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.
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.
Matthew Barber
Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley