Neighbourhood Watch

Neighbourhood Watch: [date or area]

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With the dark nights and mornings upon us, we expect the number of burglaries to increase during the autumn and winter seasons. Recent events show that criminals from around the south of England have been targeting properties in the Chiltern & South Bucks areas. To tackle these criminals it is important that we work together in trying to prevent and reduce crime.

You may ask “What are the local police doing about this?” and we would advise that CID officers are investigating burglaries and reviewing investigative, CCTV and forensic leads. Uniform officers are conducting tasked patrols and working with other police forces in combined Operations to tackle these criminals.

The impact of having your house burgled is immense both financially and mentally. Yet it is common for us to delay doing things until a close friend or yourself has been subjected to such an attack. Having the time or money to buy security measures can also be a reason. 

If I was to inform you that there was a way, free of charge, that you could reduce the chance of being a victim by 25% which was free of charge would you be interested? 

This is where I need you and your family’s help to achieve this.

One of the best ways you can help is to join or establish a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in your area. Neighbourhood Watch schemes are owned and operated by their members, supported by the Police with crime information and advice. If you are interested then please contact the Chiltern & South Bucks Council Community Safety Team on 01494 586528 or email communitysafety@chilternandsouthbucks.gov.uk

I am proud to update that Chiltern & South Bucks will be the first area to pilot a scheme where Thames Valley Police will be using the NHW on a Police Operation. Members of NHW and people who are signed up to Thames Valley Alerts will be briefed with relevant intelligence of issues that are happening in our area with a dedicated response team to deal with your calls on dedicated days. To sign up to Neighbourhood Alerts go to www.thamesvalleyalert.co.uk.

You know your neighbourhood better than anyone else. If something is not sitting right with you, act on this and do not be afraid to call the police. If you think it could be a burglary or crime in progress then call 999.

I have made some recommendations about things you can do to improve your security below. Please take a minute to go through the list and see if there is anything that you could do to protect your possessions, your neighbours and your family.

How many Top Tips do you tick with your security?

1; Make it appear that someone is at home.

Leave a light and the radio on when the nights draw in. Use a fake TV light device. 

Use timer switches.

Do you have an internet assistant e.g. Alexa? Some have a new security App so try it out.

Make sure your doors and windows are properly closed and have British Standard locks.

2; Improve your security

Camera Doorbell as most burglars will knock first. This is about the cheapest way to get CCTV. 

Install an SSAIB or NSI alarm or at least have a fake box installed.

Get motion sensors inside your house so you can see if something is wrong whilst you are away from the address. 

Install CCTV or consider CCTV signs depending on your budget.

Improve your locks and get window film to stop windows easily being smashed.

Advertise your property is security marked. Use SMARt**tER /Selecta DNA window stickers.

3; Do not display your wealth

Performance cars will often be targeted if you have a top end car lock it in the garage.

Do not have your keys on display on the sideboard. Keys can be fished through letter boxes.

Get a letterbox guard or cage.

Just who are you updating with the Facebook Posts when you are away on holiday.

Asian gold will be targeted. What identifies your house as a place likely to have such gold? 

Do not keep large amounts of cash at home.

As Christmas is approaching try to make sure that presents are not visible to anyone outside. 

4; Consider the garden

Consider a ‘beware of the dog’ sign or dog bowl will make the burglar think twice.

Padlock the gate and close the front gates.

Secure your fences. Trellis is a great obstacle for burglars due to it most likely collapsing, consider cheap spikey fence options like pr*ckly strip (make sure you put the signs up) This is a real cheap option and can result in us getting suspects DNA.

Plant pr*ckly plants at tactical places around the garden boundary.

Burglars can use large ornaments or rocks or garden tools to break in, so look to remove opportunities and make sure you securely lock away any tools after use. 

5; Look out for your neighbours

Join NHW.

Set up a no door step selling zone. Eliminate a reason for burglars to knock on your door. 

Speak to your neighbours and tell them if workmen are coming or you are going away.

Be a good neighbour and conduct checks if neighbours are going away.

And finally if you see something suspicious call it in to the police. You know your area best!

To beat the burglar we need to work, with the most important partner in tackling crime, You the public. I hope that you will take the first step in helping us to help you create a safer, more resilient and friendly neighbourhood for you all to live in.

Yours sincerely

Darren Walsh

Police Sergeant Darren Walsh

Amersham Neighbourhood Policing team

I have heard of several recent scams involving Fraudsters preying on peoples fears. Please find latest advice and stay safe.

Following reports of Covid-19 related scams Thames Valley Police is urging the public to remain vigilant against criminals using the publicity around the coronavirus as a chance to target their victims with fraudulent emails, phone calls, text messages or door to door services.

We are encouraging residents to look out for their friends, family and neighbours.

There are examples of communities working together to help local residents and we don’t want to discourage this so we ask that people consider the following advice to avoid falling victim fraudsters:

Protect yourself

Door scams:

We are aware of people knocking on the doors of elderly and vulnerable people offering to shop or other services for them and then taking money without providing what they have offered.

• If you can only accept help from people you are familiar with or who can prove who they are.

• Do not hand over a bank card or large sums of cash to anyone on your doorstep.

• Please look out for your neighbours and family members who may not have access to social media and therefore will not be receiving this information.

Watch out for scam messages:

A number of online scams offering fake services are being reported nationally.

Don’t click on the links or attachments in suspicious emails, and never respond to unsolicited messages and calls that ask for your personal or financial details.

Shopping online:

If you’re making a purchase from a company or person you don’t know and trust, carry out some research first, and ask a friend or family member for advice before completing the purchase. If you decide to go ahead with the purchase, use a credit card if you have one, as most major credit card providers insure online purchases.

For more information on how to shop online safely, please visit: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/shoponlinesafely

Coronavirus Testing Kits

We are aware that some maybe trying to sell fake coronavirus tests. At this time the public are not being offered COVID-19 tests to purchase and no companies have been deployed to carry out checks in homes or businesses, this will be a scam.

Police Update on Coronavirus

We understand that the new Government measures will undoubtedly have a major impact on you all and whilst this is difficult, it is a necessary adjustment. This is about protecting yourselves, each other and the emergency services working hard to keep you safe.

We ask you all to please take notice of the new direction from government and stay at home to help the national effort to stop the spread of the virus.

Thames Valley Police will, as always, police with respect and engagement and we will continue our day to day policing and we will be working with our communities so they understand the importance of complying with the government direction.

We continue to follow government, Public health England and the National Police Chief’s Council’s direction in the fight against Coronavirus.

We have tried and tested contingency plans in operation to enable us to continue to protect the most vulnerable in society and respond to where the need is most.

All precautions are being taken in order to protect our officers and staff so that we continue to police the Thames Valley.

Thank you for your support.

We will continue to share updates on social media and through Thames Valley Alerts. For more information on Coronavirus, you may want to visit the following sites: 

• NHS advice - How to avoid catching or spreading germs and when to seek medical help

• PHE advice - Daily updates, signs and symptoms, current risk level

• Government updates - Daily updates on the outbreak