This page is relevant to all villages.

 

 

Say ‘no no no’ to buying an e-scooter this Christmas

 

The festive season is almost here, and we know many people will be considering asking for, gifting or purchasing an e-scooter. We want to ensure that anyone doing so is aware of the law and dangers surrounding e-scooters.

 

E-scooters are classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 1988. This means the rules that apply to motor vehicles, also apply to e-scooters including the need to have a licence and insurance.

 

It's not currently possible to get insurance for privately owned e-scooters. Meaning if you use a one in public, you risk it being seized. You can ride them on private land, such as in a garden, but only if you have the permission of the landowner to do so.

 

Where a rental trial scheme is running, rental e-scooters can be used on public roads, some cycle lanes, and other public spaces. When riding a rental e-scooter you must follow road traffic laws. If you don’t, you could face prosecution.

 

Inspector Mike Darrah said “Many people may not understand the laws surrounding privately owned e-scooters, which prohibit you from using them in public areas.

 

“There is also a risk of severe injury, and incidents which involve a collision with an e-scooter are investigated in the same way as if riding or driving any other type of motor vehicle.

 

“We are already working in partnership with schools and colleges to ensure students are aware of the laws surrounding e-scooters, and I am urging parents to consider the risks if they are looking at gifting an e-scooter.”

 

In November 2024, Thames Valley Police seized 80 e-scooters and e-bikes, with 33 of these seizures being e-scooters. Last night (3/12), 10 e-bikes and e-scooters were seized in an operation carried out in Oxford. 

 

Matthew Barber, Police & Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, said: "Whilst for many, e-scooters are a convenient way to get around, it is nevertheless illegal to use a privately owned e-scooters anywhere on public land.

 

"Aside from the risk of injuring and concerns about the fire risks from some batteries, you risk having your e-scooter seized by the police.

 

"So, my message this Christmas is simple: don't by an e-scooter as a present."

 

Neighbourhood priorities survey

Please see the link to a very short survey surrounding priorities for the Neighbourhood policing team in the new year ➡ Thames Valley Police Buckinghamshire LCU Neighbourhood Priorities Jan to March 2025

 

This survey is to assist your local neighbourhood policing team in understanding what crime is currently of most concern in the community.

 

Please note, this is different to the “safer Buckinghamshire” survey that was recently sent out.

 

Social media summary

Read it here

 

 

The December 2024 edition of OUR NEWS is here

 

Before you read our newsletter, here are a few notes to remember...

 

* The Central Support Team office will be closed from Monday 23rd December - Thursday 2nd January, and so you might not receive an immediate reply to your phone call or email. However, you will still be able access our website and all of our crime prevention and safety resources over this period.

 

* Thank you to everyone who attended our webinars in November - we were joined by the London Borough of Newham, Resolve ASB & the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, who all provided opportunities for meaningful discussion & knowledge sharing. You can view recordings from the session on this page of our website. If you attended one of these sessions, your feedback would be hugely appreciated! Please click here to complete this anonymous feedback form.

 

* We will soon be launching our 2024 Cybercrime survey - please keep your eyes peeled for this! You will receive a link to complete the survey via an Alert message, and we will also share the survey link via our social media channels.

 

Read here.

 

Take part in our Cybercrime Survey!

 

Along with our Cyberhood Watch partner, Avast, we are launching the latest Cybercrime Survey which will help us understand the impact of online crime and scams on our members. There's also the opportunity of winning some very useful M&S vouchers!

 

Enter now

 

The findings of the survey will be used to inform the ongoing Cyberhood Watch awareness initiatives and help our Cyberhood Watch Ambassadors. It will also draw attention to important topics which will help everyone protect themselves - and their loved ones - from cyber criminals.

 

The survey will close on Friday 15 December - we'd really love to hear your views and of course, we will load the report onto our website once it is available so you can take a look for yourself!

 

Thanks in advance for your support in the fight against cybercrime in the UK.

 

 

Park for free this Christmas

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To make your Christmas shopping experience more convenient and affordable this year, Buckinghamshire Council is offering free parking in selected council-owned car parks on certain dates in the run up to the festive season.

