Recent Posts

Does anyone know why the cycle shop in Cookham Village has its window boarded up?

There are 130,000 police officers in England and Wales policing a population of over 55 million, and covering an area of 58,380 sq. miles. With the three largest conurbations, London, Manchester and Birmingham having 30,000, 7,500 and 7,500 police officers respectively, police resources are stretched and in great demand.
 
The greatest single deterrent and prevention of crime is self-help, and when acted upon collectively, becomes a significant force for the good. Thames Valley Police are very supportive of NHWM, and along with the PCC, have very close links with Thames Valley NHWM at force level. We now aim to build on this foundation at a local level, especially in the burglary initiative building up to Christmas.
 
By becoming a NHW Watch member locally, you will benefit from support from the Home Office and NHWM, nationally, with access to various security products and advice, along with co-ordinators receiving insurance covering liability for watch activities. They are also supported by the Co-Op as a main sponsor.
 
Since its inception in the 1960’s, the concept of NHW has grown worldwide and is very active in developed countries such as the USA, Canada and Australia, and has proven to be a very successful crime reduction tool. It has also enhanced community spirit and involvement.
 

They're back!
The Nottingham Knockers were in Cookham this afternoon (Wed 18th Nov) a week after the last lot … and a tad bolder to boot !

One ducked through my electric gate whilst my wife was reversing her car out,  walked up to the door, and despite my wife asking who
the hell he was, he rang the doorbell and asked "...can I speak to the man of the house".
When I told him I wanted nothing and politely asked him to leave, his reply ... dripping in sarcasm, was
 "Well, he must have parachuted in then 'cos I know of no one doing this patch recently"... A Knocker and a joker both rolled into one!

I assured him that another Knocker was around last week but he continued with his spiel, saying I couldn't have had anyone here,
that he had better stock anyway, I needed to buy the oven gloves ...etc. etc. etc. ... and made no move to depart ... that is,
until my dog came up and sat beside me with the faintest of growls...
... two steps back and a cursory glance over his shouder and he made his way out.

Be warned ... these guys are now getting bolder and a heck of a lot more assertive.

Can you imagine that the Hon Bill Astor received 12 American cars from friends in the States for his 21st birthday. His father said that he wanted one to use for sweeping in the hay at White Place Farm. So here is the story as I remember it.

https://youtu.be/UMdb8IoEmwA

So turn up your sound.

I hope you are all getting ready to feed the birds in your garden or on your balcony this coming winter. Here are two gulls that I videoed this morning.

 https://youtu.be/QuVns8LxOao

Turn up your sound.

Sutton Road is closed near the High Street towards Maidenhead due to an accident. It should be sorted out soon though.

[COOKHAM]

POLICE AND TRADING STANDARDS, JOIN FORCES TO TACKLE ROGUE TRADERS
A national day of joint enforcement action, Operation Rogue Trader, saw trading standards work alongside police to target rogue traders and aggressive doorstep sellers last month.

Personnel from trading standards, police and other enforcement partners, totaling 1156, undertook action aimed at tackling rogue practices and raising awareness of the dangers linked to engaging with cold-callers.

The operation meant officers were able to identify 708 individual offences, leading to 19 arrests and the seizure of 39 vehicles. Consumers were saved nearly £5,200.

In addition, action included 460 community-based awareness events, which saw trading standards and police engage with the groups most frequently targeted by rogue traders. Officers visited a further 1,324 households, offering advice on avoiding falling victim to rogue traders.

Community engagement continued online, with local authority services generating 530 individual pieces of media and social media coverage.

Operation Rogue Trader is a national multi-agency campaign coordinated by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) alongside Liberal, the Police National Intelligence Unit.

Activities during the operation included executing warrants, identifying vehicles used by criminals through automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), conducting intelligence-led patrols and raids, and educating members of the public and frequently-targeted groups before they can be scammed.

Liberal spokesperson, Andy Luckett, said: "Operation Rogue Trader catches offenders and disrupts criminal activity. Rogue traders tend to be involved in a number of illegal activities and working with multiple agencies means we can seriously obstruct criminals and get them off the streets."

