Victoria Road News and Views

[THAMES VALLEY COMMUNITY MESSAGING – Oxford – B_11/10/09]

A company from Swindon are leaflet dropping in the Oxfordshire area, posing as a local group. They follow up with a knock on the door and explain they have a number of builders from the Swindon area looking for work. (Beware they are from Swindon however they give an address in Oxford) The trader will then quote a cheap price for anything from small jobs to a house extension. We have had a number of complaints and an expert is of the opinion that some of the work is of poor quality.

If you are unsure then Trading Standards advice is not to deal with anyone who cold-calls and to get several quotes and references. Oxfordshire County Council Trading Standards also have an approved list of traders in Oxfordshire. A list of traders can be obtained from Trading Standards calling 0845 051 0845 option 1 or 2 or looking at the website WWW.buywithconfidence.gov.uk

However if anybody leaflet drops and inform you they are from Swindon area and match the above scenario please contact Martin Woodley Doorstep Crime Team Leader on 01865 815331.

[THAMES VALLEY COMMUNITY MESSAGING – Oxford – B_04/10/09]

The practice of stealing petrol from cars, by drilling a hole in the tank and draining off the fuel, has unfortunately returned to Oxford City.  The offences are ocurring after dusk.
If practicable please try to park your vehicle in a well lit location and ideally in a garage or on the drive of your home.
Thank you for your time.

[THAMES VALLEY COMMUNITY MESSAGING – Oxford – B_05/10/09]

During the last two weeks there has been a series of motor vehicle thefts in Oxford City. The offender has used a flatbed or low loader truck to remove the vehicle from the scene.
If you see a low loader style truck, without any business markings, winching a car onto its back, please take a note of the vehicle registration number and notify the police by dialling 999.
Alternatively you can phone the Neighbourhood Watch office on Oxford 335133.
Thank you for your time.

Watch Members are being warned of a recent telephone scam, where callers pose as BT representatives. People have been targeted by the unscrupulous callers, who ask for a payment to be immediately made to clear arrears on their telephone account. People are told that if they don’t pay straight away, they will be cut off, and the caller is then asked for their bank or credit card details. Sometimes, the scammer terminates the call mid-way to demonstrate that they are able to cut off the phone line.Anyone receiving similar calls is reminded not to divulge their banking details, and to report the call to Trading Standards on 0845 4 04 05 06

Source: [THAMES VALLEY COMMUNITY MESSAGING – Oxford – B_01/10/09]