 

The free council run car parking days are:

 

• South Bucks (all council-owned car parks): Saturday 14 and Saturday 21 December
• Aylesbury (all council-owned car parks): Every Thursday in December from 3:30pm
• Aylesbury (Walton Street Car Park only): Every Sunday in December up to Christmas

 

Other select free parking is available across the county on days in the run up to Christmas. These arrangements have been made at a local level in partnership with town and parish councils:

 

• Amersham - Old Town, Sycamore Road, Chiltern Avenue and multi storey - Friday 6 December and all Saturdays leading up to Christmas
• Beaconsfield - Warwick Road, Altons & Penncroft – 14 and 21 December
• Buckingham - Cornwalls Meadow & Westerns Avenue - 14 December
• Chalfont St Giles - Blizzards Yard – All Saturdays leading up to Christmas
• Chalfont St Peter - Church Lane – Friday 6 December, all Saturdays leading up to Christmas
• Chesham - Saturday 7, 14, 21 and 28 December, plus Christmas Eve at Albany Place and Watermeadow
• Great Missenden - Link Road & Buryfield – All Saturdays leading up to Christmas
• High Wycombe - Saturday 7 December and Friday 13 December at all council car parks with the exception of Handy Cross and Kingsmead (Desborough Square I Desborough Street Duke Street I Railway Place I Totteridge Road Wycombe Swan I George Street Wycombe Council Offices Front and RearEaston Street I Richardson Street)
• Little Chalfont - Snells Wood - 7, 14, 15, 21 and 22 December
• Marlow – Institute Road, Dean Street, Riley Road, Marlow Central, Liston Road, Pound Lane, West Street – 7, 14 and 21 December
• Prestwood High Street - All Saturdays leading up to Christmas
• Princes Risborough - The Mount & Horns Lane – Saturday 30 November, Saturday 14 and 21 December
• Wendover Library – Friday 13 December 6pm to 8pm
• Wooburn and Bourne End - Wakeman Road -Friday 6 and Saturday 7 December

 

To find the most up to date information on free parking this festive season visit here

 

 

 

 

Black Friday and Cyber Monday fraud prevention advice

 

The public are urged to protect themselves online as figures reveal rising losses to fraud.

 

Thames Valley Police, UK’s cyber security and law enforcement bodies warn bargain hunters about cyber-criminal scams and support turning on Setting up 2-Step Verification (2SV)  to protect online accounts.

 

• Heads of UK’s cyber and law enforcement agencies issue warning ahead of peak online shopping season
• Shoppers lost over £11 million to cyber criminals during last year’s festive shopping period, with clothing, high-end tech products and cars among the most common products cited
• Figures released as NCSC launches national campaign to encourage people to turn on 2-step verification (2SV) to help protect their online accounts

 

THE UK’S CYBER SECURITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT CHIEFS have today issued an urgent alert to Black Friday bargain hunters after new figures revealed rising losses to online scammers during the festive shopping season.

 

Clothing, high-end tech products and even cars were among the products featuring in scams as GCHQ’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and Action Fraud revealed that Brits reported losing over £11.5 million to online criminals between November 2023 and January 2024 – with each victim losing £695 on average.

 

This compares to reported losses amounting to £10.6 million the previous year.

 

The new figures are published on the same day as the NCSC launches a nationwide campaign, as part of Stop! Think Fraud, to encourage people to set-up 2-step verification on their most important accounts.

 

The latest figures, which come from reports made to Action Fraud and analysed by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB), revealed that 7,168 reports (43%) mentioned a social media platform, with online marketplaces being mentioned in 18.9% of reports.

 

The figures also revealed that those aged 30-39 submitted the largest number of reports (23%), closely followed by 40–49-year-olds (20%). The average age of victims was 42.

 

Fraud criminals will present as being able to offer large savings which at first glance will seem tempting, but in the reality the deal simply does not exist and they are after taking your money.

 

The anonymity of the internet allows anyone to be who they want to be online but remember:

 

• Research sellers, check they're legitimate
• Use a credit card or secure payment platform
• Only provide enough details to complete your purchase

 

Find out more

 

To stay protected, follow our online shopping guidance, including Setting up 2-Step Verification (2SV) and creating memorable but secure passwords using three random words

 

If you’ve lost money or provided your financial information to someone, notify your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.

 

For more information on how to protect yourself, search for “Stop! Think Fraud”.

 

Your views on local policing budget

 

We think it is really important that you, as residents, help shape important decisions about police funding and how we can continue to work to keep our communities safe.

 

The allocation of central government funding for police forces is expected to be received in December. You can share your views on which subjects you would like the policing element of council tax to be focused in the 2025/26 budget by completing Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber’s ongoing local crime survey.

 

If you would like to share your views on the policing budget for 2025/26, please complete the survey by 12pm on Friday 3rd January 2025.

 

Safer Bucks Survey

 

Just a few days left to share your views in this year’s Safer Buckinghamshire Survey!

 

The Safer Buckinghamshire Partnership brings together experts from the council, police, fire service, probation and health services. The Partnership is responsible for developing an annual action plan to reduce crime and Anti-Social behaviour in Buckinghamshire, and to help keep it a safe place to live and work.​

 

To help develop this plan, we want to hear your views! Please complete our short survey

 

The survey is for anyone who lives, works, or studies in Buckinghamshire and will be open until 29 November 2024. The results of the survey will be combined with an analysis of all crimes that happen in the county, to help the Safer Buckinghamshire Partnership deliver the priorities for the next twelve months.

 

Social media Summary

 

Crash for cash" insurance fraud

 

Crash for cash’ is a form of insurance fraud in which drivers and moped riders stage road traffic collisions to gain compensation. These collisions put motorists at risk and contribute to increased insurance premiums.

 

Crash for cash’ is a form of insurance fraud in which drivers and moped riders stage road traffic collisions to gain compensation.

 

These collisions put motorists at risk and contribute to increased insurance premiums.

 

Find out what this looks like in this video (link): Notice anything suspicious about this crash?

 

There has been a rise in ‘crash for cash’ fraud involving mopeds in the UK. Over 4,000 people were targeted from June 2021 to July 2024, leading to fraudulent insurance claims worth an estimated total of £70 million.

 

Organised criminal gangs are often behind these incidents and will make fake or exaggerated insurance claims for storage and replacement moped costs. In some cases, fraudsters will cause a crash and try to intimidate victims into handing over money at the scene.

 

What to look out for

 

• Beware of single parked vans near junctions. ‘Crash for cash’ moped riders often use them as hiding spots.
• Be wary of moped riders loitering or acting suspiciously in residential areas. Often, they will hang around in small roads off busy high streets before staging a collision.
• ‘Crash for cash’ fraudsters overreact and fake injuries after crashes.
• Moped riders will often keep their helmets on after a collision to avoid identification.

 

How to protect yourself against ‘crash for cash’ fraud

 

• Be cautious when on the road and give all drivers adequate distance in front and behind.
• Fitting a dashcam to the front and rear of your vehicle can help deter offenders. If you become victim to, or witness, a ‘crash for cash’ incident, dashcam footage may help prove that an insurance claim is fraudulent. It could also help the police prosecute offenders.
• If you see a suspicious crash, offer to be a witness to the driver. Gather as much information as possible. This could be the make and model of the moped, its number plate or the clothing the moped rider is wearing.
• ‘Crash for cash’ moped riders may try to pressure you into presenting your driving licence and insurance certificate after a collision, which they will photograph on their mobile phone. In some instances, the information on these documents has been used to fraudulently take out insurance policies. Protect your ID from being compromised by only providing the other driver with the insurance information that is legally required.

 

If you are involved in, or witness, a collision and suspect it is a ‘crash for cash’ incident, report it to the police via the Insurance Fraud Bureau’s confidential CheatLine on 0800 422 0421 or here. Always call 999 in an emergency. 

 

 

 

 

Preventing doorstep delivery thefts

If you’re not going to be home when your parcels are delivered organise an alternative – this could be a ‘safe place’, leaving the parcel with a neighbour or re-arranging your delivery to when you are in.

Also consider what empty boxes you leave outside, this advertises what you have outside.

Visit - Preventing stolen doorstep deliveries

 

 

Keeping Buckinghamshire roads safe this winter

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With temperatures due to be colder in the coming days, the council expects its winter action plan to swing into force including gritting for the first time this winter. Current forecasts suggest a colder spell of weather is due next week, with road temperatures currently looking likely to freeze.

 

If gritting is required, the gritters will be salting key roads across the county in accordance with the agreed priority routes as outlined on our website, to make them safer for motorists and to keep key transport routes running.

 

The council also provides salt bins for people to use to during cold and icy weather. The bins contain a mixture of salt and sand and are located in targeted areas known to be affected by icy conditions which the gritting routes don’t cover.

 

Salt bins are provided for residents to use on public roads and footways only and should not be used to clear private drives.

