STATISTICS often mean nothing until the bare facts behind them are revealed. This is the case for householders in Sunnycroft who were burgled recently. Now residents are reminded to take simple precautions to ensure that the criminals have a tough time.

All three houses had doors or windows forced with tools, in one case the garden shed was broken into to find the tools to break into the house.

Remember to put away all your garden equipment safely, making sure your shed has a good strong padlock and consider if the shed itself needs replacing if it is not secure.

DESPITE these crimes, Downley still has a very low rate of burglaries; this was explained at the Neighbourhood Watch meeting at St James the Great church hall on Monday by Phil Ince, our beat officer.

Thames Valley Police are confident that the perpetrator will be apprehended in the very near future. Of course we send our sympathy to the victims of crime.

Meanwhile, we were urged to help the police in their fight against burglary by using infra-red marker pens: if marked property is found during the course of an investigation, it makes prosecution that much simpler.

Pens, and a complete pack of literature detailing practical ways to protect your home, are available from High Wycombe Police Station.

Call me if you cannot get there and I'll collect a load for distribution. More on the meeting next week.

GENEROUS guests donated a wonderful £91.30 at the Macmillan Cancer Relief Coffee Morning last week in the home of Ann Buxton. Thank you to everyone who came along, the money will be well used by the charity to support cancer sufferers and their families.

DO YOU have a flair for keeping tabs on money? Downley Old School Community Association has an unexpected vacancy for a treasurer as the current post holder is moving onto pastures new. Please call David Worsdall on 01494 526541 for full details, or volunteer without even thinking about the work load.

DOWNLEY DAY committee will be holding its AGM on Wednesday at St James the Great church hall. Everyone is welcome at 8pm with comments, suggestions and offers of help to organise next year's event.

THE QUIZ at the Memorial Hall on Saturday last was extremely well attended and enjoyed by all.

Lucky I was in the team that came next to last or I could have been accused of cheating seeing as my husband set the questions!

Alan has offered the quiz, or one of many others, to anyone looking for a set of ready made questions for a fund raising event.

Call me on 01494 437552.