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Oxford Community Information Weekly Newsletter 31-3-24 (searches from social media, the internet and emails) collated and edited by Maggie Lewis Area Representative and Administrator for Oxford Neighbourhood Watch Cyberhood Watch Ambassador for Oxford Vice Chair for Thames Valley Neighbourhood Watch Association
This weekly newsletter contains information to share with others and information is available in the public domain unless specified.
NWN Website (to set up a scheme or become a member) https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/joinNW Social Media (supporters) Admin and Daily updates: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1937740226361938 https://www.facebook.com/groups/605172170528080 https://nextdoor.co.uk/g/mypyjh23w/ Thames Valley Appeals/Missing People Admin and Daily updates: https://www.facebook.com/groups/851711156124037 https://www.facebook.com/groups/224045570302348
Please read the contents list and I hope that you find one or more articles interesting. CONTENTS OXFORD NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH 1) Tip 2) TVP VAWG Partnership Briefing POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER (THAMES VALLEY) 1) PCC survey THAMES VALLEY POLICE 1) Race Action Plan 2023-6 TVP OXFORD 1) Littlemore murder 2) Central Oxford 3) Shotover Country Park 4) Sexual assaults in Oxford 5) Oxford Academy School CRIME PREVENTION 1) Sheds and Garages 2) Get precautions against 9 examples of smishing CRIME INFORMATION 1) Off-road bikes 2) Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan SCAMS 1) Insurance fraud 2) EE scam texts 3) Trading Standards 4) No Blame, No Shame 5) Scammers imitating bank websites OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL 1) Consultations 2) Waste and recycling evening hours 3) Road resurfacing OXFORD CITY COUNCIL 1) Recycling 2) Minimising food waste 3) Easter recycling and waste collection days 4) Consultations 5) Council Tax 6) Online application system for general housing register 7) Road closures GENERAL INFORMATION 1) Motoring webinars 2) Healthwatch 3) GP care reviews 4) Temporary clothing banks 5) Rail Strikes 6) Oxfordshire Connect 7) Changes to Botley Road Flyer for the Easter weekend 8) Food Recalls 9) Product Recalls 10) Population statistics 11) Our Future Health 12) Safety for children playing online games 13) Fake news 14) April Calendar  I hope that you put your clocks forward - an hour less sleep but a reminder that spring is on the way. OXFORD NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH 1) Tip Please keep a list of emergency numbers that is separate from your phone in case it's lost or stolen. 2) TVP VAWG Partnership Briefing  Attended - 340 attendees across Thames Valley. VAWG - Violence against Women and Girls Project Vigilant White Ribbon https://www.whiteribbon.org.uk/ PCC 1) PCC survey Over 3,500 residents responded to the ongoing local crime survey (6 April 2023 to 6 January 2024). Participants were asked ‘If council tax increases, which areas would you most like to see your contribution used for?’ Results can be seen on https://www.thamesvalley-pcc.gov.uk/news/pcc-continues-commitment-to-increasing-police-officer-numbers/ THAMES VALLEY POLICE 1) Race Action Plan 2023-6 TVP OXFORD 1) Littlemore murder Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Unit has made a further arrest in connection with a murder investigation in Oxford. A 36-year-old man from Birmingham was arrested on 27/3 on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and assisting an offender. He is currently in police custody. The arrest relates to the murder of Tobias Bruce, aged 32, from Oxford, who died following an incident in College Lane, Littlemore, on 25 February. Update A 41-year-old man from Headington has been arrested on suspicion of two counts of attempted murder. A 30-year-old man from Botley has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of a specific controlled drug above the specified limit. A 57-year-old woman from Headington has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. They have since been released on conditional bail. A 33-year-old man, previously arrested on suspicion of attempted murder has been released with no further action. 2) Central Oxford Thames Valley Police is releasing two images of a man officers wish to speak to as they believe he may have vital information about a public order incident in Oxford. Between 8.15pm and 8.30pm on 9 February, a teenage girl was followed by a man unknown to her from Bonn Square to Gloucester Green. He called after her multiple times, causing her to feel distressed. Investigating officer PC Charis Dant said: “I am appealing to anybody who recognises this man to please get in touch with us as we believe he may have vital information about this incident. “If you are the man pictured, please come forward as soon as possible. “To contact us, call 101 or make a report on our website, quoting reference number 43240064449. “Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or via its website.” 
