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Latest news and views from your Police and Crime Commissioner
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At the start of this month, the Chief Constable and I presented awards to community groups across Thames Valley as part of our Community Fund at an event in Milton Keynes.
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As well as being an opportunity to provide over £200,000 of cash taken from criminals to worthwhile local groups, it was also an opportunity to say a huge thank you to those who do so much to support our communities. You can read more about the funding, below.
In April, we received confirmation that my bid to fund an additional 68 neighbourhood police officers for Thames Valley had been successful. These new officers to be recruited this year are on top of the increase that we have already seen in neighbourhood policing locally. This is the keystone of my Police and Crime Plan and once these officers hit the streets there will be more than two and a half times as many neighbourhood police officers as when I launched my Crimefighters strategy in 2023.
Overall crime in Thames Valley continues to fall, and Thames Valley Police are doing a good job but there is more work to do. I urge you to report crime or concerns directly to the police, don’t assume someone else will do it. Reporting on social media, turning a blind eye or assuming that crimes will be dismissed won’t lead to action.
Only reporting crimes to the police will lead to more criminals being caught and, if cases can be prosecuted, victims getting the justice they deserve.
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Matthew Barber
Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley
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PCC urges residents to report crime and anti-social behaviour
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In a new video, the PCC highlights his role as the voice of the people in policing to deliver an efficient and effective police service and safer communities:
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Contacting the police to report crime is now easier and quicker with online reporting or people can still call 101. Average waiting times for 101 calls have been reduced to 1 minute 15 seconds in January/February this year.
Shop theft reporting has increased and so have charges as a result of the work the PCC has been doing with Thames Valley Police and retailers, increasing the visibility of officers, using technology and sharing information, which has received positive feedback from companies in the Thames Valley.
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Over £200,000 taken from criminals to fund crime prevention projects
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Matthew Barber and Jason Hogg (Chief Constable, Thames Valley Police) have awarded £203,195 to community and voluntary organisations in the first round of this year’s Community Fund.
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With 210 applications submitted for over £1.4m of funding, 38 organisations have successfully been awarded funding of between £250 – £10,000 to support the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan key priorities.
The first round of this year’s Community Fund was focused on awarding grant funding applications to projects which support work to tackle anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime across Thames Valley.
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Boost to neighbourhood policing as additional officers confirmed for Thames Valley
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On 10 April, the Home Office confirmed plans for an increase to Neighbourhood Policing for 2025/26 which will see Thames Valley Police receive over £6m in funding to recruit an additional 68 police officers.
Remarking on the announcement, Matthew Barber said: “Having already more than doubled the number of neighbourhood police officers in Thames Valley, I am delighted that my bid for additional funding has been successful. This means that Thames Valley Police can now recruit an extra 68 neighbourhood police officers over the coming year.
“Neighbourhood crime and antisocial behaviour can have a significant impact, leaving people feeling unsafe in their own communities, and shouldn’t be tolerated.”
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PCC and TVP welcome stronger independent scrutiny by Thames Valley communities
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On 14 April, chairs from scrutiny, advisory and governance panels met for the first time following the implementation of a more robust and transparent approach to the public scrutiny of policing.
The implementation follows a Governance Review that took place last year that recommended a more robust, consistent approach with increased community involvement.
The Office of the PCC and Thames Valley Police encourage involvement from individuals from all backgrounds, with a wide range of expertise and experiences, and who are motivated by public service and a desire to bring about genuine, positive change.
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Using tech to fight retail crime: Disc app now used by over 1500 businesses
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The retail crime reporting app was rolled out a year ago free of charge, funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner as part of his retail crime strategy in Thames Valley.
Disc is a crime information-sharing system that allows for businesses and others to be aware of criminal activity in their communities, view galleries of offenders, submit reports of incidents and act as an alternative to 101 for reporting non-emergency crimes. It also enables communities to manage their business crime reduction schemes efficiently and effectively. A year since its launch, 1563 businesses have signed up and 1758 incidents have now been registered.
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Topping-out ceremony celebrates milestone for new forensics centre
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Thames Valley Police and Matthew Barber have celebrated a major milestone for the new forensics centre in Bicester with a topping-out ceremony held on 19 March.
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The purpose-built centre will become the main hub for the Forensic Investigation Unit, containing laboratories, new digital technologies and dedicated training facilities. It is part of the wider Forensic Improvement Programme, which has seen significant investment to transform our forensic services, improving investigations and the outcomes for victims.
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Jobs and opportunities within the OPCC
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Are you passionate about making your community safer, supporting victims and preventing crime? Working in the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) is more than just a job, it’s a chance to have a direct impact on the lives of others.
We currently have a number of vacancies including volunteering opportunities within Scrutiny and Advisory Groups:
• Appointment of Legally Qualified Persons (LQPs) to advise Police Misconduct Panels
• Independent Scrutiny & Oversight Board (ISOB) – Volunteer
• Complaints and Standards Committee Panel Members – Volunteer
• Independent Custody Visitors (Aylesbury and Maidenhead) – Volunteers
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Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner
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Thames Valley Police HQ, OX5 2NX, Kidlington
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