Anthony Stansfeld, Thames Valley Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC), and John Campbell, Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police (TVP), attended the meeting to give presentations and answer questions from members of the Committee.  Superintendent Bhupinder Rai also attended to answer questions on local issues.

The presentation by the PCC covered an overview of policing in the Thames Valley, progress against the Strategic Priorities for 2017-21, funding awarded by the PCC, the Victims First service, call response performance and a summary of crime performance in 2018-19 with comparisons to historic trends. The PCC also gave a statement on the future of Reading Police Station.

The presentation by the Chief Constable covered priority outcomes for 2019/20, call volumes to 101 and 999 and average time to answer calls, assaults on officers, key crime areas and local issues in Reading, local partnerships and crime prevention initiatives and current challenges faced by TVP.

The Committee asked questions on subjects including attendance at Neighbourhood Action Groups, neighbourhood policing resources in South Reading, the possibility of local authority enforcement of speeding offences, police readiness for Halloween and recruitment and retention of police officers and PCSOs.

At the invitation of the Chair, a local resident Vanessa Brockway addressed the meeting on the increasing problem of drug-related crime and ASB in the Zinzan Street area.

Resolved –

That the Police & Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable be thanked for their presentations.