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10 Phonebox Magazine | May 2025Local people join police in law-breaking reduction schemeA series of Crime Prevention Roadshows across Olney, Newport Pagnell and Milton Keynes recently, were hailed a great success.More than 400 residents a day took advantage of the local Community Safety Team%u2019s help and advice on stamping out crime and anti-social behaviour during the four-day event last month. It was created in collaboration with Thames Valley Police, Milton Keynes City Council and supporting organisations. The roadshows were aimed at raising crime prevention awareness around Milton Keynes and its surrounding towns and villages. The prevention team visited eight diff erent locations, mainly outside supermarkets and local centres. They included the Sainsbury store in Olney, the Lidl in Newport Pagnell and sites across the rest of Milton Keynes, such as the Tesco Extra, Kingston and the Co-op in Great Linford.The events provided an opportunity for residents, visitors and employees to receive valuable crime prevention advice and learn how to minimise the risk of becoming a victim of crime. %u201cWe have been very well received,%u201d said Jane Forster, of Milton Keynes City Council. %u201cWe%u2019re mostly giving summer-related advice, such as not leaving windows open in your house during the day, along with vehicle security advice, like keeping valuables out of sight and not left on the back seat of your car. There%u2019s also crime prevention advice for van owners.%u201dNew route for the community minibusThe Olney Town Council Community Transport service was set up help reduce social isolation. Olney Town Council have introduced a new minibus service to help local people access community events. The bus was purchased with grant funds so there will be little ongoing costs to the town and the scheme has the potential to bring very positive implications. One example of how this will help is for residents who were keen to come to the Thursday Lunch Club. Some are unable to walk far enough to get there, so the minibus will be able to help these people get access to a good nutritious lunch and meet friends.The bus runs on Mondays and Thursdays, and route maps and schedules are available to view online (scan the QR code shown in this article).Town Clerk Jane Brushwood is keen to look at further routes and timings, but the service relies on a wonderful band of volunteer drivers and many more are needed. Jane writes: %u2018The more drivers we have, the more we can off er.%u2019If you would like to become a volunteer driver, you must be over 25 and have a valid, clean driving licence. If you could spare an hour or so, as little or as often as you like, Jane would love to hear from you. The minibus has eight passenger seats and is not much bigger than a 4x4. It%u2019s electric and very easy to drive. Jane points out that there are restrictions to the scheme; it is not a taxi service or a bus that would need to be licenced and insured in a completely diff erent way, the drivers cannot be paid, and the service cannot run outside of the town. However, it is early days and if it proves successful, and there is a demand, the council could look at an additional vehicle.The council would like to be able to link the new and old parts of town, the traditional market and the new supermarkets, encouraging residents to get involved with all the events that happen in town. Local residents are encouraged to get in touch with Jane if there is anything else you think could be off ered. Please email Jane at townclerk@olneytowncouncil.gov.uk with your suggestions and feedback.Route maps and timetables can be found here