Team News

Sergeant Bruce Riddell has returned to the team following a short period as acting Inspector for the Cherwell Local Policing Area. Due to PC Richard Miller still acting as Sergeant in Bicester, PC O'LEARY is now on attachment to the team as Neighbourhood Officer alongside PC VALE. PSCO Nikki DALE is also returning to the team on the 7th January 2012 following a period of absence. The new Deddington Police Office at the library was due to open at the end of December 2011. Due to unforeseen circumstances, this opening has had to be delayed due to problems out of Thames Valley Polices control. The anticipated date for the opening of the police office is the 10th of January 2012. In the meantime, should members of the community wish to contact the police they can use the new 101 non emergency number or contact the neighbourhood team via email.

Auto Crime YOU SAID....WE DID. Officers from Bicester and Banbury Rural Neighbourhood Team conducted a joint operation at Smith's Building supplies on Aylesbury Road on Sunday 18th December 2011. This was in response to recent thefts of Diesel from work's vehicles on the site. The following evening on Monday 19th December, Banbury and Bicester rural team conducted a joint plain clothes and hi visibility patrols of Hook Norton, Milcombe and Bloxham Villages. During this operation, several vehicles were stop checked by officers and advice given to motorists.

Rural Thefts YOU SAID....WE DID. Following the rise in oil costs fuel thefts have increased slightly nationally especially in rural locations. The Neighbourhood Action Group decided to provide advice to oil customers in relation to upgrading their security on their tanks. As a result, two oil suppliers have agreed to send out letters of advice to their customers with their quarterly statements.

On Wednesday 4th January 2012, proactive patrols were conducted in the villages of Hornton and Horley. During these patrols, 2 males and female were stopped by rural officers driving a van laden with scrap metal in Hornton after being seen acting suspiciously on a farm in Horley. Enquiries were completed with the landowner, who identified 2 Reinforced Steal Joists as being stolen from their farm and the occupants were arrested on suspicion of theft. The occupants received police cautions for their actions.

HAVE YOUR SAY - Meeting Dates This month we conducted 1 Have Your Say meeting at Horton Pavilion on Wednesday 7th December. The following dates have been arranged for Have your Say meetings:

09:30 - 10:30hrs - Friday 20th January at Great Bourton Village Hall

14:00 - 15:00hrs - Wednesday 25th January at Fielding Day Centre in Sibford Gower

10:00 - 12:00hrs - Saturday 18th February at Hook Norton font Cafe Crime News

Overnight on the 23rd December 2011, two properties in Horton were broken into by offenders. Subsequently, two vehicles were stolen and a quantity of money. Another address in Horley was entered during the same night by offenders but they were disturbed by the occupant's dog and fled the scene without removing anything. These offences appear to be linked and enquiries are still ongoing with the priority crime team at Banbury Police Station. There have been several incidents reported over the month of theft of metal from farms and small holdings in the rural villages. Due to the price of scrap metal still being high, offenders are continuing to target vulnerable areas in order to maximise income with little chance of being identified.

Two police road checks were conducted during the Christmas period targeting those that drink and drive. The first was conducted in the morning on the Hempton Road in Deddington where approximately 116 drivers were stopped and breathalysed at the roadside. None of those drivers were arrested for driving whilst under the influence of alcohol. The second operation was conducted in Hook Norton during the evening hours. Six motorists were stopped after being seen to leave licensed premises and again none of those stopped by officers were arrested.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Have Your Say online. You can now send non-emergency messages to us using the online form that is available on the Thames Valley Police website. A number of people have already sent their concerns using this method. For you to do that please follow the link https://reportonline.thamesvalley.police.uk .

Please allow some time for us to get back to you as we do check our mail box only at certain times of the day. Should you have any problems or concerns please phone the Thames Valley Police non-emergency number on 101 or email BanburyRuralNHPT@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk . In an emergency please dial 999.