There has been a marked increase in the number of reported instances of stolen motor vehicle, and vehicle interference over the last few days.
Vehicle Number Plates
This is a message to all Neighbourhood Watch members from the police.
If you park your car outside in the street overnight please check that your vehicle number plates have not been tampered with.
Offenders steal number plates in order to fix to their cars and commit crime. Number plates can be made more secure by using security screws (which can only be turned clockwise). This is one way of making your number plate more secure. Should anybody have their plates stolen please report it to the Police.
If you would like more crime reduction information please call your local crime reduction adviser on 08458 505 505.
Blewbury Burglary
Police appeal after service station burglary
Police are appealing for information after burglars forced entry to the Blewbury Service Station on the A417 London Road in Blewbury, near Didcot in the early hours of this morning.
At 5.30am a man who was delivering newspapers discovered the front door had been forced open, causing extensive damage.
Around 15 bottles of wine and spirits had been stolen along with disposable cigarette lights, lottery scratch cards and 30 DVDs.
Carrier bags containing broken bottles were found nearby.
Det Sgt Chris Hand, of Abingdon CID, said: “There was a lot of damage to the store and a considerable amount of property has been stolen so we are extremely keen to hear from anyone who may have been passing nearby who saw or heard anything suspicious.
Carrier bags with bottles believed to have been stolen from the garage were found nearby on Bessels Way and I am keen to hear from anyone who saw or heard anyone as they made off from the burglary.
Also, if you are offered for sale anything which you believe may have come from this burglary then I urge you to get in touch with police.”
Anyone with information can contact Det Sgt Hand at Abingdon CID, via the Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505.
If you have information but to do not want to speak to police or leave your name you can contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
Suspicious Person
This is a message about a suspicious person.
On Monday 24th July a caller reported that whilst she was at a cashpoint machine in Didcot, she felt a male, possible Portugese, move up close to her in a suspicious manner. As she withdrew cash and quickly walked away, she turned around and he did not use the machine and walked off towards Sainsburys.
He is described as 5’7″ tall, dark short hair, aged 20-30 years old and was wearing a red short sleeved polo shirt and cream ‘chino’ type jeans.
Please warn all watch members to be extra cautious when using cashpoint terminals, try to use a machine that is located either inside a bank/building society or supermarket.
If you have any information relating to this message, please call the police on 08458 505 505 and quote URN 537 of 24/07/06
Harwell Burglary
This is a message about a burglary.
Burglaries
We have seen a marked increase, during this this prolonged spell of warm weather, in the number of burglaries where offenders have again entry through insecure doors,or windows.
Flyers
Flyers are being posted through letter boxes of household, in our area, which offer valuation of silver or gold jewellery, and also to buy pieces.
Suspicious Vehicle
This is a message about a suspicious vehicle.
Bogus Tradesmen
This is a message about bogus tradesmen.
We have received reports recently concerning bogus tradesmen operating in the south of Oxfordshire. These are mainly roofers and driveway contractors.
These are very professionally presented outfits. They can have good quality liveried vehicles, professionally produced flyers and business cards.
Please remind your memebers not to take workmen on who call at the door, without further enquires to prove they are legitimate. Do not pay anything up front.
The best advice is to contact local tradesmen, who come recommended by friends, neighbours or family. Get three written quotes, and for larger projects look at a previous job, and speak to the client to check they were happy.
Particulary be wary of flyer/card that do not have a full postal address and land line number, not just mobile numbers.
If you wish to complain about any busisness who you feel have misled you, or provided poor or inadaquate workmanship, contact Trading Standard for Oxfordshire on 08450 510845.
Daytime Burglaries
This is a message from Christopher Hand of our Priority Crime Team.
“A series of daytime burglaries have come to light over the past few months in the Vale area. They feature good class dwellings, mostly either rural or village locations.
The offenders are forcing entry, using whatever they can find in the garden of the property to smash doors or windows. Often they are then using keys left in the doors or windows to unlock and gain entry.
Property being stolen ranges from jewellery to audio and visual equipment.
On several occasions witnesses have come forward having noticed suspicious persons or vehicles in the location.”
We are appealing to you to help us with further information. Please be vigilant, and note down details of any suspicious person, or vehicles you see in your area.
Any information can be passed to Detective Sergeant Chris Hand, by calling 08458 505505. If you see an incident in progress, and require immediate attendance, please call 999.
Please remind all your friends and neighbours NOT to leave keys in the lock, or visible from door or windows. If you require specific advice for your property, please call 08458 505505, and ask to speak to your local Crime Reduction Advisor.