This page is relevant to all villages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nottingham Knockers

A great deal of people, especially the lone elderly, do not like opening their front door to be face to face with a young man selling what most households already have in their possession. If anything, the Nottingham Knocker call is more akin to menacing begging based on some of the Facebook posts regarding this activity. Often, a Facebook post raises the alarm for locals so that they can be more wary of opening the door. Stickers on doors stating 'No doorstep Selling Zone' do not deter these people. Most of the time the Facebook alarm is too late and so a simple Whatsapp group for an instant alert would work better. A simple statement of Road and Village will quickly highlight where these activities are taking place.
If you want to be notified by and/or notify your neighbours of activity in the areas covered by these pages follow the instructions below.
Click here to join if you're reading this on your mobile or scan the QR code with your phone if looking at this on your PC.

 

 

 

 

Women in policing - Discover your future

 

Thames Valley Police Women’s Network Celebrates 20 Years of Empowering Women in Policing - Register here.

 

This year marks a significant milestone for Thames Valley Police Women’s Network (TVWN) as it celebrates 20 years since its inception. Over the past two decades, the network has played a pivotal role in shaping a more inclusive and supportive environment for women across the force.

 

Since 2005, Thames Valley Police has seen a 191% increase in the number of female officers. On 31 March 2005, women represented 23.7% of our police officers (1,018 officers). Today, as of 30 September 2025, that figure stands at 38% (1,944 officers). Women now make up 48% of our entire workforce, and last year alone, 40% of all police officer applications were from women—a testament to the progress made in attracting and retaining female talent.

 

To celebrate this achievement, TVWN is hosting a series of internal events, including webinars and a Health and Wellbeing Day. A highlight of the celebrations is the ‘Women in Policing’ Careers Online Event, designed for women curious about a career in policing.

 

Event Details:

📅Tuesday 25 November

🕖7:00 PM

💻Online Webinar

 

Hosted by Detective Chief Inspector Tracey Smyth, TVWN Chair, and Detective Inspector Kelly Reed, Deputy Chair, alongside colleagues from our recruitment team, this interactive session will give attendees the chance to ask questions, learn about the recruitment process, and hear first-hand experiences from women in policing.

 

DCI Tracey Smyth encourages “Women can have incredible careers in policing, we are seeing more women than ever progressing into specialist teams as well as developing upwards. As a network our role is to CONNECT women through shared experiences and valuable advice, offering programs like mentorships, a maternity buddy system, and guidance on menopause-related challenges. We SUPPORT by advocating for women’s voices in policy discussions, championing gender equality, flexible working options, and improved work/life balance. And we INSPIRE every woman to realize her full potential and achieve her career goals within our organisation.”

 

Why TVWN Matters

With over 1,000 members, TVWN exists to connect, support, and inspire women within Thames Valley Police. Acting as a critical friend to the force, the network has driven cultural change and championed initiatives that make a real difference, including:

 

• Mentorship & Coaching
• Maternity Engagement Plan & Phased Return to Work – ensuring parents feel valued and supported.
• ‘Boost’ Programme – helping hundreds of women build confidence and thrive in their careers.
• Annual Development Days – inspiring speakers and practical workshops.
• Menopause Action Group (MAG) – the first of its kind in UK policing, leading to multiple national awards for inclusivity.

 

Join Us

If you’re considering a career in policing, this is your opportunity to explore what Thames Valley Police can offer. Register now and take the first step toward an exciting and rewarding career.

 

Don’t let fraudsters dull your sparkle this festive season!

 

The run-up to the festive season is often a whirlwind—exciting, but also stressful. With the added hustle and bustle on top of everyday demands, it’s easy to feel pressured to act fast and make quick decisions.

 

Unfortunately, fraudsters are counting on this. They exploit the chaos to their full advantage, turning festive cheer into empty bank accounts, financial strain, and shattered plans.

 

The good news? The Central Fraud Unit at Thames Valley Police has put together top tips to help you keep the season merry and bright—free from the fear of fraud.

 

There are 3 key areas of focus which can help disrupt the fraudster’s plans and keep our festive plans on track.

 

Research sellers to check they are legitimate

 

You can check whether an online shop is legitimate—especially if it’s one you haven’t used before—by researching it first. Look for reviews on trusted consumer websites or from people and organisations you know you can rely on.

