Keep your home secure as the darker nights draw in

Winter officially begins on Sunday 27 October when the clocks go back an hour; this is the perfect reason to check your house is not vulnerable to opportunist thieves.
 
Thames Valley Police is working in partnership with Community Safety Partnerships across the Thames Valley to keep you safe as the darker nights draw in.

People across the Thames Valley can pick up security advice from the Thames Valley Police website; about the importance of not leaving your house in darkness, as well as via our social media sites.

Ch Supt Tim De Meyer, head of Neighbourhood Policing & Partnerships said: “People who work full time, and usually leave and return from work in the dark, are more likely to fall victim of opportunist burglars.
“It is vital that we engage with those at risk of burglary and this year we will be encouraging people to look at our Twitter sites and website for crime prevention information.

“Officers will be patrolling neighbourhoods and burglary hot spot areas identifying houses that could benefit from improved home security and posting a postcard size leaflet through the door advising people to contact them for further crime reduction advice.
“We will also be using businesses in the area to ensure our message gets out to their staff.”
If no light is on in your home, curtains are not drawn, and no car is in the drive, it’s an obvious sign to an opportunist burglar that no-one is in. At this time of the year more than any other it pays to secure your home.
 
There are a number of simple and low-cost or free ways to do this, all of which will help reduce the chance of your home becoming the next target.

• Visit a local retailer to pick up a 24 hour segment timer for under £5. The timer can be used with a lamp, radio or TV to give the impression that someone’s home. Remember to use an energy efficient light bulb
• Register your valuables on www.immobilise.com - its free and takes just a few minutes and if your valuables are stolen, will allow you to tell the police, your insurer, and the second-hand trade to assist in recovering your property and catch the thief
• Keep valuables out of sight
• Look your doors and windows, if you have a UPVC door make sure you have double locked it

You can also follow us on Twitter @_ThamesVP (opens new window) (localise this if there is one) alternatively you can give us a ‘like’ on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/thamesvp (opens new window)

Fraud Offences

Thames Valley Police is appealing for information regarding incidents of fraud in Oxfordshire.

During the following incidents, a man pretending to be a Metropolitan Police officer from Paddington Green police station has called victims to say their personal details have been obtained by criminals.

The offender then advises the victim to hang up and call their bank, but unknown to victims the offender does not disconnect the call meaning the victim continues to speak to the offender.
Believing they are speaking to their bank, the victims then provide their bank details to the suspect.
The caller then persuades the victims to put their bank cards in an envelope, which is collected by another offender.

The first offence occurred at an address in Henley during the day on Saturday (28/9).
The victim, an 89-year-old man, gave two bank cards to an Asian man, aged about 25, of large build, approximately 5ft 8ins tall, with black hair. He was wearing a high-visibility jacket and dark trousers.

The second incident also happened during the day on Saturday (28/9) at an address in central Oxford.
No bank details or bank cards were taken from the elderly victim.

The third incident occurred at about 10pm on Monday (30/9) at an address in Summertown, Oxford.
The victim, an 86-year-old woman, had two bank cards taken. Unsuccessful attempts were later made to withdraw money with the bank cards in central Oxford.

The offender is an Asian man, about 25-years-old, of slim build. He was wearing dark clothing.

These incidents are being linked to another offence in Hambleden area, Buckinghamshire, near Henley, on 15 September.

The victim, an 89-year-old woman, had jewellery and three bank cards stolen during the incident.
The bank cards were then used the same day in the Henley area (15/9).

The offender, who collected the bank cards and jewellery, was a white man, of slim build, about 5ft 8ins tall, in his mid-twenties, with short dark hair. He was dressed in a dark suit.

If you any other information about these offences please contact Sgt Phil Bennett via the Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre on 101.

If you believe you have been a victim of a similar offence, please contact the police.
If you do receive a call which you suspect is not genuine and they ask you to call your bank, make sure that after you hang up, that you hear a dialling tone before contacting the police, or use a mobile phone if appropriate.

If you don't want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.