To receive presentations from the Thames Valley Police Chief Constable and Police & Crime Commissioner.

Matthew Barber, Thames Valley Police (TVP) Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC), John Campbell, TVP Chief Constable and Superintendent Steve Raffield, Reading LPA Commander attended the meeting to give presentations and answer questions from members of the Committee.

The presentation by the PCC set out the priorities included in the Police & Criminal Justice Plan of strong Local Policing, fighting serious organised crime, fighting fraud and cyber-crime, improving the criminal justice system and tackling illegal encampments. He also outlined changes to the funding of Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs), current work on fly-tipping and speeding, police officer recruitment, support services for victims of crime, a new violence reduction unit and the Community Fund.

The presentation by the Chief Constable covered subjects including the response to and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing more offenders to justice, protecting the vulnerable, improving satisfaction among victims of crime and maximising the benefits of digital technology.  The presentation by the LPA Commander

The Committee asked questions on subjects including prioritising Violence and Women and Girls, reductions in funding for Reading’s CSP, decriminalisation of speeding offences so that they could be enforced by local authorities, Stop and Search policies, the impact of lockdowns on domestic abuse offending and the number of officers engaged in Neighbourhood Policing.

Resolved –

That the Thames Valley Police PCC, Chief Constable and LPA Commander be thanked for their presentations.