 

Be alert for suspicious emails or text messages (known as phishing) that include links to fake shopping sites offering deals that seem too good to be true. Criminals can easily copy the design of genuine websites, including logos, trademarks, and product images. They often use deceptive web addresses, such as www.tescos-sales.com, which can look similar to the real domain www.tesco.com.

 

If you’re unsure about a link, don’t click it. Instead:

 

Type the official website address directly into your browser’s address bar (if you know it).

Search for the organisation online and take time to review the search results—don’t just click the first link.

If you receive a suspicious email, report it by forwarding it to phishing@report.gov.uk. Suspicious SMS/Text messages can also be forwarded to 7726 , which spells our ‘SPAM’ on the telephone keypad.

 

Use a credit card or secure payment platform

 

Whenever possible, use a credit card for online payments. Credit cards often provide additional protection under the Consumer Credit Act.

 

Debit cards offer less protection, but you may still be able to request a refund through a voluntary scheme known as ‘chargeback’.

 

If you choose payment services like PayPal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay, review their terms and conditions to understand what buyer protection they offer.

 

Never pay by direct bank transfer—it offers no protection and is a common method used by fraudsters.

 

Only provide required details on checkout

 

When making a payment, only provide the essential details—usually marked with an asterisk—such as your address. Unless you plan to shop regularly with the retailer, avoid creating an account. Instead:

 

• Choose ‘Guest Checkout’ whenever possible, so you don’t need to register to complete your purchase.
• Use secure payment platforms like PayPal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay, which typically allow you to pay without creating a store account.
• Don’t allow your browser to save payment details if prompted.
• If you do create an account, never store your bank or card details for future purchases—it’s safer to enter them each time.

 

Further steps on how to minimise the risk of fraud can be found in the Fraud Protection toolkit which is an exclusive publication by the Central Fraud Unit, focusing on each route of contact fraudsters exploit.

 

The Central Fraud Unit also run an account on ‘X’, packed full of essential fraud protect advice. Follow @TVPCyber_Fraud

 

If you have been a victim of fraud, notify your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. Always call 999 in an emergency.

 

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

 

Police CyberCheck: Strengthen Your Cybersecurity Today

 

Fraud and cybercrime are now the most common crimes in the UK. Criminals often hack email and social media accounts to take over your online life.

 

Once inside, they can:

 

- Reset passwords for banking, shopping, and payment apps.

 

- Steal money or make purchases in your name.

 

- Use your social media to target friends and family.

 

The Solution Police CyberCheck is a free, mobile-friendly tool created by the South East Cyber Crime Unit. It gives you step-by-step actions to improve your cybersecurity in priority order.

 

What You’ll Get

 

- Clear guidance split into three levels: Foundation, Improver, Enhanced.

 

- Action cards with links for popular platforms and apps.

 

- No signup required – optional progress saving via email (we never store your address).

 

Why Use Police CyberCheck?

 

✔Free and official Police resource

 

✔Mobile-friendly and easy to follow

 

✔No installation or technical jargon

 

Start Now: Visit here.

 

Operation Grotto Annual Winter burglary campaign update

 

Operation Grotto units have been continuing with their anti-burglary patrols over the past few weeks, primarily in but not limited to the areas where we see the most reports of burglary offences, these continue to be towns and parishes in the South Buckinghamshire area.  They have also been focusing their patrols on certain roads with the aim to combat cross county offending.

 

Officers have been attending burglaries in progress and following up on multiple vehicles that have activated ANPR systems. This is all with the aim to detect, deter and disrupt potential criminal activity in hours of darkness.

 

Crime prevention efforts also continue to take place, while out on night time patrols officers have been on the look out for homes that may be appealing targets for burglars whether it be because a window has been left open or it has been left in complete darkness, residents were given safety advice where possible.

 

Your local neighbourhood teams are still conducting their crime prevention pop ups or “Have your say” events to offer residents advice and security tips on keeping their homes as safe and secure as possible this winter. If you would like to find out when and where your next local event is, please visit Home | Thames Valley Police, type your local area in the search bar and go to the “events” tab on the page.

 

 

Council calls for more community tree planting
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Buckinghamshire Council is celebrating National Tree Week by announcing plans to expand the scope of its Bucks Tree Mission project - which has planted over 216,000 trees on council-owned land during the past four years.

Last winter, five new woodlands were planted across the county, from Billet Field Wood, by Black Park in the south, to Roddimore Wood, near Winslow in the north. This took the total number of new woodlands established under the Bucks Tree Mission to nine.

