Witney News - Witney Neighbourhood Management Update - June 2008

Witney Neighbourhood Management Update - June 2008

Neighbourhood Specialist Officer PC Duncan Johnson provides June’s update:

“An issue that has come to light over the past month is the number of recorded incidents of criminal damage. Around 40 occurred in a week between 13 and 20 May across the district, but mainly in Witney. They were down to a group of youths driving around West Oxfordshire and seemingly firing pellets at vehicles.

“Four people were arrested after a witness came forward. If you see someone damaging property, please contact us and tell us what you have seen on 0845 8 505 505. Or, if the crime is in progress, call 999. Here are some points to look for when trying to help us catch these individuals:
• Name
• Approximate age
• Gender
• Race
• Height
• Clothing
• Hair colour and style
• Any marks, scars, piercings, tattoos or other identifying features
• What the individual is carrying

If a vehicle is involved try to get:
• Make
• Model
• Colour
• Full or part of the registration number
• Last direction of travel

“This information is extremely valuable to us and can help us crack down on those who believe it is acceptable to damage other people’s property.


Witney

“On the evening of the final day of the school for year 11 pupils, PCSOs Tracy Waller and Kat Giles were on duty between 5pm and midnight. During this time they came across a large number of year 11 pupils and between the two of them they seized approximately 170 units of alcohol from them. The parents were also called to pick up their children.

“Local supermarkets were alerted to the situation so that they could be more vigilant in who they served on that night. This was good proactive work by our officers and we received no complaints regarding anti-social behaviour or underage drinking that night.

“The team also participated at the Henry Box School prom night by ushering vehicles through a one way system to ease traffic congestion in the town centre.

“The team has undertaken further Speed Indicator Device (SID) operations in Leafield, Ducklington and on the Burford Road. These operations follow other results gained from a device we use to measure the speed of vehicles over a very wide timescale on a single road.

The results from the SID are encouraging given that there appears to be no need for enforcement at these sites at the moment. If you believe that speeding is a problem on your road let us know and we will look into it for you.

“Myself and PCSO Hilary Rabson took part in the annual litter pick up at Madley Park along with 45 volunteers from the local community.

“Over the bank holiday weekend PCSOs Hilary Rabson and Emma Andrews provided high visibility at the local beauty spot Combe Gate. Advice was offered to members of the public with regards to leaving valuables in their vehicles.

Ducklington

“There have been a few incidents where youths have entered sheds on the allotments at Ducklington roundabout and stolen tools and wheelbarrows. The team has increased its patrols in this area.

Hailey

“On Monday 19 May PCSOs Hilary Rabson and Isabel Webb held a drop-in surgery which proved popular with residents coming to talk about any issues or to introduce themselves to the team.

Minster Lovell

“There have been no incidents this month but PCSOs Webb and Rabson have increased patrols to the Old Ruins and Ripley Avenue where a small quantity of alcohol was seized.

Curbridge

“There were three incidents of criminal damage to vehicles in the village. Enquiries are ongoing and patrols have been increased.

Leafield

“PCSOs Webb and Rabson held a drop-in surgery on Tuesday 13 May. This was very successful with a constant stream of visitors to the mobile police station, helped by the change of location to outside The Fox public house.”

“If you have any information on the incidents in this update please contact the team on 0845 8 505 505 or email [email protected]”