Thames Valley Police

Thames Valley Alert: Shed and garage security advice

We have received an increase in reports of sheds and garages being broken into recently. Please review your security and read the follow advice to reduce the chances of being a victim of this type of crime.

Opportunist thieves identify sheds and garages as easy pickings because they are usually fairly unprotected and lack basic security measures. The buildings often contain property that can be sold on or implements that can be used to force entry into the owner’s home. Many people fall short on basic security of their sheds and garages.

  • Keep your shed/garage in good condition.
  • Fit a closed shackle padlock to the door.
  • Fittings should be bolted through the door and any screws concealed.
  • It is easy to unscrew the ironmongery, steal contents and in some cases replace the screws to make it look as if the shed has not been tampered with.
  • By using tamper proof screws or coach bolts, together with a good quality pad bar or hasp and staple and close shackled padlock, the shed owner will make it harder for the would-be thief.
  • Bond any window glass in with mastic to prevent easy removal. Fit grilles or mesh to windows to slow down the thief.
  • Ensure all equipment and tools are locked away when not in use.
  • Install a shed/garage alarm.
  • Post-code or mark all property such as lawnmowers, bikes, and tools using ultraviolet pens, forensic marking such as Selecta DNA, Smartwater or engravers.
  • Install security lighting as a deterrent, and plants such as thorny shrubs to act as a barrier at potential access points.
  • If building a shed, put it where it is most visible to you and neighbours.
  • Ensure ladders are locked to a secure fixture in the shed or garage so they can’t be used to reach top floor windows.
  • Chain large items such as bicycles together, making it much more difficult for a thief to carry away.
  • Fit a wire cage inside a shed where more expensive items can be locked away.
  • No thief wants to hang about longer than they have to so delay the time it will take them to get their hands on your tools

If you would like any further advice or information please call us via the 24 hour non-emergency telephone number 101 or visit www.thamesvalley.police.uk

Quiz Evening: A massive Thank you to everyone who came along

A massive Thank you to everyone who came along to our recent Quiz Evening and helped raise over £500 for breast cancer research (Walk the Walk charity).

Big thanks to all those who helped on the food/ bar /quiz questions and raffle.

Particular thanks go to Mark Jones our amazing Quiz Master!

Congratulations to the winning team ‘I thought this was speed dating…’

Now the training begins….
The DOTs
(Catharine, Jan, Helen, Jackie & Liz)

National Meadows Day!

Saturday 1st July 2017

Families and individuals are invited to the Hurst meadow: 10.00am to 12.00noon under the big oak tree. Everyone welcome

  • Help to install the ‘bug hotel’ built at the Dorchester Festival
  • Find out about the wildlife on the Hurst and how we know the animals are there
  • Story telling about meadow life
  • Demonstration of scything
  • Identifying meadow flowers

Hurst water meadow trust, Dorchester-on-thames, Oxfordshire

www.magnificentmeadows.org.uk

 

 

Thames Valley Police

Thames Valley Alert: Outside Water Safety

This hot weather has encouraged people to cool off in rivers, canals, ponds, quarries and lakes. Please be mindful that this can be very dangerous.

Dangers of open water:

  • The water may look calm on the surface, but there can be strong undercurrents that could pull even a strong swimmer under the water.
  • The water may feel warm on the surface, but just a few feet below the surface it can be icy cold.  The cold water can affect stamina and strength of swimmers.

Key safety tips for staying safe near water:

  • Alcohol and swimming do not mix! Stay out of the water if you have been drinking.
  • Never let any children swim in unsupervised areas like quarries, canals or ponds.
  • Never interfere with lifesaving equipment – you might need it yourself.
  • Swimming anywhere other than at purpose built and supervised swimming pools is highly dangerous and is not recommended, unless as part of an organised club.

Parents please make sure your children are aware of the dangers!

It is Drowning Prevention Week please visit http://www.rlss.org.uk for more info.

For more water safety advice please visit: http://www.rlss.org.uk/water-safety/water-safety/

Ever wanted to own your local community Pub?

This could be the first step. Some of you may know that the Fleur de Lys is for sale. Others of you may also know that over four years ago it was registered with SODC who are the administrators of Assets of Community Value (ACV`s) by a group of local customers who live in the village.

What this means is that if it is ever put on the market (as it is now), their is a 6 month moratorium on the sale during which members of the local community can assemble a consortium to buy and run it as a community pub.

In order to evaluate whether there is sufficient support to take this forward as a serious proposition there will be an initial meeting of interested parties at the Village Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday 6th July. Anyone who is interested will be welcome to come along to find out more and decide for themselves.

Friends of the Fleur
c/o Chris Hill – 340910