Chesham

Findings from our recent Neighbourhood Policing Priorities Survey have identified drug-related activity as a key concern among residents in Chesham and Missenden. This feedback highlights the impact that issues such as drug use, supply, and associated Anti-Social behaviour are having on the local community.

Our recent Neighbourhood Policing Priorities Survey identified drug-related activity as one of the main concerns raised by residents across Chesham. We understand the impact that drug use, supply, and associated Anti-Social behaviour can have on our communities, and tackling these issues remains a key priority for the Neighbourhood Team.

Information provided by residents plays a crucial role in helping us target our efforts effectively. Reports about suspected drug activity, locations of concern, and individuals involved allow officers to direct patrols to the areas where they are needed most, disrupt criminal activity, and address behaviour that is negatively affecting local communities.

Over recent months, officers have carried out high-visibility patrols in identified hotspot locations and developed intelligence to support proactive enforcement activity. This work has led to a number of warrants being executed in Chesham, resulting in arrests for offences including the possession and supply of Class A and Class B drugs.

A recent example of proactive policing involved officers stopping a vehicle in Chesham after the driver attempted to evade police and fled on foot. Following a brief pursuit, the male was detained and searched, with a significant quantity of drugs recovered from both his possession and the vehicle. After being arrested and interviewed, he was charged and remanded in custody for drug offences. The same individual was also charged that day in connection with dangerous driving offences committed in Chesham and Missenden several months earlier. This demonstrates how proactive patrols and targeted enforcement can not only identify those involved in the supply of illegal substances but also bring offenders to justice for other offences affecting our communities.

Drug investigations are often complex and can take time to conclude. They can involve the examination of digital devices, forensic enquiries, financial investigations, and close partnership working with the Crown Prosecution Service and other agencies. In some cases, investigations also uncover concerns relating to the exploitation of vulnerable people, including modern slavery and county lines activity.

We continue to work closely with partner organisations, including housing providers and local authorities, to address drug-related issues within residential areas and support wider safeguarding efforts. This collaborative approach has resulted in a range of positive outcomes, including enforcement action, tenancy interventions, criminal prosecutions, and safeguarding measures aimed at protecting those most at risk.

We remain committed to acting on the concerns raised by residents and encourage the public to continue reporting information to us. Community intelligence remains one of the most effective tools in helping us disrupt criminal activity and keep Chesham safe.

If you have any information please report on 101 or online at www. thamesvalley.police.uk.

Call 999 if crime in progress or you are at risk of harm.

Our recent Neighbourhood Policing Priorities Survey identified speeding as one of the highest concern for residents across Amersham, Chesham and the Missendens. In Chesham, this remains a key priority for the neighbourhood team, and we are committed to addressing it through regular patrols, community engagement and targeted enforcement.

Speeding and road safety remain key concerns raised by residents across the area. In response, the Neighbourhood Policing Team continues to carry out regular speed enforcement and monitoring using roadside speed detection equipment. These operations are designed to deter speeding, improve road safety, and identify motorists who are travelling above the legal limit. In addition to enforcement action where appropriate, the visible presence of officers often encourages greater compliance with speed limits.

While speed enforcement activity traditionally reduces during the winter months, patrols and dedicated operations increase during the spring and summer periods. Several targeted enforcement days have been conducted this year, and recent feedback from Roads Policing officers confirms that significant time has been spent in Chesham addressing road traffic offences and improving road safety.

Reducing speeding requires a long-term partnership approach. Enforcement alone is not enough to change driver behaviour, and lasting improvements depend on education, awareness, and community involvement. We continue to work alongside partner organisations and local communities to promote safer driving and challenge unsafe behaviour on our roads.

Discussions with the Community Speed Watch Coordinator confirmed that volunteer activity remains strong, with local groups continuing to undertake regular speed monitoring and awareness campaigns throughout the area. Active Community Speed Watch groups operate in locations including Ley Hill, Ashley Green, Lye Green, Ashridge, and Latimer. Together, these volunteers dedicate a considerable amount of time to encouraging adherence to speed limits and raising awareness of local road safety concerns. Whilst it is difficult to quantify the overall number of deployments across the wider Chesham area due to the number of groups involved, activity levels remain consistently high.
We are aware that activity may not be completed as much as during the summer due to sorter daylight hours.

Particular recognition should be given to the Latimer Community Speed Watch group, which has completed over 58 deployment sessions since the beginning of the year. This represents a significant commitment from local volunteers and highlights the valuable contribution communities can make in addressing speeding concerns and improving safety for all road users.

We would like to thank all Community Speed Watch volunteers for their continued support and dedication. Further information about the scheme can be found at www.communityspeedwatch.org.

Residents also frequently link speeding to wider Anti-Social driving concerns, including excessive vehicle noise, aggressive driving, and dangerous manoeuvres, particularly during the evening and night-time hours. Such behaviour can have a significant impact on the quality of life of those living nearby. Where sufficient evidence is available, such as video footage and vehicle registration details, officers may issue Section 59 warnings, allowing further action to be taken should the behaviour persist. We encourage residents to report these incidents directly to the police, rather than relying solely on social media, to ensure concerns can be properly assessed and investigated.

Neighbourhood officers regularly deal with a range of road traffic offences across the local area, including uninsured driving, and take enforcement action where offences are identified. The team also investigates reports of careless, inconsiderate, and dangerous driving, taking appropriate action where evidence supports it.

Proactive work to tackle anti-social vehicle use remains an important aspect of neighbourhood policing. In recent months, officers have stopped a number of vehicles due to concerns regarding driving standards, and several vehicles have been seized after drivers were found to be driving without a valid licence. These interventions help improve road safety, reduce offending, and contribute to making our roads and communities safer

A recent example of bad driving was witnessed by Neighbourhood officers whilst conducting foot patrols in Chesham. The vehicle was stopped and seized immediately as they had already been warning about their driving standards only weeks before.

If you have any information or concerns, please report via 101 or online at www.thamesvalley.police.uk.

Always call 999 if a crime is in progress or if there is an immediate risk of harm.

Our recent Neighbourhood Priorities Survey revealed that the majority of Chesham residents consider anti‑social behaviour to be one of the key issues they want their local neighbourhood team to address. In response, we continue to carry out targeted activity across the area to reduce and prevent anti‑social behaviour. This remains a standing priority for the team. Chesham’s main concern of Anti-social behaviour currently is caused by anti-social driving in the late hours of the night, and congregations in local carparks in the unsociable hours.

High visibility patrols continued to be carried out by officers along main arterial routes and carparks causing demand (i.e Watermeadow carpark) They will aim to stop and engage with those identified to be causing issues and utilise anti-social behaviour powers such as section 59 warnings and community orders/warnings where appropriate.

If you have any information please report on 101 or online at www. thamesvalley.police.uk.
Call 999 if crime in progress or you are at risk of harm.