Message from Thames Valley Police Neighbourhood Action Group

Team News

The team participated in operations to tackle Halloween and Bonfire Night related crime and disorder. We are pleased report that we did not receive any reports of Anti Social behavior or related crime during these evenings. Neighborhood Officers were tasked with proactive patrols to ensure vulnerable people and previous victims of crime were given reassurance visited prior to the event. Officers attended local schools and village shops to provide education and support.

 Auto Crime

During September we experienced a series of twelve thefts of Catalytic converters from vehicles in Bodicote, Adderbury, Twyford and Hook Norton. The offender has overnight cut through metal to remove the converters from underneath vehicles. The thefts were conducted in quiet locations with no witnesses. The good news is by working in partnership with local detectives we have managed to identify the suspect. The male has been arrested, interviewed and due to be charged with the offences.

 

Catalytic converters are easy to steal and expensive to replace. If you see anyone acting suspiciously around vehicles or in your community, please report it as soon as possible. Take down a note of any vehicle registration numbers and descriptions of suspicious people and phone 999 or 101 to report. Where possible, park your vehicle in a well lit area and within easy sight. If possible, store your vehicle in a secure garage.

 

Rural Thefts

The Banbury Rural Neighborhood Police Team are continuing to work closely with the Neighborhood Action Group in tackling the current priorities of Burglary and Rural Thefts. The team will continue to deploy officers in a series of proactive operations which have produced positive results. During proactive operations, PCSO Alford was successful in identifying a van laden with stolen scrap metal in Bloxham. The vehicle and scrap metal was seized and the offender has been prosecuted. PC Hurst has this month successfully charged a prolific offender following a series of metal thefts in Alkerton. During investigation, PC Hurst identified a suspect who was arrested. The team searched the suspect’s house and located Class A drugs and unlicensed firearms. The male has been charged with four offences and will appear in court next month.

 

Rural Thefts are now a Thames Valley Force Priority and we would ask all members of the community to contact the police with any suspicious vehicles/people driving slowly through the villages looking for or collecting scrap metal immediately. If the vehicle registration number, description of the vehicle and persons can be obtained and passed to Thames Valley Police by calling 101, officers will be dispatched to stop the vehicle and deal with any offences identified.

 

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. Please allow some time for us to get back to you as we check our mail box at certain times of the day.