3) Shotover Country Park Following the sad death of a 28-year-old woman (reported in last week's newsletter) there is an update from the police: The death is now being treated as non-suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner. The next of kin have been updated. 4) Sexual assaults in Oxford Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man has been charged in connection with multiple sexual assaults in Oxford. Rio Bunce, aged 20, of Thames Street, Oxford, was charged with four counts of sexual assault and one count each of sexual assault by penetration and exposure on 25/3. The charges relate to five sexual assaults on five separate women in Becket Street, Speedwell Street, Mill Street and Oxpens Road on Thursday 21/3. Bunce was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on 26/3. 5) Oxford Academy School Thames Valley Police is issuing CCTV images of two women they would like to speak to following an assault in Oxford. Between 8.30am and 9am on 29 February, two women have entered the grounds of Oxford Academy School and assaulted the victim, a 12-year-old girl, with knuckle dusters. The victim suffered bruising to her eye which required hospital treatment. They have since been discharged from hospital. Investigating officer PC Sam Adams, based at Cowley police station, said: “We would like to appeal to anyone who recognises the women in these images to please get in touch as they may have vital information about the assault. “You can get in touch by either making a report online or by calling us on 101, quoting reference number 43240095388. “Alternatively, for 100% anonymity, you can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.” 
Update - a 37-year-old woman from Oxford has been arrested on suspicion of conspiring to commit GBH. She has been released on conditional bail. CRIME PREVENTION 1) Sheds and Garages Unfortunately, sheds are often targeted by thieves, as they are considered an easy target and they usually contain valuable items that can be easily sold, such as bikes, mowers, power tools, garden tools, and sporting equipment like golf clubs. Research has shown that the average contents of a shed are valued between £1,500 and £5,000, making sheds an easy target for thieves if they are not secured properly. Therefore, it's important to secure your sheds and not allow criminals to steal valuable items. Remember to prioritise crime prevention and home security by improving your shed's security. https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/protect-home-crime/secure-shed-garage/ Sheds and Garages Many people don’t secure their shed or garage in the same way they do their homes - often using an easy-to-break lock or padlock to protect valuable contents such as a car, bike or lawnmower. An opportunistic burglar will try a shed or garage first because they can find the tools they need to break into the main house. Tips to keeping your property safe:
For more security advice visit: https://orlo.uk/SRSPn 2) Get precautions against 9 examples of smishing https://keepnetlabs.com/blog/get-precautions-against-9-examples-of-smishing CRIME INFORMATION 1) Off-road bikes Off-road bikes are specifically designed for offroad use only, they can be used on private land with the landowners' permission. Have you spotted off-road bikes being ridden illegally on roads, in parks, on pavements and/or in other public spaces? If so, you can tell Crimestoppers what you know and stay 100% anonymous. Always. Call 0800 555 111 or click to find out more, including information we can take about off-road bikes: https://bit.ly/3UXhErc  2) Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan (policy paper) SCAMS 1) Insurance fraud 4 Common Scams to Look Out For:
Tips to Avoid Being Scammed:
How To Report Insurance Fraud: 2) EE scam texts 
We have seen at least 10 different versions of a text scam that tell you there are points in your account or you have a prize to claim, all with a link to a scam website.
