South Buckinghamshire Rural Crime Newsletter Summer/Autumn 2022

Dear Country Watch Member

With the merger of Wycombe and South Buckinghamshire Local Policing Area’s this letter will now go across all of South Buckinghamshire LPA. The purpose of such a newsletter is to make our members and residents aware of current crime trends to allow them to take action and develop working practices to reduce crime.

Events:  In May, we conducted a day of action focusing on Horse Yards, making people aware of current issues and giving out crime advice.  With such a large area and community, it was good to speak to farmers directly about the problems they are facing.  This summer we attended local shows, and you may have met team members at The Buckinghamshire County, Chalfont St Giles or Henley Shows.  

At 6 p.m. on Monday 3rd October 2022, Thames Valley Police and The Kimblewick Hunt will be running a rural event for farmers and landowners in improving farm and land security at Cholsey Grange Farm, Ibstone, HP14 3XT ( What 3 Words hounded.swinging.collapsed). The event is free of charge and refreshments will be provided. Topics will include advice on: gated access, fly-tipping, hare coursing, CCTV systems and cattle rustling. RSVP by e-mail before 29th September 2022 to TED@COUNTRYSIDEMARKETING.CO.UK if you are interested in attending.

Operations and battling crime:  From a Neighbourhood Sgts point of view, the introduction of the Rural Crime Taskforce has had a significant effect on how the police target and protect our rural community.   Rural crime victims may have met our local contact PC Huw Kime who is based at Amersham.   I have seen first-hand the work that he is doing for the community and it is great to be working with him and his team. 

To successfully deal with the different types of rural crime, we need to work with our bordering forces as frequently criminals are travelling from other areas.  Over the last 3 years, joint operations have achieved some great results in stopping all types of crime.  We will work with High Wycombe, Herts Pol and the Met and will utilise our own proactive Road Policing Department and Rural Taskforce.  Analytical data will focus us to target identified routes to intercept travelling criminals on our road networks.   These operations have had a massive effect on reducing burglary and seizing drugs in transit. 

Our June Operation resulted in five people being arrested for various offences, seven vehicles being recovered, two of which were stolen motor vehicles and 8 people being reported or receiving police disposals.

With the increase in plant theft if you are driving through our area towing plant, on an operation day, you can expect to be stopped and have your vehicle and equipment thoroughly checked, to ensure that no traffic offences have been committed and that the plant you have is not stolen. 

Crime and Trends:  With the sudden increase with prices, we are expecting an increase in the following: Thefts of fuel and theft of feed.  One of the most common offences is theft of trailers that are regularly targeted by criminals.   I recommend CESAR marking by Data Tag on all trailers to assist the police in being able to identify true owners.  NFU insurance offer a significant insurance reduction so this does make sense and pays for itself.

I have done an overview of rural crime since the start of June for the South Buckinghamshire areas:

Arsons; worryingly with the hot weather there were a number of reports of arsons.  Areas hit included Knotty Green, Iver, Denham, Chesham, Wexham, Gt Hampden and High Wycombe.

ASB: Saunderton and Bradenham particularly suffered from motor bikes.  The cricket pitch was targeted in Bradenham. Other areas targeted included Gt Kingshill and Iver.

Burglaries: Little Hampden – stolen whacker plate and generator, Hambledon – stolen tools, Amersham – theft of piglet, Amersham – theft of metal and farm gates, Gt Missenden – theft of BMW, hi-fi system and other items.  Ashridge – theft of Mitsubishi L200.  Chesham – barn s broken into. 

Criminal Damage: Damage to fencing and gates in Iver, Chalfont St Peter, Denham.  Illegal digging on Coleshill Common. 

Hunting/Harecoursing: Reports of incidents in Saunderton, Iver, Burnham, Chalfont St Peter, Fawley, Flackwell Heath, Marlow, Cressex and Bourne End.  Shot goose in Chesham.  Shot swan in Iver.  Common themes of catapults being used in a large number of cases.

Thefts: Theft of trailers at Marlow, Wooburn Green, Gerrards Cross, Chesham, Chalfont St Giles.  Theft of electric fence and equipment in Longwick.  Theft of scrap metal in Hazlemere and Flaunden.  Theft of garden tools in Fingest.  Theft of fuel in Burnham.  Theft of Shetland pony from Jordans.

Other incidents of note:  A report of a 10 year old driving a tractor by himself sowing crops.  A sheep attack by dogs in Coleshill.  Suspicious incident with men taking pictures of horses in Wooburn Green then running off when challenged.  Suspicious incident with male in 07 plate BMW checking out land and asking if person wanted to buy some computer tablets.  Developer disrupting nesting birds in Holmer Green.

Crime Reduction Advice:  To defeat criminals we need to work together with the most important partner you!  Please ensure that your sites has set security procedures i.e.:

• Site access – Is it secure?   Are your gates locked?
• Challenge stranger protocol – Does your team challenge strangers.
• Could the police identify your farm in an emergency? – Is there a visible name sign?  Have you recorded What3Words location markers for your fields to assist call handlers?
• Serial numbers – Have you recorded the serial numbers of tools and plant.   You can register, for free at www.immobilise.com. Have postcodesbeen etched on tools.  This is essential for police to identify stolen property, as it is likely to be moved around the country.
• Key security –  Could intruders easily access keys and steal your plant machinery?
• Quad bikes – These are highly wanted by criminals.  Keep out of sight and store in locked location.  Could items be blocked in or double locked. 
• Country Watch Signs – Available from the police if signed up to Countrywatch.  Let people know that you do take your security seriously.

As you can see from the above basic, but effective, security procedures should not cost you the earth and could save you a real headache.   If you would like free Country Watch or Sheep Grazing signs then contact your local Neighbourhood Team.

Whats App: Following the launch of the Chiltern Rural Community Group Whats App Group is now up and running.  The group is run by the public for you.  There has been a luke warm take-up from the community. If you would like to sign up please e-mail Nicole at clerk@pennparish.org.uk.  There is the Land Watch Whats App group for South Bucks. Tabish from Beaconsfield Parish Council administrates this scheme and if you would like to join please e-mail Projectsupport@beaconsfieldtowncouncil.gov.uk or call 01494 675173.

It is important to report all crimes. We need information to target resources and develop intelligence.  Tell us if you think an offence has or is about to be committed. If it is happening now, ring 999. If you have information that does not require an immediate response report it to Thames Valley Police online or by calling 101.  You can report or pass information about rural crime anonymously to the Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.

Stay safe and keep those eyes peeled.

Yours sincerely

PS 3675 Darren Walsh, Amersham Police Station, Amersham Neighbourhood Police Team

PS 7962 Ollie Brixey, Marlow Police Station, Wycombe Rural Neighbourhood Police Team