The Community Safety Newsletter aims to keep residents informed about what the Community Safety Partnership has been involved in across Bucks within the last month.
Buckinghamshire Council
On 1st April 2020, the new Buckinghamshire Council was formed. As one Community Safety team we will bring all of our knowledge and experience together, to improve things even more for our residents across Buckinghamshire. You can continue to contact us in the same way you usually would and via the new Buckinghamshire Council's social media accounts.
Contact details:
- Aylesbury area: 01296 585858 communitysafety.av@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
- Chiltern area: 01494 586535 communitysafety.csb@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
- South Bucks area: 01494 586535 communitysafety.csb@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
- Wycombe area: 01494 421117 communitysafety.wyc@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Social Media accounts:
- Community Safety Twitter @Bucks_Safety
- Bucks Council Twitter @BucksCouncil
- Communities Facebook @bcccomunities
- Bucks Council Facebook @BucksCouncil
- Bucks Council Nextdoor: Nextdoor
Domestic Abuse
Despite the government restrictions on movement, anyone suffering domestic abuse can leave their home and seek help. With the ongoing coronavirus crisis putting a strain on many families and individuals, we are continuing to work closely with partners to ensure those at risk of domestic abuse are able to access the help they need to be safe.
The following local and national domestic abuse services are continuing to offer support, including online and telephone services:
- 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247
- Aylesbury Women's Aid www.aylesburywomensaid.org.uk 01296 437 777
- Wycombe Women's Aid www.wycombewomensaid.org.uk 01494 461 367
- Victims First www.victims-first.org.uk 0300 1234 148
- Safe http://www.safeproject.org.uk/ 0800 1337 938
- Childline https://www.childline.org.uk/ 0800 1111
- Aylesbury Vale & Milton Keynes Sexual Assault and Abuse Support www.avmksaass.org.uk 01296 719 772
- Give us a Shout www.giveusashout.org
- Reducing the risk www.reducingtherisk.org.uk
Silent Solution
Anyone in immediate danger should call 999. If in danger and unable to talk, dial 999 from your mobile and then press 55. This will transfer the call to the police, who will assist without the caller having to speak, see below for full details on the Silent Solution. Non-emergencies should be reported to the Police on 101, alternatively you can report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Coronavirus Scams
Fraudsters are exploiting the coronavirus crisis to carry out various scams. This could include taking advantage of the NHS Test and Trace system. NHS Test and Trace contact tracers will only call you from the number 0300 013 5000. You can request the service sends an email or text instead; a unique reference number will be sent inviting you to log into the following directly from your browser - Contact Tracing
To ensure we are staying vigilant during this time the Friends Against Scams training now includes coronavirus related scams. The online training takes approximately 20 minutes and is a great way to gain knowledge of scams to share with family members, friends and neighbours: Friends Against Scams
Online safety
With the increase in children being online for entertainment, staying in touch with their friends and to complete school work there is an increase in risks; chatting and meeting new people on the internet can be fun and appealing however this opens up opportunities for them to be contacted by adults. It’s now more vital than ever that we talk to our children about staying safe online.
There are a variety of resources available for parents, carers and children some of which are listed below:
- Social media, games and apps guide for parents & carers: Net Aware Guides
- NSPCC How to spot the signs of grooming: NSPCC Grooming
- Keeping safe whilst gaming: Think You Know Gaming
- Online safety at home activity packs: Think You Know Activity Packs
- Online safety animations, created for different age groups: Jessie and Friends
- Action for Children five step toolkit: Internet Safety Toolkit
- Help and advice for families in a digital world: Parent Info Support & Guidance
- Government Guidance: Staying Safe Online
Neighbourhood Watch Week
With the rise in neighbours talking to one another and looking out for those most vulnerable, this years theme for Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) week was to thank and celebrate the actions of our neighbours, no matter how big or small. Across Buckinghamshire we have numerous active NHW schemes and we would like to take this time to thank all of our wonderful NHW coordinators and members for their hard work and continued support.
If you would like details on how to set up a NHW Scheme or would like to know if there is an existing scheme in your road please visit the Our Watch website.
Coronavirus support and information
Locally, there has been an amazing response to the coronavirus and to show how proud we are of Bucks, Buckinghamshire council has launched the Proud of Bucks Blog to showcase the efforts of individuals, voluntary groups, businesses and staff members who are helping those in need.
For further information on the coronavirus, service changes and details on how to access support across Buckinghamshire please visit the new Buckinghamshire Council's website: Bucks Coronavirus information
If you would like further information or advice from the Community Safety Team please contact us:
- Aylesbury area: 01296 585 858 communitysafety.av@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
- Chiltern area: 01494 586 535 communitysafety.csb@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
- South Bucks area: 01494 586 535 communitysafety.csb@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
- Wycombe area: 01494 421 117 communitysafety.wyc@buckinghamshire.gov.uk