3) Trading Standards Trading Standards are reporting a mix of old and new scams to be aware of this week. “Inheritance” letter scam If you contact the sender, they will undoubtedly request that you send money to release the funds. You will NEVER need to send money to release money – they can take any payments from your inheritance if it is genuine. TV Licensing scam Condensation scam DON’T engage with any call that purports to relate to this kind or trade – they will be SCAMS. Health service agency scam When the phone number was checked on Who called me? https://who-called.co.uk/ the feedback overwhelmingly indicates that the callers are scammers – DO NOT engage with these callers. O2 scams DO NOT engage with these callers – this will be a phishing exercise to obtain personal information Amazon scams Amazon will NEVER contact you about a purchase. If you are at all concerned log into your Amazon account and check the activity that way Beware of online adverts Scammers are using AI to created deep fakes of various celebrities endorsing different schemes or products. These will be SCAMS. 4) No Blame, No Shame Victims’ shame, combined with the worry that they will not be supported if they come forward prevents so many reporting scams. Talking about fraud, scams and financial abuse will reduce the stigma, helping victims to feel able to report. 
5) Scammers imitating bank websites In 2023 there were more than 2,000 reports of fake websites that appear to imitate UK banks. These copycat websites play a crucial role in impersonation scams. Fraudsters use details, such as account numbers, collected from unsuspecting bank customers to later con those same people into sending them money, often by posing as bank staff. Although banks attempt to get lookalike websites taken down, the number being registered, and the occasional inadequate response from domain websites, means they're up long enough to find victims. However, the volume of domains being sold has dropped significantly since that time, and it’s arguable that greater checks could be put in place today. OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL 1) Consultations
https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/oxfordshire-bus-improvement-plan-2024
https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/oxford_botleyroadrail_highway2024 2) Waste and recycling evening hours Unfortunately, we will no longer be able to offer Thursday late-night opening at Oxfordshire’s household waste and recycling centres. However, all seven sites will remain open from 8am - 5pm seven days a week, 362 days a year, to meet your waste and recycling needs. 3) Road resurfacing £7 million road resurfacing programme to begin in April. Nearly 100 roads across Oxfordshire will be improved as part of a £7 million highway maintenance programme beginning this spring. Bill Cotton, Oxfordshire County Council’s Corporate Director for Environment and Place said “Surface dressing is one of the most cost-effective methods of roads maintenance and spring is the best time to start this programme of work. We would urge motorists to watch out for notifications of the work taking place and to drive carefully after it has been carried out.” Driving too fast on a recently treated road can result in broken windscreens or chipped paintwork, as the friction from the tyres can dislodge loose chips. There is also an increased risk of skidding while the new chippings ‘bed in’. For these reasons, an advisory speed limit of 20mph will be put in place. It is important to adhere to these low speeds until all warning signs have been removed. Surface dressing involves applying bituminous emulsion on to the road as a binder. This is followed immediately by the application of chippings to dress the emulsion layer. The method offers many advantages, including:
The work is highly weather dependent and cannot be completed in wet conditions. Therefore, the earlier in the year it can be started, the more likely it can be completed with minimal disruptions. Updated details about the programme, including a map showing where and when the work will be taking place, can be found on Oxfordshire County Council’s website OXFORD CITY COUNCIL 1) Recycling
 Recycle your batteries, small electrical items with our weekly kerbside collection service. Simply place your used batteries and small electrical items in separate clear bags, loosely tied, on top of any bin lid on your collection day! https://www.oxford.gov.uk/goes-bin/recycling-electricals
Recycle and reuse your old textiles locally Donate textiles to charity shops: Most charity shops are happy to take textiles such as clothing, bedding, and curtains in good, clean condition. Sell on second-hand marketplaces: Online marketplaces are a popular way to reuse clothing and other textiles. These platforms are also known as preloved websites, which includes Shpock, Vinted, Depop, and eBay. Recycle at supermarkets: Many supermarkets, such as Tesco and Dunelm, offer in-store recycling. Simply bag up your unwanted textiles and drop them off when you shop. Drop off at Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs): You can take clothing, bedding, curtains, sheets, and towels for recycling to HWRCs, including Redbridge.
