With Summer holidays just around the corner & warmer weather settling in, the South & Vale is full of rivers, streams & canals that may look inviting to many but could prove dangerous to even the strongest of swimmers. Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service warns of the dangers of open water & promote the following safety advice: 

•Avoid walking on routes near water if you have been drinking alcohol
•Lakes, reservoirs, rivers often hide hidden dangers below the surface that could make people ill, cause injury or kill. This could be anything from a strong current that appears calm, large rocks to machinery; from shopping trolleys to branches, and even fish hooks or broken fishing line
•Never swim, even where allowed, after drinking alcohol
•Don’t dive or jump straight into open water – this can cause potentially fatal cold water shock even on the warmest day with temperatures remaining cold in the water- even numbing limbs & claiming lives 

If you fall in: 
•    Don’t panic – lean back in the water, extend your arms and legs out and float on your back avoiding water entering your airway until the effects of cold water shock pass
•    Try & relax until initial panic & gasping subsides 

If someone else falls in: 
•    Never enter the water to try to rescue someone – call 999 and ask for the fire and rescue service if inland and the coastguard if you are on the coast.
•    Know your location to help emergency services find you-consider using location apps
•    Throw a life ring or throw a line to them if one is near

Anyone witnessing someone in trouble in the water should call 999 or 112 and shout for help.

.

Thames Valley Police is launching a new Police Officer recruitment campaign, aimed at attracting people to the force who want a career where they can make a real difference and realise their full potential.

As a Police Officer, once confirmed in post you have a variety of career opportunities and specialisms available that will enable you to realise your career potential.

From an initial start on Incident & Crime Response(ICR),options open up to include an investigative career as a Detective (Child Abuse Investigation, Domestic Abuse Investigation, CID, Major Crime, Family Liaison Officer), Firearms, Dog handler, Mounted section, Counter Terrorism, Surveillance, Drone Pilot, Rural Crime, Roads Policing, Public Order, Negotiator, Intelligence and many more. Thames Valley Police offers entry routes to those interested in becoming a Police Officer for both those with or without a degree.

The starting salary for all new recruits is £26,780(which includes £2,000 South-East allowance). On the current system, officers can expect to be earning a salary in excess of £40,000 per annum by your seventh year in the job.

Ready to apply today to become a Police Officer? To learn more and to apply via the entry route best suited for you, please visit: www.tvpcareers.co.uk/police-officer. Would you like to speak to us in person about a career in policing? Join our TVP Job Fairs this summer: as part of this new recruitment campaign, two job fairs are being organised throughout summer, one in Slough, on 25June, and one in Buckinghamshire(date to be confirmed). To register your place and learn more about these events, please visit our TVP Events page.