The following is an edited extract from the Thames Valley update document
Update from Neighbourhood Specialist Officer PC Caroline Brown:
With our number one priority identified as speeding we have been out and about with the speed gun in several villages this month, including Cottisford, Middleton Stoney, Upper Heyford and Caversfield along with others.
We spent 40 minutes in Caversfield at around 8am and found everybody to be law abiding and within the speed limit. However, it was a different story at Middleton Stoney, where checks were carried out at three locations - Ardley Road , Bicester Road and Heyford road. During two visits, we issued 11 tickets. A further four tickets were issued at Station Road Lower Heyford.
We have looked into the parking problems at Steeple Aston, which were identified by the parish council and the PCSOs have been placing warning notes on vehicle windscreens.
We have attended several village functions including fetes and visited all village schools to obtain contact details for caretakers in case of need over the school holidays.
Due to the rising cost of fuel, there are concerns nationally that we may be seeing an increase in the theft of heating oil and diesel in rural areas. We have had literally a couple of these thefts in recent months, but I would still recommend that if you have an oil tank located near to your property please make sure that it is adequately protected.
If you need any crime prevention advice in relation to this and improving the security to your home please contact our crime reduction adviser Jayne Taylor on 0845 8 505 505.
We have seen a decrease in the number of lead thefts in the last month, however there are still a few being reported. We understand that the price of lead has dropped and is the reason for this, but please continue to be extra vigilant around churches and properties where lead is used as a building material.
Update from PCSOs Louise Penfold and Susan Cooper:
We helped out with a cycling proficiency course at Chesterton school where 12 children passed and received their certificates. We were also in training, learning how to do the courses ourselves. We are now qualified to run them independently, so if you are interested in having cycling proficiency in your youth group or school, then please contact either of us by
email.
We also attended the fun day at Fringford village where the children had the opportunity to look inside and sit in a police car, which they really enjoyed.
We have focused a lot of our patrols on churches following the recent lead thefts; we even took our lunches out and picnicked in the church grounds.
We have been dealing with expired tax discs on cars and submitting vehicle details to the DVLA who investigate and prosecute. Otherwise, it was a quiet month in July, but no doubt with the summer holidays upon us we will be a lot busier this month.