Vehicle crime plagues Lambourn

The latest incidents happened overnight between Friday, October 17 and Saturday, October 18.
In Baydon Road, a SatNav was stolen; in Ramsbury Road a radio was stolen from a piece of construction machinery; in Derby Close an expensive Dewalt power tool was stolen from a van and a white Mini Cooper was stolen from the St George’s Terrace area.
The incidents follow a previous spate of similar thefts in Hungerford and the Lambourn Valley which happened overnight on Thursday, September 11 and police have advised motorists to ensure their vehicles are secured and valuables are removed when unattended.
In the latest monthly update, the neighbourhood police team for Hungerford and the Lambourn Valley also report that in Hungerford a male was reported for a firearms offence after he allowed a youngster to use an air rifle without correct supervision in a field adjacent the A4.
Pc Claire Drewitt said: “The community worked well together and with the support of the local residents and workers on the land, we were able to deal with this male effectively.”
The update also reports how
* in Kintbury, eggs were thrown at a property but, thankfully, it was the only reported incident of anti social behaviour in the region on Hallowe’en night
* in Hungerford, burglars forced entry to A4 Tool Hire in the early hours of October 3 and stole a number of tools including chainsaws, hedge-trimmers and leaf blowers
* in Great Shefford a gamekeeper reported hare coursers on fields adjacent the A338. Police caught one male but three others escaped, despite the police helicopter being deployed. Police believe the fugitives might have fled in a car waiting on the B4000
* in Lambourn a farm feed room was broken into on October 4 but nothing appears to have been stolen. But on the same evening a second premises in the area was burgled and an engine crane and roll bars were stolen
* in Lambourn, the spare wheel of a Subaru was stolen from the vehicle while it was parked in the driveway of a property on Ermin Street overnight on the October 9
* in Kintbury Pc Drewitt arrested two males after they had been disturbed trying to steal metal from a property on the Templeton Road. Both were arrested on suspicion of burglary
* on Hungerford Hill a male was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage to vehicles on the morning of Thursday, October 30. However there was insufficient evidence to proceed and he was released without charge.
On a lighter note, Pc Drewitt and Pc James Parfitt dealt with an unusual traffic hazard - when a swan took a leisurely stroll along the busy A4 at Hungerford.
The officers managed to guide it to safety until swan rescue professionals reunited the bird with its family.
Pc Drewitt and colleagues also attended the recent Inkpen Newcomers Welcome Evening.
She said afterwards: “We really enjoyed the evening and had chance to speak with many residents, some who have lived in the village for several years and others only a few months. It was an ideal opportunity to engage with the local community.”
Members of the neighbourhood team also attended a meeting of the Hungerford Brownies to help them in working towards their Out and About and Road Safety badge.
Finally, at the end of September a pushbike was stolen from the garage of a property in the High Street, Kintbury. Forensic specialists attended the scene and retrieved a fingerprint.
Pc Drewitt said: “There was a match on our database and a male has been arrested, charged and bailed to appear in court.”
If you have information about any of the above incidents, contact the team via the 101 number.
Alternatvely the independent Crimestoppers charity can be contacted on 0800 555 111.