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.
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The February 2025 edition of OUR NEWS is here

Highlights from the February 2025 edition of Our News include:

* Guidance on spotting Romance fraud and scams

* SimpliSafe demonstrates the importance of Professional Monitoring when it comes to home security

* Phonely provides answers and information on how to prevent scam calls with their services

* We celebrate a decade of partnership with Patlock!



READ THE FEBRUARY EDITION HERE

 

 

Become a School Governor and Make a Difference!

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Are you passionate about education and eager to make a positive impact in your community? Becoming a school governor might be the perfect opportunity for you!

 

School governing boards are composed of diverse individuals who bring a wealth of skills and expertise from various walks of life. As a school governor, you will support the smooth running of a school and play a crucial role in the wider school community, acting as a critical friend to the headteacher and other senior leaders.

 

Governing bodies thrive on a variety of experiences and perspectives. This role offers a fantastic chance for personal and professional development, allowing you to enhance your project management, budgeting, leadership, and negotiation skills while making a real difference in your local community. No prior knowledge or qualifications are required—just a genuine interest in education, commitment, and time.

 

If you are interested in becoming a school governor, please visit the Buckinghamshire Council website for more information -

 

Come and experience ‘The Other Library’

 

Buckinghamshire Libraries are delighted to be hosting ‘The Other Library’ which is a combination of an interactive pop-up art installation, creative writing workshop, and live performance all rolled into one.

 

Residents will be able to explore the world and stories of artists with disabilities at High Wycombe, Chesham, Aylesbury and Buckingham libraries. The mission is to share hidden stories of disability within the county using physical and interactive books.

 

The Other Library installation can be experienced at the following libraries:

 

• High Wycombe Library from now until Tuesday 18 February
• Chesham Library from Tuesday 18 February to Tuesday 11 March
• Aylesbury Library from Tuesday 11 March to Tuesday 1 April
• Buckingham Library from Tuesday 1 April to Wednesday 23 April

 

 

The installation and stories were created by Freewheelers Theatre and Media Company, and they feature seventeen individual projects and three group projects, each presented in its own physical or digital book.

 

Each library will feature the bookshelf installation and host a creative workshop by author and screenwriter Sara Clifford, along with two performances by disabled artists from the Freewheelers Theatre and Media Company.

 

For more information and to book places at the free performances and workshops please visit here.

 

 

Safer Roads Information

 

I am Maria Jolliffe from the Safer Roads Department for Thames Valley Police.

 

We would like to share our Quarterly reports of road safety statistics with you all. The first one is for Quarter 3 July - Sept 2024.

 

We prioritise enforcement and education for drink and drug driving, the non wearing of seatbelts, excessive speed and driving whilst distracted.

 

We create reports on a quarterly basis to share with our policing teams and partner agencies.

 

We are sharing the reports with you as you have expressed via Thames Valley Alerts that you are interested or concerned with Road Safety and speeding.

 

Community Speedwatch is an educational scheme run by our local volunteers.

 

The figures for the Mobile Camera enforcement are from our dedicated Safer roads police staff and the Fixed penalty notices are from any Officer on patrol dealing with a motorist.

 

Please take a look at the attached report for the Buckinghamshire Council area and let us know what you think, we are always happy to receive feedback.

 

 

Confidential - not for publication on social media:

Predicted Pony & Trap event

 

I write in response to numerous public enquiries which have been prompted by a social media warning, broadcast by local parish councils and community groups.

 

I wish to reassure you that my officers and I are busily planning a robust policing response, regarding this matter. This work has been ongoing for a number of weeks, and includes specialist teams, partner agencies, and centrally-held police resources.

 

I appreciate the intent behind the Facebook alert, but I am equally conscious that these pony & trap groups operate a sophisticated digital network, which likely includes monitoring social media channels. Whilst our plans have always included means to warn the effected members of the community, so as to allow pre-emptive action, I would ask that the information on open-access social media is closely managed, to guard against the risk of compromising this work.

 

I recognise that the community perceives inaction on the part of the police, on this issue: elected Members of Parliament have been briefed on the intricacies of this matter, and the need for a longer-term, partnership solution. As the primary enforcement agency, the police very much hold a role within this work, and have developed a tiered response, which is tailored to the specific circumstances of any given incident: This can range across a variety of scenarios, from a sole rider exercising their horse, to a large-scale event with hundreds of attendees and evident dangers presented to road-users. It is easy to overlook the successes which police have achieved in this regard: as an example, I would offer the swathe of resulting prosecutions which were generated by a recent race, in mid-December. I do not suggest that the policing response has always been as would be preferred, but this alludes to the more complex discussion, of a sole agency response; subject to the varying demand of urgent calls for service, from the wider public. It is anticipated, with the advanced notice offered in this case, and collaborative planning between partner agencies, we are maximising our prospects to successfully manage what is predicted.

 

Recognising that a lack of information can readily prompt effected parties to presume inaction or disinterest, I can reassure you that this is certainly not the case, and would ask for the community to provide my team and I the time required to advance the work we have ahead of us. It is important that the community has confidence in the policing it receives, yet fielding multiple queries will currently only serve to distract from our continued efforts.

