Bampton, Carterton and Burford Neighbourhood Action Group Area

A PCSO talks to a local resident on the street

The Bampton, Burford and Carterton Neighbourhood Action Group Area also includes the surrounding villages. In October 2009, more than 300 local residents were consulted to identify their three top priorities, which are:

Anti-social behaviour. The groups of young people in public places are of good nature but a few get themselves drunk and cause problems.
Lack of facilities for young people. Work is being done to reopen Bampton Youth Club and Carterton late night Café, and ensure adequate transport to Witney for young people locally.
Speeding is a concern in Bampton, Burford and Carterton areas. The issue is being addressed by Roads Policing using speeding detection equipment and community awareness days.

Further information about neighbourhood policing in this area can be found on the Who's My Bobby website.

The Neighbourhood Police Team can be contacted on:

Tel: 08458 505 505

Email: cartertonneighbourhood@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk

What's happening in my neighbourhood?

Each month the Neighbourhood Specialist Officer delivers a report on what has happened in the area.

June 2010

Anti-social Behaviour

This month has seen a drop in instances of anti-social behaviour around the Carterton neighbourhood. Marigold Square in Shilton Park has had a relatively quiet month with few incidents being bought to the team's attention. In addition the Country Park, while being very well used, has also seen very few reports of anti-social behaviour.

Patrols will continue around the area of Marigold square and the Country Park. Carterton town centre has also been relatively quiet, again with only a few calls to the neighbourhood team. The team is not getting complacent about the issues in and around Carterton and will continue to monitor and patrol accordingly.At this time additional resources are being put into Carterton to assist with anti-social behaviour, so we hope this type of behaviour will continue to remain at a low level.

In Bampton there have been a few more reports of anti-social behaviour, mainly centred around the Market Square. This has involved drivers of vehicles playing loud music, beeping horns and generally being a nuisance to local residents. The team has been taking details of these individuals and carrying out checks these incidents occur. Patrols will continue in an attempt to disrupt this type of behaviour. However, at this time, Bampton appears to be relatively quiet.

Burford, like Bampton, has similar problems, which tend to centre around the Guildenford Car Park where again the main issues are around vehicle drivers acting in an anti-social manner. The same types of checks are carried out in around the area as in the case of Bampton. However, Burford has been relatively quiet with high visibility patrols being carried out by the Neighbourhood team.

Speeding

This month has seen a number of speed checks carried out by the team. These have included Shilton Road, Brize Norton Road and Lew Road. At this time the speed checks are aimed at education, however, over the next couple of months the aim will be on enforcement.

The team works very closely with Roads Policing and, along with our colleagues, intend to carry out Speeding Operations on a regular basis. This will not just concentrate on speeding, but also on motorist who are not wearing seat belts and those using mobile phones whilst driving.

There were two accidents very close together recently where five cars were involved.It is too early to establish the cause of these accidents however it did require the use of the air ambulance. If ever we need a reminder of the dangers involved in driving, seeing the air ambulance taking off is a very sobering one.

Youth Facilities

The Youth Club in Bampton is now up and running. It is open on a Monday evening and the take-up is encouraging.It is good to see that the residents and Parish Council, after fighting long and hard, have finally had the youth centre re-opened. It is a testament to their hard work and it gives the young people of Bampton a good meeting place. It also means the neighbourhood team can engage with more young people and get to know them better.

The Allandale in Carterton is undergoing a refit, but should be completed soon. Outreach workers from base 33 in Witney will be working in Carterton shortly following training. This will be a welcome addition to the youth services and will provide greater cover for the youth of the town.

Other News

This month has seen the beginning of the local Parish Council's Annual General Meeting season. The team have attended the Carterton Annual Assembly, Brize Norton, Filkins, Shilton and Bampton AGMs. The neighbourhood team attend to update residents on what is happening in their area and to take questions from those who attend. The teams presentations seem to have been well received with thanks being received from the Chairman of the respective Parish Councils.

Shilton Park Residents in Carterton held their first residents' meeting with a view to forming a Residents' Association. The meeting went well and an association has now been set up. This meeting followed on from the Have Your Say meeting held at the Carterton Community Centre earlier in the year.

An individual was seen by one of the team carrying an air rifle around the town. The individual was going to shoot pigeons in the Market Square in Carterton. The response shift was called and the individual arrested for having a weapon in a public place.

A burglary took place at a local pre-school and following an investigation four individuals were arrested for this offence.They are currently on bail pending further enquiries. This was an excellent effort by patrol officers and the neighbourhood team.

An individual was also arrested for possession of a controlled substance.

The neighbourhood team assisted with the World Famous Bampton Shirt Race. The turn out for this event was excellent and it was very well run by the organisers. All the contestants and spectators seemed to have a good time. Despite the numbers present there was not a hint of trouble and everything was very good natured.

The neighbourhood team was also present at Party on the Pitch, which was held at Kilkenney Lane on the Carterton Football Club pitch. There was an excellent turn out and the event went off without any problems. Another excellent event and very well organised.

And finally...

With the onset of the warmer weather and longer days, could I take this opportunity to remind residents to lock doors and windows, even if you are only going out for a short time.

If you intend to spend time in the back garden then I suggest you lock your doors then as well. It only takes seconds for somebody to enter your property and remove your items. Neighbourhood Watch is an excellent scheme and if there is not one set up in your area, it may be well worth starting one up.

Information on Neighbourhood Watch can be obtained from West Oxfordshire District Council.