Matthew Barber, the Thames Valley Police & Crime Commissioner, discusses the challenges and achievements of policing in the Thames Valley area.
He highlights the increase in officer numbers, the focus on neighbourhood policing, and the importance of community safety.
Matthew also addresses future initiatives, particularly in tackling vehicle crime, and shares insights on national policing challenges, including the Crime and Policing Bill and potential changes to the policing landscape in the UK.
Matthew was re-elected as Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley in May 2024. He served as Deputy PCC from 2017 to 2021, during which time he took on the chairmanship of the Local Criminal Justice Board.
Matthew’s key priorities for 2024 – 2029 are as follows:
- Protecting Communities
- Protecting People
- Protecting Property
Matthew was previously councillor for the Steventon and the Hanneys ward of the Vale of White Horse District Council. He also served as Leader of the Council from 2011 to 2018. He has been a director of the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership as well as Chairman of Vale4Business and a Board Member of Science Vale and is involved in various charitable organisations.
Takeaways
- Thames Valley Police is facing common challenges like rising domestic abuse.
- A commitment to doubling neighbourhood policing officers has been made.
- Shoplifting is a significant concern, and new reporting systems have been implemented.
- Crime figures are falling, and arrests have increased, leading to positive outcomes.
- CCTV initiatives are being developed to support police investigations.
- Vehicle crime is a focus area, with a strategy being developed to tackle it.
- The Crime and Policing Bill has cross-party support and includes important measures.
- Local government plays a crucial role in crime prevention and youth justice.
- Policing reforms may lead to regionalisation of services in the future.
- The complexity of policing changes often makes them challenging to implement.
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Thames Valley Police and Challenges Ahead
03:04 – Achievements and Progress in Policing
05:58 – Future Initiatives and Focus Areas
08:47 – National Policing Challenges and Legislative Change
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