become a priority issue in local areas. High visibility patrols by police and Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) are carried out in rural locations including outbuildings to prevent burglaries and the theft of plant machinery.

Hare coursing was also indicated to be a priority concern in this area. Although hare coursing appears to be an obscure offence, it is a major concern and source of alarm and distress for our rural communities. High visibility patrols and operations by police and PCSOs are carried out in this area to prevent offences. The hare coursing season is normally September through March but can and does occur outside of this period.

Anti-social behaviour (ASB) and speeding were also identified. The Wantage East Neighbourhood Team is aware of the ongoing problems relating to anti-social behaviour. Locations have been identified where motorists regularly exceed speed limits; causing concern amongst residents.

Incidents

A hare coursing operation took place between 20 and 21 November with members of the neighbourhood team. Several people and vehicles were searched and dipped for red diesel. No offences were identified.

A bicycle was stolen from an insecure garage in Harwell. PC Steve Lynch and PCSO Darren Baker arrested a person for burglary and a bicycle was recovered and returned to its owner. Enquiries are still ongoing.

PC Lynch arrested a man for theft by employee and fraud from a premise in Milton. He has since been charged with these offences.

PCSOs Denise Clements and Gary Kirby were directly involved in the arrest of two people for night poaching offences, at Upton Village hall recreation ground.

PC Lynch and PCSO Baker attended Harwell Primary School and gave a talk to years five and six criminal damage.

PCSO Baker attended Harwell Primary School on 12 November to assist children with their school newspaper.

Vehicle stolen whilst being de-iced

Thames Valley Police are appealing to vehicle owners not to leave their vehicles unattended with the engines running whilst they clear their windscreens on frosty mornings, following the theft of a vehicle in Oxford on Monday 25 October.

While vehicle owners are clearing the ice off their windscreens please take two minutes to check that all the vehicle lighting is working correctly, especially the headlights. Do not use fog lights unless appropriate for the weather conditions. It is an offence to have lights on a vehicle fitted that do not work.

Have a safe and crime free Christmas season

Make sure Santa is the only stranger entering your home this year. Festive season is burglary season.

Remember the three ‘Ls’

• Look around. Hide your presents until Christmas day and don’t leave packaging from expensive items on display. Burglars consider your gifts under the tree a target for taking.

• Leave lights on. Homes that don’t look occupied after dark are a target for burglary. Use security lights and timer-switches to make it look like you are home.

• Lock up. Double-lock your doors and windows whether you’re out celebrating or having a cosy evening in. If you can open your door from the inside without a key, so can a burglar. Remove keys from locks and hide them nearby for emergencies.

Forthcoming Have Your Say Meetings (HYS)

HYS. 04 January 2011 1830-1930 Milton Methodist Hall.

HYS. 08 January 2011 1200-1400 Style Acre’s Café, Savages Garden Centre, Blewbury.

HYS. 11 January 2011 1830-1930 Chilton Village Hall.

HYS. 14 January 2011 1745-1845 Upton Village Hall.

HYS. 27 January 2011 1600-1700 Ardington Police Office.

HYS. 27 January 2011 1800-1900 East Hendred Snell’s Hall.

HYS. 29 January 2011 1200-1400 Co-op Steventon.

HYS. 29 January 2011 1000-1100 Harwell Village Hall.

Please come along, this is your opportunity to speak with your Neighbourhood Officers to discuss any local issues of concern you may have.

Have Your Say online

You can now send non-emergence messages to us using the online form that is available on the Thames Valley Police website. A number of people have already sent their concerns using this method. For you to do that please follow the link http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/haveyoursay

The Wantage East Neighbourhood Team

Here are the PCSOs for the Wantage East area including the villages we cover with contact details:

PCSO Larry Gardner C9861 Milton Park. Milton Village. Milton Heights.

larry.gardner@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk

PCSO Darren Baker C9235 Harwell & Rowstock.

darren.baker@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk

PCSO Mike Clayden C9732 Chilton & Upton.

michael.clayden@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk

PCSO Denise Clements C9845 Blewbury.

denise.clements@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk

PCSO Tim Deane C9815 Steventon.

tim.deane@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk

PCSO Gary Kirby C9455 Steventon.

gary.kirby@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk

PCSO Catherine Johnson C9753 East/West Hendred. Ardington. Lockinge.

catherine.johnson@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk

If you would like to speak to any member of the Wantage East Neighbourhood team or for more information about your local Neighbourhood team, contact 0845 8 505 505 or visit www.thamesvalley.police.uk

For help and advice on Crime Prevention contact Crime Prevention Advisor, Alison Smith 0845 8 505 505

To report local problems such as graffiti, fly tipping, pot holes and broken street lights please visit www.fixmystreet.com