The next phase of the Bucks Tree Mission will provide new opportunities outside of council-owned land to encourage individuals and organisations to get involved with tree planting and help to achieve the ambition of planting over half a million new trees by 2030.

The council is already working with over 25 partners across the county to plant more trees including environmental groups, charities, and parish and town councils.

Find out more about Bucks Tree Mission at: Tree planting schemes | Buckinghamshire Council

 

 

Annual Survey - Crime and Community

The launch of our annual survey looking at your experience of crime and your connection to your local community. The data from the survey goes into a report which we publish on the website, and use to help prioritise our work.

The survey takes about ten minutes to complete, and if you can spare the time, we really hope that you will make your views known to us - it really is appreciated! The survey will close on 1 December 2026.

Take the survey now

 

 

 

 

Quishing for Trouble: When Scanning Leads to Scams” - Police warn of QR code fraud.

 

Thames Valley Police are urging the public to remain vigilant to fraudulent QR codes which can easily turn from convenience to con.

 

‘Quishing’ or ‘QR Code Phishing’, involves tricking someone into scanning a QR code which once scanned, will take you to a bogus website where you innocently input your details thinking you are paying for a service or visiting the genuine site, when in fact, you are unknowingly sharing all your personal details with criminals, which could lead to Identity fraud

 

QR codes are often found on things like parking machines, charging points, emails, even restaurant menus.

 

Detective Inspector Duncan Wynn, Head of Central Fraud Unit at Thames Valley Police said:

 

“While QR codes offer a convenient option for saving time, they can lead to fraud if they have been tampered with by fraudsters. I encourage you to take a moment to stop! think fraud when reaching to scan a code.

 

If the QR code is on a poster in a public area, always check whether it appears to have been stuck over the original. If the sign or notice is laminated and the QR code is under the lamination or part of the original print, chances are it is more likely to be genuine.

 

• If in doubt, download the app from the official Google or Apple store or search the website on your phone’s internet browser, rather          than scanning a QR code to take you there. It may take longer, but it is more secure.
• Use your phone’s built-in QR scanner (available in most Camera apps) rather than downloading third-party QR scanning apps, which can sometimes be risky.
• Trust your instincts. If something does not seem right, do not scan, alert the owner of the QR code and police by calling 101 to report.

 

Quishing can also occur on online shopping platforms, where sellers received a QR code via email to either verify accounts or to receive payment for sold items.

 

Fraudsters may impersonate banks, or other UK government organisations such as HMRC. If you receive an email with a QR code in it, and you are asked to scan it, you should be cautious due to an increase in these types of 'quishing' attacks.

 

Detective Inspector Duncan Wynn, continues:

 

“Resolving identity fraud, which can happen because of scanning a fraudulent QR code is often a lengthy and complex process.

 

When criminals use stolen personal details to obtain financial products such as loans or credit cards, victims can face significant challenges in proving their identity, restoring their credit profile, and regaining financial security.

 

This can take considerable time and effort, underscoring the importance of vigilance and preventative measures.”

 

Taking an extra few moments to double-check really can save time overall.”

 

If you receive a suspicious email, report it by forwarding it to phishing@report.gov.uk

 

Find out how to protect yourself from fraud: https://stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk

 

If you have been a victim of fraud, report it at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, contact Police Scotland on 101.

 

Beware of winter fuel payment scams

 

Between April and September 2025, Action Fraud has received 2,790 crime reports relating to Winter Fuel Payment scams, with victims reporting losses totalling over £27,000.

 

Winter Fuel Payments are made automatically, you do not need to do anything. If you receive any text messages about Winter Fuel Payments, it’s a scam.

 

Not sure if a message is real? Contact the organisation directly using the contact details on their official website, not the number or web address in the message. Your bank (or any other official source) won’t ask you to supply personal information by email or text message.

 

If you have spotted a suspicious SMS or RCS message, you can report it for FREE by forwarding it to 7726.

 

If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040, or call Police Scotland on 101.

 

 

Buckinghamshire ‘Speaks Up’ against stalking
​
Buckinghamshire Council is proud to support White Ribbon Day 2025, the UK’s leading campaign to end violence against women and girls (VAWG).

White Ribbon Day takes place annually on November 25 and the theme for this year is “We Speak Up” — a powerful call to action encouraging everyone, especially men and boys, to challenge sexist or harmful behaviour that can escalate into harassment, stalking, or abuse.