 

Residents can request a salt bin for their local area and all requests will be considered. If the request is granted, the council will pay for the installation of a salt bin and will refill as needed throughout the winter while stocks allow. Where a request is not granted, communities have the option to pay for a bin to be installed and for the ongoing delivery of salt stocks.

 

Visit the council's website to request a salt bin.

 

You can check which routes are gritted on the council’s website. And for updates when gritting is taking place, follow @buckshighways on Facebook or @bucks_highways on X.

 

Winter weather hits Buckinghamshire

 

While this morning’s snow across Buckinghamshire has surprised some forecasters, Buckinghamshire Council is well prepared for wintery weather and its action plan has swung into force.

 

The council’s fleet of gritters has been on test runs in recent weeks and we have been closely monitoring road temperatures through this morning’s snowfall, with the fleet on standby throughout today. The road temperature remained above freezing last night, this morning and into today, but the current forecast for the rest of today (Tuesday) indicates cold and wet conditions followed by a rapid drop in temperatures during this evening. We are gritting the network this afternoon with the potential for a further gritting run during this evening. It’s likely that the wet roads, melting snow and slush from today will freeze overnight and drivers should take extra care when venturing out from this evening. Drivers are also reminded to make sure windscreens, vehicle lights and number plates are free of any snow.

 

The routes we grit is determined by our winter plan, which is on the council’s website. The council has also activated its so-called SWEP (Severe Weather Emergency Protocol) plan, whereby shelter is provided for rough sleepers in the cold conditions; if you find yourself sleeping rough or see anyone sleeping outdoors on the streets of Buckinghamshire, please contact Streetlink via their website or call 0300 500 0914.

 

Warm and welcoming space is available in the Buckinghamshire Council Walton Street office in Aylesbury and the council office at Queen Victoria Road, High Wycombe, as well as any of the council’s libraries.

 

Nearly all schools have remained open today; parents and carers are advised to check their schools usual communication channels as schools provide updates and closure information directly to their school communities. The council also publishes the list of closed schools on our website. 

 

New Family Hub Network set to provide more help and advice for local residents

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Families will soon benefit from easy to access help and advice in their local communities, with the launch this week of Buckinghamshire’s Family Hub Network (FHN). The FHN brings together professionals and community groups to help families and residents get the help and advice they need at the earliest opportunity.

 

The FHN covers Aylesbury Vale, Chiltern & South Bucks and Wycombe areas, involving a wide variety of local and county-wide organisations including Buckinghamshire Council, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Oxford Health Foundation NHS Trust, education providers, social enterprises and voluntary, community and faith groups.

 

The role of the network is to support families visiting network sites where possible or signpost to a relevant organisation when other support is needed. The aim is to direct families to the support that best meets their individual circumstances, using local network connections and knowledge to match needs with the wide range of services and providers available in the area.

 

Earlier this week, the Hithercroft Family Centre in High Wycombe hosted the official launch of the Family Hub Network, with local families invited to attend a Play and Explore session and find out more about how the network is designed to work.

 

Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Education, Councillor Anita Cranmer and local ward members were joined by a range of partner agencies including Kooth, One Can Trust, Family Learning and Disraeli School as well as representatives from the Early Help Partnership Board, including Thames Valley Police and FACT Bucks.

 

More information on the Family Hub Network can be here.

 

A range of information on matters relating to families and children can be found on the Buckinghamshire Family Information website

 

 

OPERATION GROTTO

We have seen an increase of burglaries, over this last weekend, especially in the areas of Chesham, High Wycombe, The Chalfonts and Beaconsfield. Our officers are continuing to do visible patrols in these areas every evening, so please remember to call us if you see anything suspicious or stop our officers for a chat. However to help prevent your property being targeted, remember these following tips:

- Leave a light on

- Close your curtains or blinds

- Don't leave any ladders out 

- Make sure all your gates, doors and windows are locked

Crime Prevention

Follow @ThamesVP ‘3 Step Protect’ advice to help keep your home 🏡 safe from burglary & damage: 

✅ Protect your valuables 

✅ Safeguard your building 

✅ Secure your outside 


Protecting your home from crime | Crime prevention | Thames Valley Police

Social Media Summary

PDF here.

 

 

Council reminds garden waste upcoming service suspension

Buckinghamshire Council is reminding subscribers to its garden waste service that collections will soon be suspended for a 6-week period. This is an annual suspension that comes in during the winter when garden waste is at a minimal.

