The Community Safety Newsletter aims to keep residents informed about what the Community Safety Partnership has been involved with in Chiltern and South Bucks districts in the last month.
Safer Buckinghamshire Community Safety Partnership Survey
The new Safer Buckinghamshire Community Safety Partnership will be coming into effect from April 2020 (in line with the creation of the new Buckinghamshire Council). To help shape our priorities we are asking residents and businesses to give their feedback by completing a short survey.
If you would like your views heard please complete the following survey by Sunday 23rd February 2020: https://shadow.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/safer-bucks-survey/
Christmas Tree Festival
Jane Brown, Ivers Area Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator attended the Christmas Tree Festival on Friday 6th December- Sunday 8th December at St Peter's Church, Iver.
Jane displayed a special 'Neighbourhood Watch' Christmas Tree during the festival promoting two Community Safety projects she is currently involved in:
- Community Speed Watch - Speeding is a constant concern for South Bucks and is one of the Fatal 4
- Smartville - A CCTV initiative to deter & detect crime funded by residents
Misbourne School
In December Thames Valley Police's Schools Officer, Claire Annison was invited into Misbourne school, Great Missenden to help pupils with their Crime and Punishment module, as part of the subject of Social Sciences. A first for this subject the teacher felt that it would be a really good experience for pupils to gain first-hand knowledge and understanding of consequences and how it affects those dealing with crime and why they do the job they do.
A question and answer session was set up so that each pupil had a chance to ask a relevant question relating to policing and prisons to the panel of four which consisted of Claire Annison, Eve Chason, Community Safety Officer, Joshua, a trainee Police Officer and PSCO Chris Hinkley-Ging who as a former prison officer could give a view of life in a juvenile prison.
Two session were held for an hour with the pupils asking some really interesting and well thought out questions. The morning was such a success that we have been asked if we would be happy to be included for next year's group.
Have Your Say
To give residents the opportunity to raise any issues or concerns within their community the Chiltern and South Bucks Neighbourhood Policing Teams hold regular Have Your Say events. During January we joined the local Neighbourhood Team at the following Have Your Says:
- Monday 6th January - Great Missenden Train Station
- Thursday 9th January - Sainsburys, Chesham
- Tuesday 28th January - Amersham Library, Chiltern District Council Offices
- Wednesday 29th January - Fulmer Village Hall
To find out when and where the next 'Have Your Say' will be in your area take a look at the following website: https://www.police.uk/
South Bucks Community Forum
The South Bucks Community Forum took place on Tuesday 14th January at Richings Park Sports Club, Richings Park. The Forum was well attended and their was some great discussion on what the neighbourhood policing priorities should be for the next quarter. A survey was circulated prior to the forum so residents could share there views. The results were discussed and the priorities have been set as follows:
- Residential Burglary
- Anti-Social Behaviour
- Speeding
We would like to thank everyone who took the time to complete the Neighbourhood Policing Priorities survey and to those who attended the Community Forum.
Safeguarding Training
On Wednesday 15th January we organised Safeguarding Training for Paradigm Housing Association. It was a really informative training morning and the feedback was very positive. The day covered:
- Stronghold Thames Valley Police’s commitment to reducing levels of serious and organised crime in the region. Detective Inspector Andrew Alexander gave an overview on organised crime, county lines, fear of crime and the partnership response to organised crime.
- Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) & Closure Orders Thames Valley Police's Chiltern and South Bucks ASB Team gave a general overview of what they do locally, what support they require and the Court process stages.
- Prevent WRAP (Workshop to Raise Awareness of Prevent) Part of the UK’s counter terrorism strategy, preventing people from becoming involved in terrorism or supporting terrorism. This training covered; thinking about who may be vulnerable to terrorism, see why some people are able to influence and manipulate others to commit crimes, recognise when a vulnerable individual may be in need of your help and be clear on what help and support looks like in this area.
Friends Against Scams
We supported a Friends Against Scams talk with Chess Vale Women's Institute (WI), Chesham on Thursday 16th January. Sarah, NatWest Community Banker gave a presentation on the different types of scams, what to look out for and who to contact for help.
We gave an overview of what the Community Safety Team do and informed members of the WI about the Safe Place Scheme. This was really well received with everyone pleased to hear that there are temporary safe havens on their local high street.
Neighbourhood Watch
Neighbourhood Watch is one of the biggest and most successful crime prevention initiatives. With the help of our Area Neighbourhood Watch Coordinators and the local Neighbourhood Policing Teams we are always seeking to get more schemes up and running across Chiltern and South Bucks.
This month new NHW schemes have been set up in the following South Bucks roads:
- East Burnham Lane, Thompkins Lane and Allerds Road, Farnham Royal
- The Close, Iver Heath
If you would like to set up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in your road or would like further information please contact us on: 01494 586535 or via email: CommunitySafety@chilternandsouthbucks.gov.uk
No Doorstep Selling Zone
No Doorstep Selling Zones are an initiative to help combat the problem of doorstep crime. Supported by Chiltern and South Bucks District Councils, Thames Valley Police, Neighbourhood watch and partners, the zones aim to make residents feel safer in their own homes.
Areas that are part of the scheme are provided with signs to advise potential sellers that residents in the area do not want 'doorstep selling'. This makes it easier for residents to say NO to sellers who appear at their door, and assists the Police when speaking to doorstep callers in the area.
During January the following roads have been set up as No Doorstep Selling Zones:
- Clifton Road, Chesham Bois
- Clifton Lawns, Chesham Bois
If you would like more information on how to set up a zone in your street please contact us: communitysafety@chilternandsouthbucks.gov.uk or on: 01494 586535
Safe Place Scheme
The Safe Place Scheme gives vulnerable residents a temporary safe place to go to if they are feeling confused, scared or upset whilst out in their local town.
We have a wide range of shops and bussinesses within our communities who have signed up to become a temporary safe place. Those on board will display the below window sticker and will offer the person in need a safe haven until support arrives.
All shops and businesses taking part in the scheme are listed on our websites:
Bike Marking
We would like to encourage Chiltern and South Bucks residents to take a few minutes to security mark any valuable new items they may have received as gifts or bought over Christmas, such as bikes. Becoming more conscious of how secure your bike is and by marking them will reduce the risk of theft.
Whilst some bicycles are returned to their owners, most are never seen again because they have no markings on them, or no recorded details such as frame serial numbers and size, make, model, colour or a picture.
Bike marking is a simple solution to this problem and means that the police are more likely to identify the bike and return it to the owner: a simple sticker with your postcode on, stuck to the inside of your bike frame, will inform the police of ownership.
If you are a Chiltern or South Bucks resident and would like a free bike marking label please email: Communitysafety@chilternandsouthbucks.gov.uk advising how many you require along with your address.
The following video shows how quick and simple bike marking is!
MARK IT, LOCK IT OR LOSE IT!
Money Sense Workshop
Community Safety will be attending the below Money Sense Workshop aimed for children aged 5- 11 years old.
Sexual Assault & Abuse Support Service
If you would like more information and advice from the Community Safety Team please contact us at CommunitySafety@chilternandsouthbucks.gov.uk or on 01494 586535