Issue - meetings

To consider the successes, opportunities for improvement, and priorities for the year ahead

Further report to follow

(Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner, John Campbell, Chief Constable and Katy Grint, Chief Superintendent, Thames Valley Police attended the meeting for this item)

The Police and Crime Commissioner, with the aid of slides, gave a presentation on the Thames Valley Police & Criminal Justice Plan for 2021-2025.  He referred specifically to the changing nature of community policing, fighting serious organised crime, fraud, and cyber-crime, improving the criminal justice system, and tackling illegal encampments. He also outlined future strategies included rural crime, business crime, neighbourhood policing, road safety and fly-tipping and environmental crime.  He referred to the work of community safety partnerships, the current position on police officer recruitment and services for victims and the violence reduction unit

The following issues were raised by members: -

·         Concerns that the law on illegal encampments needed to be strengthened. The Commissioner said that legislation going through parliament would criminalise specific examples of trespass.

·         Lack of enforcement of road offences and a need for more speed cameras and protection for vulnerable road users.  The Commissioner said that improvements were needed in dealing with reactive reports of road offences and public confidence that these will be dealt with appropriately. He was waiting to see the results of a trial of average speed cameras in Hampshire.  The Chief Constable said that the force issued around 200,000 fines for road offences.  Members considered it would be appropriate for enforcement of these offences to transfer to local authorities.

·         Concerns about racism, misogyny, and other types of discrimination within police forces.  The Commissioner said that any cases within Thames Valley Police have been brought to the attention of senior colleagues and there was a healthy culture around reporting such incidents.  He also emphasised the importance of screening applicants during recruitment

·         Concerns about the increase in hate crimes in the County.  The Chief Constable referred to the need to encourage the reporting of such crimes and the need for a better understanding of the motives.

·         Question about the number of front offices in the County.  The Chief Constable said he had to review the use of resources available and the level of use when deciding whether to keep open front offices.

·         Concerns about rural crime and incidents of valuable items being stolen from properties at night.  The Chief Constable said that a rural task force had been established to deal with these incidents

·         The Commissioner reported that the Police and Crime Panel would be considering a report on CCTV provision recommending improved coverage and a unified system covering the entire force area.

·         Need to improve the process for community trigger applications.  The Commissioner said that he could provide a central secretariat and an independent chair.

·         The Commissioner said that the force had new in-house expertise devoted to dealing with modern slavery and increased awareness and training was being provided

·         Concerns that insufficient priority was being given to tackling crime against women and girls.  The Commissioner said that there were priorities in the plain aimed at dealing with these types  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10