 

The last possible collection date for garden waste is Friday 13 December (normal collection days apply) and collections will resume from week commencing Monday 27 January.

 

Residents who need to dispose of garden waste during the suspension period can still do so at any of our 10 Household Recycling Centres free of charge. All sites are open 9am to 4pm.

 

To find out which days your local Household Recycling Centre is open and further details of what can and cannot be taken to a centre, visit here.

 

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 of our Household Recycling Centres. All the proceeds from the sales of the Community Compost are set aside for good causes with an annual funding award expected in April 2025.”

 

For more information on changes to recycling and waste services over the Christmas period, please visit our website

 

Community Safety Survey

 

The Safer Buckinghamshire Partnership brings together experts from the council, police, fire service, probation and health services. The Partnership is responsible for developing an annual action plan to reduce crime and Anti-Social behaviour in Buckinghamshire, and to help keep it a safe place to live and work.​

 

To help develop this plan, we want to hear your views! Please complete our short survey

 

The survey is for anyone who lives, works, or studies in Buckinghamshire and will be open until 29 November 2024. The results of the survey will be combined with an analysis of all crimes that happen in the county, to help the Safer Buckinghamshire Partnership deliver the priorities for the next twelve months.

 

 

Council launches extra support to help adults stay independent for longer

 

Buckinghamshire Council is launching a range of new online resources designed to help adults who need some extra support to maintain their independence for as long as possible.

 

The council supports more than 5,000 adults at any one time, with varying degrees of extra help, including providing care packages to those who need it. Our overarching aim is to provide the right care to allow people to maintain their independence for as long as possible, and for our residents to feel that they are managing and directing their own care needs.

 

The improved website content makes it easier for people to get online information and advice about their adult social care needs. We have also listened to and worked with carers to introduce new online support for them too. 

 

The new-look Care Advice Bucks website includes content that outlines how a resident goes through the care assessment process, how individuals can arrange and pay for their care and guidance on what home support and equipment is available, as well as some helpful health and wellbeing advice.

 

Alongside this, the council has also improved the online resources available to carers in Buckinghamshire too, joining up for the first time with ‘Mobilise’, providers of specialist online support for people who are caring for others including family, friends or neighbours who could not manage without this unpaid support because of a disability, illness or vulnerability.  ‘Mobilise’ offers Buckinghamshire carers free access to online information and resources, support sessions, one to one support from a dedicated carers coach and access to a network of other carers to provide invaluable support and a listening ear.

 

We are also offering free fact sheets that have been co-designed with residents, and an online care directory that helps our residents to find professional health and care services, equipment and resources, such as:

 

• home care services  
• housing and residential equipment  
• living aids   

 

Bucks Council launches All-Age Carers Strategy Consultation

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Buckinghamshire Council has been working with unpaid carers and professionals to understand about their caring experiences and what matters most to carers. This feedback has been used to help shape Buckinghamshire’s new ‘All-Age Carers Strategy’.

 

The new strategy sets out how the council can continue to develop and deliver meaningful support to unpaid carers, to enable carers to maintain a positive quality of life alongside their caring role.

 

The council has been working closely with a range of carers across all age groups to develop the priorities identified in the strategy and ensure their views are reflected. This has included the strategy forward being written by a young adult carer.

 

They now want to hear from unpaid carers, professionals and residents to ensure the identified priorities are the right ones and understand if there is anything else they should be focusing on in the strategy. Your views will help them understand how they can further improve their offer to carers and ensure carers have the support they need to carry out a caring role. Whether you are a young carer, an adult carer, or an elderly carer, your input is crucial in shaping the future of carer support services in Buckinghamshire.

 

Key partners including Carers Bucks, Healthwatch Bucks, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Buckinghamshire Health Trust, NHS Primary Care Network, FACT Bucks parent carer forum, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire & Berkshire West Integrated Care Board as well as wider council colleagues have contributed to the strategy development, adopting a whole-system approach.

 

The consultation, including the printable survey and address for posting it, is available here.

 

The consultation is live and will close at 11:59pm on 15 December 2024.

 

After the consultation period, all feedback will be carefully reviewed and integrated into the final Buckinghamshire Council All-Age Carers Strategy. Once adopted, the strategy will include an action plan to implement and drive forward improvements for carers.