This Easter let's make a conscious effort to reduce our waste and recycle where possible. After indulging in delicious chocolate treats and festive meals, be sure to recycle any foil wrappers, cardboard packaging, and other recyclable materials. By doing so, we can reduce our waste and improve recycling. 2) Minimising food waste
3) Easter recycling and waste collection days There will be no changes to bin collections this bank holiday weekend. Please put your bins out as normal. 4) Consultations
https://consultation.oxford.gov.uk/regulatory-services-and-community-services/empty-homes/ Closes 1 Apr 2024
https://consultation.oxford.gov.uk/community-services/proposed-opens-spaces-byelaw/ Closes 8 Apr 2024 5) Council Tax Council tax: Oxford City Council has set the amounts of the Council Tax for each category of dwellings in its area for the financial year beginning 1 April 2024. The total Tax includes the amounts being collected for a) the Oxfordshire County Council which for a Band D property is £1,820.56 and b) for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley which for a Band D property is £269.28. The Band D charge for the Oxfordshire County Council is made up of £1,557.52 General Expenditure and £263.04 Adult Social Care Precept. The total amounts payable for properties in each of the Valuation Bands are set out below:- Band A (up to £40,000); Band B (£40,001-£52,000); Band C (£52,001-£68,000); Band D (£68,001-£88,000); Band E (£88,001-£120,000); Band F (£120,001-£160,000); Band G (£160,001-£320,000) and Band H (over £320,000). Parish/area: Blackbird Leys: A 1,627.09; B 1,898.26; C 2,169.45; D 2,440.62; E 2,982.98; F 3,525.34; G 4,067.71; H 4,881.24. Littlemore: A 1,641.61; B 1,915.20; C 2,188.81; D 2,462.40; E 3,009.60; F 3,556.80; G 4,104.01; H 4,924.80. Old Marston: A 1,646.59; B 1,921.01; C 2,195.45; D 2,469.87; E 3,018.73; F 3,567.59; G 4,116.46; H 4,939.74. Risinghurst and Sandhills: A 1,640.84; B 1,914.31; C 2,187.78; D 2,461.25; E 3,008.19; F 3,555.14; G 4,102.09; H 4,922.50. Unparished areas: A 1,626.13; B 1,897.14; C 2,168.17; D 2,439.18; E 2,981.22; F 3,523.26; G 4,065.31; H 4,878.36. 6) Online application system for general housing register Until now, people making a general housing register application have needed to download an editable PDF and send supporting evidence by email. The new application system is quicker, simpler and more accessible, with relevant and up-to-date guidance. From now on, people will be able to access an application on a smartphone or other device and can submit additional evidence in a range of formats. The online form means people need to submit the evidence needed to assess their application when they apply. This will speed up processing times and reduce the need for further communication during the assessment process. The new system also includes an eligibility checker which will help people make an informed choice about whether to apply for social housing. There are more than 3,300 households already on the housing register and the council receives around 1,300 new applications a year. Most are unlikely to have enough priority to be considered for a council or housing association home. People wanting to make a new application to the general housing register can check if they are eligible and apply on the Council’s website Help is available for people having trouble making an online general housing register application. They should call the Council on 01865 249811 or contact an advice centre. The old PDF application form is no longer available for download. The Council will continue to process any outstanding applications made using this system. Anyone who has downloaded but not submitted a PDF application should now use the online system instead. Council tenants and tenants of partner housing associations who want a transfer should continue to apply using paper and PDF forms. The Council will introduce an online transfer application system in the next few months. 7) Road closures
This is a 24-hour road closure and no waiting. Oxford City Council plans to boost to the Covered Market with a £6.8million scheme to transform the market’s High Street and Market Street entrances and create a new space through the pedestrianisation of Market Street. Exemptions are included for emergency services and for the works and for access to premises which are only accessible from the closed section of road.
