Crime

DRINK driving in Buckinghamshire over the Christmas period showed a big decrease from last year according to new figures.
Statistics released this week by Thames Valley Police show that there were 22 per cent less people found to be driving when over the alcohol limit than there were over the festive period in 2008.

Meet Chief Inspector Paul Cook, the new local area commander responsible for policing in South Bucks.

TWENTY ONE people have been arrested in a pre-Christmas crackdown to tackle burglary, robbery and vehicle crime across the district and surrounding areas.

A GANG of organised criminals is breaking into homes in the dead of night to find car keys and drive off in high value cars while the owners sleep.

A LARGE cannabis factory was shut down by police in Gerrards Cross at the weekend with police claiming poor DIY carried out on it by the culprits was 'life-threating' for the surrounding residents.
Drugs cops raided a property in Vicarage Way on Saturday afternoon and confiscated a 'substantial' quantity of cannabis and growing equipment although nobody was present in the address.
.

Stoke Poges residents are being urged to be vigilant following a host of thefts from vehicles in the area.
Several thefts have recently been reported in Wexhm Street, which runs through the village, where criminals have been stealing number plates, as well as items from cars.
Lucy Groves, crime reduction officer for South Bucks, said: "Criminals are stealing plates each week for illegal purposes and the problem is growing."

Residents in Farnham Common have been forced to take a stand against vandalism outside their houses by putting up large gates to stop yobs from congregating there.
People who live in Langtons Meadow have suffered from yobs causing damage near their homes for a number of years, but thanks to a joint effort between police, the parish council and a housing association, the problem has now stopped.

A 75-year-old woman died on Wednesday after being hit by a green Ford Mondeo on the A40 between Gerrards Cross and Beaconsfield.
The incident happened at 5.35pm near the junction with Mumford Lane with the A40 closed for five hours while roads policing officers carried out an investigation.
A Thames Valley Police statement said: "We are particularly keen to speak to the occupants of the vehicles travelling behind the Green Ford Mondeo when the collision occurred.
"Anyone who witnessed the collision or saw the vehicle prior to the collision is urged to contact PC Tom Smith at Amersham Roads Policing Department via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505.
"If you do not want to talk to the police, call Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111."

Concerns have increased in Gerrards Cross that Chalfont St Peter's anti-social behaviour problem has found its way into the village.
Shortly after the New Year a restaurant in Packhorse Road was vandalised, which has led to fears in the area that the yobs who have caused problems in Chalfont St Peter in recent months have moved on to Gerrards Cross.

A fence was set on fire by arsonists in Fulmer at the weekend.
On Sunday at 6.59pm, firefighters were called to Windmill Road in the village to put out the blaze.
A crew from Gerrards Cross made the scene safe, but no arrests have yet been made in connection with the arson.