 

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Booking.com users targeted with scam messages

 

Those using the platform Booking.com to book their holidays or accommodation are being warned they could be targeted with emails or messages requesting payments from hotels who have had their account taken over by fraudsters. Between June 2023 and September 2024, Action Fraud received 532 reports from individuals, with a total of £370,000 lost.

 

Insight from Action Fraud reports suggests the individuals were defrauded after receiving unexpected messages and emails from a Booking.com account belonging to a hotel they had a reservation with, which had been taken over by a criminal. Using this account, the criminals send in-app messages, emails, and WhatsApp messages to customers, deceiving them into making payment and/or requesting credit card details.

 

The specific account takeovers are likely to be the result of a targeted phishing attack against the hotel or accommodation provider, and not Booking.com’s backend system or infrastructure.

 

How can you protect yourself?

 

Booking.com and Action Fraud are providing the following advice on how to spot signs of fraud and protect your Booking.com account:

 

• No legitimate Booking.com transaction will ever require a customer to provide their credit card details by phone, email, or text message (including WhatsApp).

• Sometimes a hotel provider will manage their own payment and may reach out to request payment information, like credit card details – before providing any information, always verify the authenticity of communication between yourself and the hotel’s account.

• If you receive any urgent payment requests that require immediate attention, like a booking cancellation, immediately reach out to the Booking.com Customer Service team via the details on the official Booking.com website and/or app to confirm.

• Any payment requests that do not match the information in the original booking confirmation should also be double checked and confirmed with Booking.com Customer Service before proceeding.

• Any messages purporting to be from Booking.com that contain instructions to follow links and/or open/download files should be treated with caution.

• If you have any doubts about a message, contact Booking.com directly. Don’t use the numbers or address in the suspicious message and use the details from their official website.

• For more information about how to protect your Booking.com account, please visit: Safety Tips for Travellers | Booking.com

 

If you receive any suspicious emails or text messages, report them by forwarding emails to: report@phishing.gov.uk, or texts to 7726.

 

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

 

If you’ve lost money or provided financial information as a result of any phishing scam, notify your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud at  https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report-phishing or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.

 

 

Could you foster?

 

Buckinghamshire residents are invited to come along to an in-person fostering information evening on Wednesday 22 January from 6:30pm to 8pm at The Gateway in Aylesbury. This event offers a unique opportunity to meet the friendly Foster with Bucks team and the incredible fostering community. Attendees can hear real-life stories and ask any questions in a relaxed and welcoming setting.

 

It’s a fantastic chance to learn more about the application process, what fostering involves, and the day-to-day life of being a foster carer.

 

Foster carers are everyday people and the Council welcomes applications from all community members, regardless of ethnicity, sexuality, gender identity, religion, relationship status, or family history. To foster, you need to have a spare room and be over 21 years old. There is no upper age limit to foster and our fostering community includes retirees and people from all walks of life who use their wealth of life experience to change a child's future daily.

 

With children needing a safe, secure, and loving home, fostering can be challenging but incredibly rewarding. No one comes to fostering ready-made, but when you join the Bucks community of foster carers, you’ll be supported every step of the way.

 

Buckinghamshire Council cares for and values their foster carers, helping them build the futures of children in Buckinghamshire and helping them to thrive. The Council offers:

 

• Competitive financial allowances (up to £29,000 per year per child cared for)
• 24/7 emergency support
• Experienced social workers
• Exceptional training, learning, and development programs
• Community support – buddy system, support groups, Mockingbird
• Mental health support – wellbeing program, CAMHS, therapeutic life story work

 

In recognition of the amazing work foster carers do, the Council also offers an exclusive perks and benefits package (worth up to £10,000, terms and conditions apply), including a 100% council tax refund, bigger bins, free parking, leisure experiences for the whole family, and much more.

 

For more information on becoming a foster carer, visit: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/fostering

 

 

 

 

Public Space Protection Orders Review

 

Buckinghamshire council are holding a consultation on safety in public spaces and would like input from Buckinghamshire residents.

If you would like to participate please use the following link:

Have your say

 

Any queries with regards to this message or the consultation please contact: anti-social-behaviour@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

 

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New Year, New Career

 

Buckinghamshire Council is encouraging residents to kickstart their careers in 2025 with free Skills Bootcamps. Whether you're looking for a job, aiming for a promotion, or considering a career change, these bootcamps offer a unique opportunity to land your dream job. Spaces are still available for courses starting later this month (January), February, and March.

 

The Skills Bootcamps are designed for adults aged 19 and over and cover a wide range of growth industries in Buckinghamshire, including TV & Film Production, Green Technology, Construction, and Automotive. These short courses, run by experienced training providers, offer 60 to 100 hours of free, flexible learning, allowing participants to study around their current work commitments. Additionally, the courses do not impact Universal Credit, and participants are guaranteed an interview upon completion.

 

For more information and to enrol, visit Skills Bootcamps