Witney News - Witney Neighbourhood Management Update - October 2008

Witney Neighbourhood Management Update - October 2008

Neighbourhood Specialist Officer PC Chris Ince provides this month’s update:

“September has been a busy month again for the neighbourhood policing team at Witney. PCSO MC Tutty has been on patrol in her area where residents and a local primary school reported to her that over one weekend a custom set of goalposts belonging to the school had gone missing and had been found on the driveway of a resident. Witnesses have come forward to identify the people involved and several arrests will be made.

“A number of the team have also been involved in an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) operation. The system ‘reads’ the number plates of moving vehicles and checks registered databases for any traffic related offences like driving with no insurance. The operation was a great success and people were arrested for having no insurance, possession of class A drugs, and six cars were seized too.

“On Friday 26 September a 16-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was seen drunk in Witney town centre. The male was abusive and threatening towards members of the public, door staff and the PCSOs who detained him until a police officer arrived to make an arrest for being drunk and disorderly. He has subsequently been bailed to appear in court.

“Over September the team has been continuing their efforts with the underage drinkers in Witney. The team has been out nearly every weekend and often the ramifications of underage drinking can be quite serious. Any under 18s caught are still referred to our parent alcohol education workshops which have proved successful.

“Do you want to get your bike post coded? The team will be in Market Square on Thursday 30th October. The bike marking is free and helps us identify the owner should a bike be stolen and recovered.”

Minster Lovell
“Offenders entered the site of a local transport company on Brize Norton Road during the night of 27th September. They then siphoned fuel from four of the company’s vehicles. No witnesses have come forward so far but if you saw anything please contact us on 0845 8505 505.”

Curbridge
“A member of the public recently reported to us the theft of electric fence equipment surrounding their field. The real concern was that this could lead to the theft of their pony, which was then moved as a preventative measure. If you are the owner of a horse or pony there are a number of steps you can take to prevent theft. These include micro-chipping and this can be done by your local vet. Freeze marking the animal with an ID number and becoming a member of Thames Valley Police Horse Watch are also options to consider. For more information about this free scheme please contact the administrator on 01993 861640.”

Leafield
“A member of the public found an intruder when he visited a relative’s property in Leafield at 3.30pm on Sunday 6 September. The man immediately ran away and although no crimes have been committed the behaviour of this man was clearly suspicious. He is described as white, aged in his 40’s with dark curly hair and a moustache. He was wearing blue jeans and a fleece. If you saw this man beforehand or have any information please contact us on 0845 8505 505.

“And finally to end on a good note. Everyone who lives locally to Witney will be aware of the annual Witney Feast that takes place on the Leys around the beginning of September. The Feast was policed by the neighbourhood team on both nights and given the volume of people that attended the event I am pleased to say that there was no trouble. Exactly as a family fair should be I think so my thanks to all involved.”