he Older Drivers Forum is an advisory group of Road Safety practitioners to support Older Drivers to carry on driving safely for longer and also give advice to interested family and friends. There is no cost, no advertising, just purely there as a support organisation.

The Older Drivers Forum is holding three, free-to-attend webinars this month – and registration is now open.

The webinars will look at what can be done to address concerns about older drivers, impairment and driver eyesight.

The latter forms part of an ongoing nationwide campaign to highlight the importance of good vision when it comes to road safety – and is hosted by Valerie Singleton OBE. It is suitable for all ages.

All three webinars take place on Zoom.

Full details of the webinars:

11 March (2pm)
Concerned about an Older Driver? We can help
This webinar is to provide support for families, friends, and carers who are concerned about an older driver. The webinar includes advice on how to: start empathetic conversations with their loved one, friend or client; keep them driving safely, for longer and plan for when it is time for them to retire from driving.
Click here to register

13 March (2pm)
Are you driving whilst impaired?
Impairment, when related to driving, often refers to drink, drugs or a medical condition. However, everyone drives in an impaired fashion from time to time whether it be through tiredness, stress, distraction or simply complacency. This webinar will look at all the factors which may impair our driving decisions and offers solutions to ensure the risk of a road traffic collision is as low as possible.
Click here to register

14 March (2pm)
Is your vision roadworthy? – FOR ALL AGES
This webinar is hosted by Valerie Singleton OBE and will offer the opportunity to find out more about driver vision and the vital role played by good eyesight in reducing risks on the road. The webinar will discuss what the law says and the legal requirements for driving, as well as advice from an optometrist on good eye health and importance of regular eyesight tests and lots more.
Click here to register

For more information on any of the webinars, please contact Rob Heard, chair and founder of the Older Drivers Forum, via email.

Nearly two-thirds (65%)* of us are worried about our home being broken into, yet there are simple, proven measures we can all take to halve our chances of being burgled. 

We have joined forces with our longstanding primary smart security partner, ERA Home Security, to bring you our Think WIDE(N) burglary prevention campaign highlighting the simple, evidence-based WIDE measures which can be taken in any home on a variety of budgets.

At Neighbourhood Watch, we also believe neighbours keeping an eye out for each other is key to reducing burglary, so we’ve extended the WIDE acronym to WIDE(N):

• W: WINDOWS: Keep your windows locked
• I: INTERIOR: Put inside lights on a timer/smart bulb
• D: DOORS: Double or deadlock your doors
• E: EXTERIOR: Put outside lights on a sensor
• (N): NEIGHBOURS: Keep an eye out for your neighbours

Leaving home? Use this free home security checklist to leave your home safe and secure.

John Hayward-Cripps, CEO of Neighbourhood Watch Network, said ‘We know that by securing your home’s windows, interior, doors, exterior and keeping an eye out for neighbours, we can all give ourselves the best chance of preventing burglary.

If you have been burgled recently, criminals are familiar with your home and may come back once you’ve had time to purchase new items. Act soon to avoid being retargeted – use the WIDE(N) advice for a combination of simple yet effective prevention measures.’

Learn more at ourwatch.org.uk/thinkwiden.

* Neighbourhood Watch Crime and Community Survey 2022

The hot weather has brought an increase in individuals lighting fires on grass areas across South & Vale. We would like to remind the public that these fires can cause damage & harm to those nearby & offer the following safety advice:

• Help stop fires from starting by never lighting open fires in the countryside
• Only use BBQ’s in safe, designated areas when in the countryside & don’t leave them unattended. Make sure they are fully extinguished & cold before disposal
• Don’t light fires in close proximity to trees, bushes, livestock or property as the fire is more likely to spread should it get out of control
• Extinguish cigarettes properly & don’t throw the end on the ground or throw them out car windows
• Take rubbish, bottles & glasses with you when leaving the countryside as sunlight shining through glass can start fires

If you see a fire make sure you are out of immediate danger & report the fire immediately by calling 999.

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.

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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.