Part or whole sections of the footpath Nos. 320/116/50 to 320/116/60; and 320/4/30 to 320/4/40 which converge in that area will continue to be closed. Exemptions are included for emergency services, for works and for pedestrian access to premises which are only accessible from the closed sections of footpath.
GENERAL INFORMATION 1) Motoring webinars (needs to be booked)
This is the second of the series of 4 FREE webinars in 2024 in partnership with GEM Motoring Assist exploring a variety of subjects to help you to make informed motoring decisions and to stay safe on your road journeys. They will be with expert guidance from TV and Radio Presenter Valerie Singleton OBE and Chair person of the Older Drivers Forum. Rob Heard. In this webinar we will look at Motoring Holidays and Travel covering topics like:
We will have a panel of experts attending on the various subjects. Should you have any questions to ask the panel, then please email them in before the webinar. The webinar will last 60 minutes. Please register above to get your link to join the webinar. You DO NOT need a zoom account to join. We can't wait for you to join this event! 2) Healthwatch
We'd like to hear about people’s experiences of accessing and using eye care services in Oxfordshire. If you, or someone you care for, has needed eye care in the past two years, please consider telling us what it was like getting care in the NHS, at a high street optician, or at a private clinic. This might include getting an eyesight test, seeing a specialist, or having an eye operation. We will use what you tell us to help shape the support people need and to improve services. We will use what you tell us to help shape the support people need and to improve services. This survey is anonymous – you do not have to say who you are and we will not identify you. If you would like a copy of this survey in another format or language, or would prefer to speak to someone about this, please contact us on 01865 520520 or at hello@healthwatchoxfordshire.co.uk The survey will close for comments on Friday 26th April. 
For more details of our recent work you can read our report to the Oxfordshire Health and Wellbeing Board, which met last week, on our website here. 3) GP care reviews Have you visited or been in touch with your GP recently? If so, what was it like? Our Feedback Centre allows you to leave reviews of GP surgeries in the county. It only takes a few minutes to do and is completely anonymous. Share your experience here. 4) Temporary clothing banks The British Heart Foundation (BHF) will once again set up three clothing banks at strategic locations to assist during the student move-out period. Like last year, the banks will be situated at the following addresses:
These banks will be operational from Monday 15 April until Friday 26 April. While primarily intended for students, Oxford residents are also welcome to utilise these banks for the disposal of old clothing, footwear, books, homeware, CDs, and DVDs. 5) Rail Strikes Dear Maggie You may have seen the news that the ASLEF (train drivers) union have announced new industrial action at the start of April, as part of a rolling programme of strikes across operators. ASLEF members will be on strike at GWR (as well Chiltern Railways) on Saturday 6 April. On this day many parts of our network will have no service whatsoever, and where we are able to run, services will start late and finish much earlier than usual. Any customers that do travel should check before doing so at www.gwr.com/check. There may also be alterations to our services on the evening of Friday 5 April and on Sunday 7 April. Our team are working on getting journey planners updated as soon as possible, and we will also be making customers aware though traditional and social media, station and on-board announcements, and station posters. Anybody who has already bought a ticket for travel on Saturday 6 April will be able to claim a full refund. For full information please visit www.gwr.com/strike. ASLEF have also announced action short of a strike effective from Thursday 4 April to Saturday 6 April, and on Monday 8/Tuesday 9 April. While we will plan to run as full a service as possible (Saturday 6 April excepted), there may be short notice alterations and cancellations because this industrial action will mean we only have a very limited number of spare drivers. Sorry to not be bringing better news – if there is anything I can do to help please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Best wishes Tom Thomas Lydon | Public Affairs Manager | Great Western Railway 6) Oxfordshire Connect
We'll be starting work on the foundations for the new platform on Roger Dudman Way beside platform 4, from Tuesday 9 April. The work includes drilling 40 piles into the ground using a large piling rig (as shown in the photo above). Yesterday, we held a virtual briefing for the residents about the work. You can watch the video of the event at https://network-rail.wistia.com/medias/92mzr6zxzm The piling rig is so big that it needs to be delivered in three parts and then assembled on the site. It will be delivered on Tuesday night (2 April) to our site on Roger Dudman Way between 11pm and 1am, where large wooden boards have been delivered for it to stand on. Please note that if you are planning to travel through the area, the road may be temporarily blocked for safety reasons. Any blockage will be for a maximum of 15 minutes, and marshals will be present to manage the traffic.
