This page will be updated regularly on articles that OSCP has been involved in. Below are links to the following:

• Partnership crack down on car crime

• Summer Activities for young people

• Keeping it reel in Oxford

• Free summer fun for more young people! 

• OSCP Rolling Plan 2008-11

• Safe haven for students visiting Oxford

Partnership crack down on car crime

Oxford Safer Communities Partnership and Thames Valley Police launched are car campaign this summer by urging people not to leave valuables in their cars.

The partnership is working closely with Stagecoach buses and Oxford City Council car park attendants aim to help warn motorists about opportunist thieves who target cars with valuables on display.

Around 3,000 flyers are being distributed to car parks across the city.  Displaying a flyer inside a car makes it known to potential thieves that there is nothing of value in the car to steal.  Every Stagecoach bus in the city will also display a poster promoting this incentive.

Detective Inspector Colin Paine, of Oxford’s Auto Crime Team, says: “Drivers should check to make sure that they haven’t left their coat, handbag, mobile, sat nav or holder, briefcase, laptop, shopping or any money in their car.

“We are asking the public to help us crack down on car crime by removing their property and displaying the flyer on their dashboard every time they leave their vehicle.

 “A vehicle left unlocked or with windows open is an invitation to a thief, so don't leave your vehicle insecure - even for 'just a second' while you pay for petrol or use a cashpoint. It can be enough time for a thief to make off with your vehicle and any possessions left inside.

“You should avoid leaving your vehicle with the keys in the ignition at any time. This includes when loading or unloading shopping or baggage. When leaving your vehicle, make sure the windows are firmly rolled up and all of the doors are locked, including the boot.

Councillor Saj Malik, Executive Board Member for Safer Communities says, “It’s very encouraging to see crime falling in the city, it is now at its lowest since the 1980s. 

“However, we still need to be vigilant to help prevent crime, and we want to encourage drivers to remove all valuables from their cars and display a flyer. “An empty vehicle is a great deterrent - there is little incentive for a thief to break in if they can see nothing to steal.”

Police Community Support Officers, Street Wardens and Oxford City council car park attendants will distribute the flyers.

Summer Activities for Young People

Now that the school holidays have begun, you will want to know about the holiday activities that are going on around Oxford.  

Oxford City Council has funded schemes around the city for young people from the age of 5 to 16.  If you would like to join in, click on the link below.  This link provides information on where the activities will be, times and costs.

Summer Activities (file size: 37kb)

Keeping it reel in Oxford

The Environment Agency and OSCP have jointly funded a new position of Angling Development Officer to promote the sport of angling to the young people of Oxford.

The Development Officer will be working with young people that are socially excluded or at risk or on the fringes of crime and disorder in Oxford.  By encouraging them to take up the sport, it will hopefully divert them away from crime and help them discover its health and recreational benefits.  The project will be working with young people, however friends and family will be encouraged to join in.

Ian Horrocks, formerly of Thame Tackle, is thrilled to have taken up the post.  “I have fished all my life and now I have the chance to pass on some of my, skills, knowledge and enthusiasm to others. 

“Initially we are aiming to reach out to 10-19 year olds within the Oxford City Council area. We hope that once they get their feet wet and realise just how much fun fishing can be, they might then be inclined to form small clubs of their own or introduce other family members to the pastime.”

Neil Holman, Active Communities Partnership Manager will oversee the project.  “This is another initiative which OSCP has funded to provide activities for vulnerable young people that are at risk of committing crime or anti-social behaviour."

Fisheries Officer Tom Sherwood said  “Often people want to have a go at fishing, but just don’t know where to start.  We hope that after people have learnt the basics they will carry on fishing. 

The Environment Agency has also been supporting ongoing angling projects all over the area to get people hooked on fishing.”

A range of events will be organised with local partners over the summer, however, an angling event at Hinksey on the 13 August will be open to everyone.  Residents interested in taking part can call Ian Horrocks on 01865 467332 or phone Tom Sherwood from The Environment Agency’s Fisheries Division on 01491 828358.

Free summer fun for more young people!

Youngsters from East Oxford and Cowley will be able to enjoy activities for free or minimal charge following Oxford City Council’s Executive Board decision to fund and extra £30,000 on top of its annual award to provide activities for young people during the school holidays.

Over the last three years Oxford City Council has funded area based multi-activities for young people from the age of 5 to 19 years living in Barton, Blackbird Leys, Rose Hill and Wood Farm estates. The success of these schemes has resulted in Oxford City Council expanding the scheme to East Oxford and Cowley.

Neil Holman, Active Communities Manager in Oxford City Council will be working closely with partner officers in identifying key providers that could provide various activities. 

Each year saw excellent attendance to all activities.  In some areas, the activities have also helped in the reduction and crime and anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Antonia Bance, Social Inclusion and Young People Board member says ”Oxford City Council is proud to support this excellent initiative that provides a number of activities for young people to attend for free or minimal charge. 

“The scheme also provides a safe environment for young people to enjoy themselves.

More information on where the new schemes will be based will be released in the very near future.

OSCP Rolling Plan 2008-11

Since Oxford Safer Communities Partnership was established in 1998, work has been ongoing to reduce crime and disorder in Oxford.  Over the last 10 years there has been a considerable amount of success in tackling crime with large reductions in burglary, car crime and robbery.  These were:

• Domestic burglary reduced by 40.7% from 1328 in 2003-04 to 788 crimes in 2007-08

• Car crime reduced by 37% from 2892 crimes in 2003-04 to 1816 crimes in 2007-08

• Personal robbery reduced by 10.2% from 265 crimes in 2003-04 to 238 crimes in 2007-08

To tackle the issues that OSCP is facing for the future a rolling plan has been developed, which identifies OSCP's priorities for the next three years.  These priorities may change during the next three years, depending on the circumstances that affect people of Oxford.

Find out more about OSCP's Rolling Plan by clicking on the link below.

OSCP Rolling Plan 2008-11 

Safe Haven for students visiting Oxford

An initiative to help young language students in Oxford stay safe while visiting the city was launched this week.

Thames Valley Police and the Oxford Safety Community Partnership have joined forces with Borders bookshop and language schools in Oxford to provide a ‘safe haven’ for any young people who feel lost, vulnerable or threatened.

Students will be made aware that they can go to the shop if they need somewhere in the city centre where they feel safe. Every Borders member of staff will be briefed to either contact the student’s school or the police depending on the situation.