In contrast to previous years, the focus of this year’s operation shifted from enforcement to crime-prevention, with more than double the number of community events taking place.

Discussing the shift in focus, Louise Baxter, CTSI Lead Officer for Consumer Education and Team Manager at National Trading Standards, said: "It’s crucial to raise awareness of doorstep crime and help prevent innocent people from falling victim to these criminals. This campaign provides a platform to educate people and put a stop to doorstep crime in our communities."

Approximately one third fewer personnel took part in the Operation this year as agencies and public services across the country continue to experience the results of budget cuts.

CTSI Lead Officer for Doorstep Crime, Tim Day, said: "Despite the decrease in the personnel involved, the number of offences identified was not proportionally lower. It’s also telling that, despite the high number of offences, there were far fewer arrests than last year."

"Rogue traders and doorstep fraudsters prey on the most vulnerable in society. Working closely with the police and other agencies means we can intervene sooner and safeguard potential victims, but services are struggling under cuts and there is a genuine concern as to how long enforcers can continue to protect the public under this strain"

If you suspect someone of being a rogue trader, or find yourself accosted by uninvited doorstep sellers, contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 040506.

 
MAIDENHEAD CENTRAL:
maidenheadcentralnhpt@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
7/11 - 10/11  Wednesday noon / Saturday 3 p.m.  All saints Avenue.  Burglary.  The owner reports that someone has tried to force a garden gate to gain entry to the property.  No entry gained and nothing stolen.
9/11  Friday 8.20 a.m. / 8 p.m.  Grenfell Place.  A bike locked to metal posts stolen.  A silver Trek FX7.1, mountain bike.
 
RIVERSIDE & BELMONT:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
 
MAIDENHEAD WEST
maidenheadwestnhpt@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
BISHAM, COOKHAM, HURLEY, THE WALTHAMS, LITTLEWICK GREEN & KNOWL HILL:
9/11  Friday 9 a.m. / 3 p.m.  Farm, Choke Lane.  Offenders have entered a farm and forced entry to a barn.  They have then attempted unsuccessfully to force open six containers containing tools.  Nothing appears to have been stolen.
 
PINKNEYS GREEN & FURZE PLATT:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
 
MAIDENHEAD SOUTH
maidenheadsouthnhpt@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
BOYN HILL, COX GREEN & WOODLANDS PARK:
9/11  Friday 3 p.m. / 5 p.m.  Walkers Road.  Burglary.  Offenders have smashed a ground floor window to gain entry.  The offenders may have been disturbed as nothing has been stolen.
9/11  Friday 11 p.m.  Maple Close.  Wall damaged.
 
OLDFIELD & BRAY:
8/11 - 9/11  Thursday 7 p.m. / Friday 8.15 a.m.  Compound, Forest Green Road, Holyport.  Offenders forced the lock from the gate and entered the compound.  They then forced entry to an outbuilding and made an unsuccessful attempt to strip a quad bike, in an attempt to steal it, removing the ignition.  Nothing stolen.
9/11  Friday midnight / 5 p.m.  Moneyrow Green, Holyport.  A witness heard an alarm sounding and went to investigate.  They found the internal sounding box had been smashed and doors found open.  The police were called and found the point of entry was a forced upstairs window.  Offenders had climbed onto a conservatory to access the first floor.  Nothing stolen.
8/11 - 12/11  Thursday 4 p.m. / Monday midnight.  Reeve Road, Holyport.  White paint splashed over a car.
 
 
I am afraid the PEC are slow to answer at the moment - hence my recommendation that you let us know using the online reporting system:
 
https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/

Thank you. Well put !

Here is that young gull again from a different angle. Using that SUPTIG remote control.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPXv4B6qvSk

Turn up your sound.

The young gull with a limp, this time feeding from the mat. I think he or she got the limp fighting over food:

https://youtu.be/Cz_88bBLa2o

Turn up your sound.