Due to the utility work we're carrying out in and around the Mill Street junction area this weekend, we need to make some temporary changes to the traffic management so that we can safely control vehicle movements in the area. The traffic management that is currently in place on Osney Bridge due to the Thames Water work will be removed. Only one set of traffic lights will remain on the eastern side of the bridge. Additionally, there will be temporary traffic lights installed at the junctions of Mill Street and Abbey Road. These measures will be in place from Thursday (28/3) until early Tuesday morning (2/4) Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Oxfordshire County Council is consulting on the proposed new road layout for the Botley Road bridge area. Further information about the proposals is available via https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/oxford_botleyroadrail_highway2024
We'll be completing essential track maintenance between the two markers on the above map from 10:45pm on Saturday 6 April to 8:45am on Sunday 7 April. Our task will invovle replacing the stones that support the track using on-track machines. Lighting and a generator will be in place to assist us while we work. Since trains won't be operating during this time, we need to complete the work at night to make sure the area is safe for our workforce. We understand that we will be working near homes, and we'll make every effort to keep noise to a minimum. However, we are sorry if you are disturbed by the maintenance work.  7) Changes to Botley Road Flyer for the Easter weekend  Due to the upcoming Bank Holidays on Friday (29 March) and Monday (1 April), the Botley Road Flyer won't be operating as usual. We're really sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. However, don't worry, the service will be back up and running on Tuesday (2 April) and then again on Friday (5 April). After that, everything will return to normal on Monday 8 April. 8) Food recalls
Pack size 3x100ml Batch code L3324, L3325, L3326, L3327, L3328 Best before November 2025
Pack size 200g Use by 14 April 2024 Some people are more vulnerable to listeria infections, including those over 65 years of age, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies less than one month old and people with weakened immune systems. 9) Product Recalls (lots this week)
10) Population statistics
11) Our Future Health Our Future Health will be the UK’s largest ever health research programme, designed to help researchers to discover new ways to prevent, detect, and treat diseases. The aim is to build a community of five million people over the age of 18, from across the UK, who will donate their health information to create a powerful national resource that could help future generations live in good health for longer. An Our Future Health clinic is opening in Oxford. The clinic will be open at Boots, 8-10 Cornmarket Street, Oxford from 9 April 2024.
At your appointment, you will learn about your cholesterol and blood pressure – key risk factors for heart disease and stroke. In the future you will also have the option to receive information on your risk of some diseases based on analysis of your blood sample. To recognise the time and effort of volunteering, you will be offered a £10 voucher after:
You must complete these steps by 31 July 2024 to be eligible. After completing these steps, you will have 14 days to claim the voucher. You do not need to show any receipts. Thank you for supporting the UK’s largest health research programme. 12) Safety for children playing online games According to Ofcom, around 9 in 10 kids play games online. Is yours one of them? Gaming has many positive aspects but also carries risks, so it’s very important that you understand what these are and work with your child to ensure they remain safe and enjoy harmless fun. https://www.getsafeonline.org/gaming4good/  13) Fake news In an age where we’re all being constantly bombarded with information online; how can you tell what’s true or false? This article describes the difference between misinformation and fake news and includes handy tips on how you can tell the difference between them and the truth. https://www.getsafeonline.org/personal/articles/misinformation-fake-news/ 14) April Calendar 
Stay safe and I hope you have an enjoyable week. Maggie
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