At the heart of the campaign is a focus on stalking awareness and spotting the signs. To support this, the Buckinghamshire Domestic Abuse Board held its annual conference on 17 November, themed ‘Recognising and Responding Effectively to Stalking’. Over 120 professionals attended, hearing from speakers including Clive Ruggles, father of Alice Ruggles, who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 2016.

The council is working closely with Thames Valley Police and local partners to share the ‘Think FOUR’ model, helping people to recognise stalking behaviours.

Think. Is the behaviour Fixated, Obsessed, Unwanted and Repeated? If the answer is “yes” and the unwanted behaviour has happened more than once, it is stalking and should be reported quickly before it escalates.

Demonstrating its commitment to ending men’s violence towards women and girls, the council is currently running free ‘Tackling and preventing Domestic Abuse’ training courses that are open to everyone. To find out more visit: bucksdap.org.uk

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic abuse, contact the Buckinghamshire Domestic Abuse Services Helpline on 01296 437777 (24/7).

For more information and resources, visit the Buckinghamshire Domestic Abuse Partnership website: bucksdap.org.uk 

 

 

Operation Grotto - Annual Winter burglary campaign

On the 28th October, Buckinghamshire TVP started their annual winter burglary campaign (Operation Grotto)❄️It will continue into the new year.

This is the response to the seasonal rise in burglaries during the winter months. Nightly patrols with multiple units will be taking place all over Bucks and will be focused on areas most impacted by burglary in order to prevent further offending.

While the main aim of the patrols is to detect and deter burglaries, officers will be keeping an eye out for any criminal activity or anti-social behaviour in hours of darkness. Your local neighbourhood teams will also be working with their communities around crime prevention to ensure everyone is making their homes as secure as possible this winter, while our investigative departments will be working intensively to progress burglary investigations👮

So far officers have:

Attended several burglaries in progress

Carried out reassurance patrols around neighbourhoods that have recently seen a burglary

Seized 3 vehicles and arrested one male in the Burnham area on suspicion of being linked to vehicle crime

Dealt with numerous driving offences such as drink driving, no insurance and driving dangerously.

We will be looking to update you all with more results in the coming months🚔

Please help TVP be robust on burglars and thieves this winter by continuing to report information via 101 or at Home | Thames Valley Police
(Call 999 if a crime is in progress or you are at risk of harm)

Steal this Christmas? Yule regret it.

As the Christmas shopping season begins, we are urging members of the public to think twice before engaging in shoplifting, warning that officers are working closely with retailers to crack down on retail crime.

In October 2025, we saw a 21% increase in charges for shoplifting offences compared to the same period in 2024. During the same timeframe out-of-court resolutions have increased by 10%.

We understand that the festive period can bring financial pressures, and with high-value items on display, the temptation to steal may rise… but don’t ignore the consequences. Shoplifting is a criminal offence, and those caught will be arrested.

Shoplifting affects local businesses and puts retail staff at risk. We’re working with retailers, using CCTV and increasing patrols to identify offenders quickly and effectively.

Let’s keep the season safe, fair, and festive for everyone.

 

 

Residents reminded of upcoming suspension for garden waste subscriptions
​
Buckinghamshire Council is reminding subscribers to its garden waste service that collections will soon be suspended for the usual 6-week winter period. This annual suspension takes place during the winter when garden waste is at a minimum.

Garden waste collections are suspended between Monday 15 December 2025 and Friday 23 January 2026, with the service resuming from Monday 26 January 2026 on usual collection days.

To find out which days our Household Recycling Centres are open and further details of what can and cannot be taken to a centre, visit: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/waste-and-recycling

Garden waste collected from homes across Buckinghamshire or taken to Household Recycling Centres is processed locally into high-quality compost. Residents can buy Community Compost at all Household Recycling Centres. Proceeds from the sales support good causes in Buckinghamshire.

Council confirms new Connect to Work programme to boost local employment
​

Buckinghamshire Council is launching a new ‘Connect to Work programme’ which will commence from April 2026. This transformative initiative is aimed at helping residents overcome barriers to employment and unlock meaningful job opportunities.

As part of this nationally funded scheme, Buckinghamshire Council has secured nearly £7m from Government to support up to 1,640 residents over the next four years, offering tailored assistance to those facing particular challenges getting into work.

Connect to Work is specifically designed to support residents who may have found it hard to find employment due to circumstances such as disability, long-term health conditions, homelessness, or caring responsibilities. Connect to Work links individuals with employers who can support their specific needs, allowing them to access work and build their career.

