Police Ringway Messages
Provide the latest information about local crime and crime reduction.
The Buy with Confidence Scheme
Oxfordshire Trading Standards can provide you with details of reliable local tradesmen and women to carry out work around your home and garden. The Buy with Confidence Scheme brings together a list of gardeners, plumbers, builders and many other types of business from all over Oxfordshire, which have been individually checked for trustworthiness and compliance with consumer protection laws. For details of firms you can trust, visit the interactive consumer website at buywithconfidence.gov.uk or call 0845 051 0845 to talk with Trading Standards.
Visiting Beauty Spots:
Anyone visiting beauty spots or out walking dogs are advised not to leave anything of value in their vehicles, even a carrier bag or an item of clothing left on display could attract someone to your vehicle. If you have to take valuables or other items with you it is advisable to take them with you whenever you leave your vehicle. If you plan to leave items in your vehicle you should put them in the car boot before leaving home as someone may be watching you at a beauty spot and you don’t want to be seen leaving anything in the vehicle.
Please click on the link below to obtain crime prevention advice on car security & information on security devices:
Please be extra vigilant. If you see any suspicious looking people or vehicles in the area try to obtain vehicle details including colour, make, model and registration number and a description of any occupants if possible. Please report any information to the police as soon as possible.
If you have any information relating to this message please call the police on the new national single non-emergency telephone number 101 and state you are responding to a Community message.
Alternatively if you have information but wish to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online @ crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
Advice on Safety and Security
Community Safety
All residents have the ability to have an impact on improving their local community. Poorly lit footpaths, broken fences, smashed windows, graffiti, & littering, can all have a detrimental effect on community safety. If buildings or structures are allowed to fall into decline it may be a trigger for crime and anti social behaviour to increase, this is known as “Broken Windows Syndrome”. We would welcome your feedback in identifying any areas of concern within your neighbourhood. Your local knowledge could have a very positive effect in reducing crimes & anti social behaviour in the future, by simply carrying out what is known as an Environmental Visual Audit and reporting any areas of concern to your local Crime Reduction Advisor at Thames Valley Police on 08458 505 505.
Anti-social Behaviour & Criminal Damage
Anti social behaviour can have a detrimental effect on community safety and quality of life. Groups of young people shouting, depositing litter, causing minor damage, can lead to more serious crime if allowed to develop unchecked. There are dedicated anti-social behaviour officers employed both in the police and at your local district councils. We want to encourage all residents to report any incidents of anti-social behaviour or criminal damage to the police on 08458 505 505 or to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you wish to remain anonymous.
Personal Safety
The chances of you or a member of your family becoming a victim of violent crime are low in either the VOWH or SODC. Always adopt a common sense approach when planning to go out whether on foot or in a a vehicle. If alone, try to walk in well lit populated areas. Take care when using ATMs and keep purses/wallets secure and out of site. If you do feel vulnerable when going out, consider carrying a personal attack alarm.
Security Coding of Property
As part of any security review of our homes and property it is important to ensure all valuable items are security marked. Options available to help increase the chance of recovery in event of loss or theft are: Engraving or etching, ultra violet or invisible marking, ceramic marking, punching, marking and registration services or electronically coded. If you do not have one, the coded for keeps leaflet and sticker are available, along with free ultra violet marker pens from the watch office on 01235 556957.
Identity Theft
Please take care when disposing of personal documents. Many supermarkets sell paper shredders at very reasonable prices. Shredders are an effective way of disposing of personal information. If you use a computer please ensure you have virus checkers and firewalls installed to protect against internet crime. For more information about identity theft, log on to www.identitytheft.org.uk or telephone 0870 010 2091.
Vehicle Crime
There has been a reduction in vehicle crime and with your help we can maintain this trend. Could you please ensure you carry out the following checks when parking your vehicles:
- Always remove keys, lock and properly secure your vehicles
- Never leave valuable items on display, such as sat-navs, laptop computers, mobile phones, cash, handbags, wallets, etc.
- Park with care in busy well lit area or near cc/tv cameras where possible
- Never keep car documents in your vehicle
- Never leave vehicle keys on view or near doors or windows in your home, thieves will break into your house in order to obtain the keys and then steal your car.
- It is understood that the current national crime trend of stealing metals will continue for the foreseeable future. Also being stolen are catalytic converters from cars. The catalytic converter contains an insert of platinum which has a high scrap value. Most modern cars are fitted with catalytic converters so please take precautions when leaving your car unattended. If you have to leave your vehicle in the street, try to park in areas of good street lighting. If you see any suspicious persons or vehicles, or have any information relating to this message, please call the Police on 08458 505 505 and say you are responding to a Ringmaster Message.
For further information on vehicle security please contact your local crime reduction advisor at Thames Valley Police on 08458 505 505.
Home Security
Window locks should be in operation at all times when the house is unoccupied and never leave the keys in the window locks. All ground floor windows should have locks and any second story windows which may be accessed via an extension roof, drainpipe or veranda.
Never leave vehicle keys close to the front door or on view via a window as it may provide the incentive for a burglar to break in and steal car keys.
Keep all tools and equipment such as ladders stored away securely so they cannot be used to gain entry.
Should you require assistance regarding the security of your home, please do not hesitate to contact your local Crime Reduction Advisor via 08458 505 505. If you have any information about the above message that is of an urgent nature please contact our police enquiry centre on 0845 8 505 505 and state you are responding to this Ringmaster message.