Matthew Barber, Thames Valley Police (TVP) Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC), Jason Hogg, TVP Chief Constable and Chief Superintendent Felicity Parker attended the meeting to give presentations and answer questions from members of the Committee.

The PCC summarised his areas of focus for 2025 which included information on funding, policing numbers, the increase in neighbourhood police officers, performance relating to the retail crime strategy and shoplifting, funding to the community safety partnership and tackling antisocial behaviour.  The Chief Constable provided information on subjects including policing and staff numbers, improvements in recruitment and retention of staff, Force Review update and savings, development of the Neighbourhood Policing App and improvements in contact management performance. The presentation by the Chief Superintendent covered statistics for the Reading area for the 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 period, this included a 16% solved crime rate, work to tackle shoplifting, residential burglary, domestic abuse, and community work at Hexham Road Estate, Reading town centre and Coronation Square.

The Committee asked a number of questions on subjects which included on police resourcing and restructure, dealing with drug abusers and drug dealers, anti-social behaviour, illegal mooring, supporting Reading Water Festival, domestic abuse, vehicle crime, bicycle theft, diversity in the workplace, drug treatment services,  Community Protection Notices, partnership working and attendance to meetings.

Resolved –

That the Thames Valley Police PCC, Chief Constable and Chief Superintendent thanked for their presentations.