Connect to Work is a key part of Buckinghamshire’s wider Economic Growth Plan, which includes a significant focus on building skills, boosting productivity, and reducing inequality in Buckinghamshire, to improve access to work for individuals and to support the county’s economic growth as a whole. Connect to Work is one of a number of strands under the council’s ‘skills and employment’ drive which is underpinned by its recently adopted Skills and Employment Strategy.

Recent successes under this theme also include the council’s Skills Bootcamps – which offer free, practical short courses with guaranteed interviews with local employers. Of the most recent cohort, 98% of more than 400 participants completed training with 84% interviewing and 70% now progressing into work, upskilling, or moving into self-employment.


Future-proofing the health and wellbeing of Buckinghamshire residents

Supporting residents to live healthy and happy lives whatever their age or circumstance, both now and in the future, is the focus of the Director of Public Health’s Annual Report (DPHAR) ‘Tomorrow’s World – Health & Wellbeing in Buckinghamshire in 2045’ which was approved by Cabinet today (Tuesday 11 November).

The theme of this year’s report reflects Buckinghamshire’s changing population and the increases we are seeing in many health conditions in the county. It highlights the need for action that is targeted, preventative and partnership focused, to address the challenges and issues this will bring.

Data shows that over the next 20 years Buckinghamshire’s population will grow by 10.8%, more than the national figure of 9.2%. Local housing growth, as outlined in our draft Local Plan, will increase this figure further. The proportion of older people (age 65+) will increase the most (by 33%), meaning an additional 36,000 older people by 2044. In the same time period, the number of those aged 90+ will double, to 12,300. In comparison, the number of young people, (17 and under) will drop by 5.6%, meaning 7,000 fewer children in the local population.

Like many parts of the UK, the number of years that on average people will live in good health is projected to worsen and poor health continues to more negatively impact the lives of residents in some particular parts of our county.

These changes will bring a variety of challenges including increased demands on health and social care services and an increase in residents not in paid work due to ill health. To address these challenges and proactively shape a healthier future for all residents, the report makes a wide range of recommendations and acknowledges that responsibility for delivering them falls across a range of partners. Recognising that promoting good health and preventing illness is something that needs to be addressed at all stages of life, the report focuses on three key components – Start Well, Live Well and Age Well. Each stage comes with its own unique opportunities and challenges which are highlighted in the report with actions and aims set out according to life stage.

 

 

 

 

Be Bright, Be Seen: Stay safe as the darker days set in
​

Buckinghamshire Council is reminding residents to ‘Be Bright, Be Seen’ as the darker mornings and evenings return.

With reduced daylight and the likelihood of foggy or misty weather, visibility on the roads can be significantly affected. The council is urging everyone – whether walking, wheeling, cycling or driving – to take simple steps to help keep themselves and others stay safe.

Wearing bright, fluorescent clothing during the day and reflective materials at night can make a big difference. Fluorescent fabrics are effective in daylight and at dusk, while reflective materials are essential after dark to ensure visibility in car headlights. Adding reflective tape to bags, jackets or mobility aids is a quick and easy way to improve safety.

Cyclists are reminded to check that their bike lights are clean and working properly. It’s a legal requirement to have a white front light, a red rear light and a red rear reflector when cycling at night.

Drivers also play a vital role in keeping roads safe. Slowing down in poor visibility, being alert to pedestrians and cyclists, and ensuring vehicle lights are functioning correctly are all important ways to help prevent accidents.

More information, including the ‘Be Bright, Be Seen’ online game for children and young people, is available on the Think! website.

Residents of all ages can also take part in Glow-vember, a fun and rewarding campaign encouraging people to stay active and visible during the darker months. Find out more a at Glow-vember.

Council continues crackdown on misuse of disabled parking permits
​

Buckinghamshire Council has carried out another successful Blue Badge Day of Action, targeting misuse of disabled parking permits across the county.

This latest operation, held on 28 October, saw Parking Enforcement Officers working alongside the Blue Badge Team in Aylesbury, Beaconsfield, and Gerrards Cross. The teams inspected a total of 163 Blue Badges across the three locations.

As a result of the checks, three expired badges were seized. In each case, the badge holder had a valid replacement but had failed to remove the old one, potentially misleading enforcement officers. Five Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) were also issued during the day.

The council continues to encourage residents to report suspected misuse of Blue Badges. Reports can be made confidentially via the council’s website: Report the abuse of a Blue Badge