We have had a few vamoose burglaries in Didcot. A ‘Vamoose’ burglary is a name used by Thames Valley Police for a burglary that takes place specifically to the steal the keys to a high value or new vehicle.
Vamoose burglaries usually happen overnight when the occupants of a property are in bed asleep or whilst the home owners are away on holiday. Thames Valley Police would like to raise awareness as there has been a spate of recent offences across our Local Policing Area (LPA).

Recent offences have involved the offenders forcing entry to properties via the front door or a rear patio door. The ground floor of the property is then searched for the car keys. Typically, vehicle owners leave their car keys near to the front door or within a bag or coat pocket. The offenders will take the keys along with other nearby valuables such as phones/wallets, they then leave in your car! We are keen to prevent further offences and would like to offer you the following crime prevention advice:

• Hide your car keys away from windows and doors or take them up to bed with you
• If you are planning on going on holiday or will be leaving your property unoccupied for a period of time, consider leaving your car keys with a trusted neighbour or relative and where possible block your vehicles on driveways
• Ensure your doors and windows are locked, if you have a chain on the inside of your door, use it. Please see the home security leaflets enclosed for further useful advice
If you would like further advice on your home security, call 101. Ask for a member of your local Neighbourhood Policing Team to visit you.

Please be vigilant for a silver coloured Subaru Legacy estate with number plate ending PFE. The vehicle has a noticeably loud sports exhaust.

The vehicle is believed to have been seen at the scene of some rural crime near the Watlington area over the weekend.

If the vehicle is seen please call 101 with details of its location and direction of travel.

Many Thanks

PCSO C6795 Ryan Dollery

We have seen an increase in the theft of lead from roofs, particulary schools and churches.

Please consider the following if you have a lead roof:

• Security marking – marking the lead will make the crime less attractive and make it harder for the offenders to sell on. If you use a DNA marking solution i.e. SmartWater it can be traced back to the owner if recovered.
• Keep gates locked and restrict vehicle access.
• Maximise surveillance levels i.e. cutting back tall trees.
• Encourage members of the local community to keep an eye on the building and report anything suspicious.
• Remove things that might help thieves get access to the roof, like water butts, bins and tall trees.
• Conduct regular checks of the roof so the theft is detected at the earliest possible time.
• Apply anti-climb paint to drain pipes and guttering.
• Install CCTV.

If you have any information relating to these crimes please call us on 101.

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

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/