Drink Driving

Thousands of people are tested for drink and drug driving across the Thames Valley and Hampshire throughout the year. Thames Valley Police and Hampshire Constabulary will be pouring time and resources into drink-drive operations in a bid to slash alcohol-related driving incidents on our roads.

You can do your bit by remembering this number, 101 and calling it if you suspect anyone of drink-driving. You could save someone's life.

For their part, during the Christmas period they will be running operations day and night taking every opportunity to breathalyse individuals where possible. If you drink alcohol or take drugs and drive, you put yourself, your loved ones and other road users at risk, don’t take a chance, it isn’t worth it. Drink and drug driving is totally unacceptable and is a serious crime. Thames Valley Police and Hampshire Constabulary works to tackle drink and drug driving all year round. Supt Chris Brown, for Thames Valley and Hampshire, said: “Drinking and driving wrecks lives, most obviously the hundreds of victims and their loved ones who are killed each year. “But it also changes the lives of the people who are selfish or stupid enough to drive when they are not fit to do so.” You cannot calculate your alcohol limit, so do not try – it depends on the amount and type of drink, your weight, sex, age, and metabolism. Drinking any alcohol – even a small drink – makes you a worse driver because you do not judge speed and distance as well and you do not react as quickly. The only safe way is to not drink alcohol at all.

If you are convicted for a drink or drug drive offence, you:

• Will lose your licence for a minimum of one year.
• Will have a criminal record. May go to prison for up to six months.
• May have to pay a fine of up to £5,000.
• May lose your job (15 per cent of those convicted do).
• Face very high insurance costs once you get your licence back.
• Will have difficulty hiring a car within ten years of your conviction.

Supt Brown said: “How will you live your life having killed your girlfriend or somebody else’s loved one? Supt Brown said: “How will you cope with a lengthy spell in prison? And even if you don’t have a crash and we catch you driving when you are over the limit, you will find yourself in a cell with enough time to contemplate the next 12 months without your driving licence.”

Please take note of the following advice:

• If you are planning a night out, think about how you are going to get home.
• Do not drive to the venue – you may be tempted to drive home after drinking. Drink soft drinks until you get home.
• Book a taxi to take you home – if you believe that you can’t afford to do this, think about whether you can afford to kill yourself, an innocent person or lose your driving licence.
• Use public transport to get home, or stay overnight.
• Never offer an alcoholic drink to someone who you know is driving.

Ows about this then

With all the talk about you know who in the papers over the last month, how exactly do you go about keeping your children safe?

Did you know about The Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme.

It allows parents. carers, guardians and other interested party to ask the police to check if an individual who has contact with a child has a record for child sexual offences.

The police will only disclose information if it is lawful, necessary and proportionate to do so in the interests of protecting the child or children from harm.

go to http://www.parentsprotect.co.uk/ for more information.

How to report Fraud or Internet Crime

From 3 December 2012, all reports of fraud in the Thames Valley will be recorded by Action Fraud and individual police forces in the south east will no longer take any fraud reports. They will now be recorded centrally by Action Fraud.

If you want to report a fraud, please call the number above (0300 123 2040), or visit the Action Fraud website at

www.actionfraud.police.uk

 

Thames Valley Police will continue to respond to reports of frauds in progress, but any other calls to report a fraud, including financially motivated e-crime, will be referred to Action Fraud. When a person calls to report a fraud, they will be provided with the Action Fraud phone number or website address.

 

The new process will have a number of benefits for victims of crime, including having a central point of contact to report all fraud; an effective and efficient way to bulk report fraud; and an increased chance of identifying repeat and vulnerable victims.

 

The scheme has already been piloted successfully in five forces, and will be rolled-out nationwide by March 2013.

 

Action Fraud leaflet (1).pdf

Cold Callers

 

Police have received reports of an alarm company cold calling on residents in our area. The most recent incidents were reported yesterday (22/11) from residents in Shrivenham, near Faringdon, stating the callers said they were working with the police and offering free alarms systems.

 

These systems are NOT free; there is usually a £300 installation fee plus a monthly fee. The police do not work with any companies who cold call.

 

If you are interested in receiving free advice on home security please contact the police on 101 and ask to speak to a member of your local neighbourhood team who will be happy to carry out a free home security survey of your home.

Lists of approved alarm companies can be obtained through the Trading Standards buy with confidence scheme, please call 0845 051 0845 or visit www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk for details.

Farm Shop broken into

 
A farm shop at Ipsden was burgled overnight on Monday 19th November. It is suspected that a previous reconnaissance had been made because the intruders had the correct tools to access a padlocked steel door after cutting a hole in the fence. A large quantity of fresh and frozen meat and a number of hand made walking sticks were taken and attempts were made to gain entry to other areas of the shop.
 Please be extra vigilant. If you have seen any suspicious looking people or vehicles in the area or 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.

Farm Ram-Raided

At 11.50 pm on Monday 19 November a gate to a farm near Hambleden was ram-raided.

Three to four men entered farm buildings and removed many items such as chainsaws, grinders etc. Two trucks were started and quad bikes were loaded onto them. Police were on the scene five minutes after the alarm was raised but the burglars had already left. Fortunately, the villains were not able to take the trucks.

Their vehicle was a dark blue Peugeot 306 or similar. Also today Tuesday a dark blue Peugeot was seen in Hambleden Village taking a picture of the garage as it drove past.

Delivery Company Scam

Police are warning residents to be wary of accepting any unexpected deliveries following a credit/ debit card scam highlighted following an incident in Leicestershire.

A victim received a telephone call from someone claiming to be from a company called "Express Couriers". The caller asked if the resident was going to be home because they had a package to deliver in about an hour.

An hour later a delivery man turned up with a beautiful basket of flowers and wine. They victim was surprised as they were not celebrating a special occasion and the package was unexpected. He enquired who the sender was but the man’s reply was that he was only delivering the package, however, a card was being sent separately. There was a consignment note with the gift but no card arrived.

The man said that as the package contained alcohol, there was a £3.00 "delivery charge". The victim thought that this sounded logical and offered to pay him cash. However, he said the company required payment by credit or debit card. The victim provided his details and was asked to swipe the card on a small mobile machine, enter his PIN and security code. A receipt was printed out and given to him.

Over the next four days £4,000 was charged or withdrawn from his account at various ATM machines. In light of this incident Police are warning residents to be wary of accepting any unexpected packages or gifts especially if it involves payment as a condition of receiving the package.

People should also never accept anything if there is no indication about who the sender is. Police would also advise that no credit or debit card details are given out unless you have initiated a purchase or transaction and know it is from a trustworthy source.