New initiative announced to tackle fly-tipping across Thames Valley
Fly tipping is a major concern across Thames Valley and it can affect private landowners in both rural and urban locations. Conservative PCC Candidate, Matthew Barber, has already announced his intention to bring together a taskforce of local authorities, the Environment Agency and the police to develop a strategy to better tackle the problem, which can be big business for criminals.
Now in a first of a kind in Thames Valley, a new pilot scheme is being proposed to support farmers and landowners to remove fly-tipping from their land free of charge and to put in place measures to prevent it from happening again.
Local councils do not remove fly-tipped waste on private land, that is the responsibility of the landowner, however councils do investigate reports of fly tipping.
Under the proposed pilot scheme in one local authority area, farmers and private landowners in West Oxfordshire District would be able to report fly-tipping on their land and the council will arrange for the fly tip to be cleared – with the cost being met by the Police and Crime Commissioner.
The council would then suggest measures that would help the landowner to prevent further tipping on their land. Mobile, quickly deployable CCTV cameras could then be used in hot spot areas with the aim of securing evidence to catch and prosecute the fly tippers.
Matthew Barber, Conservative PCC candidate said fly-tipping on private land is an issue that is frequently raised, especially by people living in rural communities.
“Fly tipping is organised crime and can impact both urban and rural areas. I have spoken to many landowners who have had to bear the cost of this criminal activity. It harms their land; it harms the local environment and it is quite simply a crime.
“I want to help fight this criminal behaviour across Thames Valley, and so I look forward to the opportunity of working with West Oxfordshire to develop this pilot scheme. The initiative would be evaluated to understand its effect on fly tipping in those areas, and the ability to track down the offenders.”
Cut It Out – domestic abuse awareness training
The Thames Valley Police & Crime Commissioner's Violence Reduction unit has launched a new campaign supported by world famous stylist Nicky Clarke. The Cut It Out campaign intends to raise awareness of domestic abuse across the hair and beauty industry.
The Thames Valley Violence Reduction Unit has developed a new training package for students in the industry to help them spot the signs of abuse and to ensure they know how to support victims and seek further help.
The campaign was launched this week at Activate Learning's Oxford campus. Nicky Clarke joined the launch event and spoke to students and staff about how the training is being delivered.
It is estimated that one in four women and one in six men experiencing some form of domestic abuse during their life. Hair-dressers, barbers and beauty therapists are often in a position of privilege with their client, not only working physically close to them but also very often, they are someone trusted to talk to or confide in. The Cut It Out campaign recognises this unit opportunity to spot the signs of abuse and to intervene early.
The training package, first developed with Milton Keynes College is available for anyone to access on Activate Learning's website.
The training covers different forms of abuse, not just physical, but emotional, financial and controlling behaviours. It provides advice on how to encourage someone to make a report, escape abuse and signposts to leading support organisations.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, or are worried about someone who may be, you can contact Thames Valley Police. If there is an emergency that’s ongoing or life is in danger call 999 immediately. If you cannot speak, call 999 and dial 55. In a non-emergency case and for general advice call 101. Further information is available on the Thames Valley Police website.
Victims First for residents of the Thames Valley: 0300 1234 148 or via online chat
Election update
With less than two weeks to go until the Police & Crime Commissioner elections on Thursday 6th May. There are also local elections taking place in most areas across the Thames Valley. Postponed from last year due to coronavirus, these elections are your chance to have your say about the strategic priorities for policing in your community.
If you have registered for a postal vote your ballot paper may already have arrived. Please complete and return your vote as soon as possible and the Royal Mail are recommending you use one of their Priority Postboxes which are being collected more regularly during the pandemic.
If you are voting in person on 6th May it may be worth double checking your polling card or contacting your local council to check the location of your polling station as some have changed from the normal venues due to the need for social distancing.
Whoever you elect as PCC will be responsible for:
- Managing a budget of nearly half a billion pounds
- Holding the Chief Constable to account
- Appointing - and if necessary - firing the Chief Constable
- Setting the priorities for the police, reflecting the concerns of the public
- Providing services for victims of crime
Whoever you decide to support in this election, make sure your voice is heard. Polls will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 6th May at your local polling station and if you haven't post back your postal vote by then you can still hand it in at a polling station. Extra precautions are being taken to ensure that voting is safe.
My Plan to tackle crime in Thames Valley
Over many months of having spoken to residents across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and Oxfordshire I have developed a plan to reflect the concerns of the public and tackle crime across Thames Valley.
That's why I am standing for election as your Police & Crime Commissioner in next months election. I have set out my clear priorities:
- Strong local policing More police officers, strengthening neighbourhood policing and focussing on the crimes that matter most to the public.
- Fighting serious organised crime Cracking down on the threat from county lines drugs gangs to protect children from abuse and exploitation and tackling knife crime
- Fighting cyber crime and fraud Investing in the technology and resources the police need to protect you and your families online
- Improving criminal justice Supporting victims of crime, bringing more criminals to justice and reducing reoffending
- Tackling illegal encampments Ensuring a firm but fair response to illegal encampments and reducing the impact on communities
My experience means that I have set out my plan not just for what I want to achieve - but how I can achieve it - but I can only deliver this plan with your support on Thursday 6th May. So please lend me your vote to get tough on crime for safer communities.
You can read more about My Plan at www.matthewbarber.co.uk.
Click the button below to let me know that you're backing my plan by voting for me on Thursday 6th May...
Click here if you're voting to back My Plan
Your questions answered live on Zoom
I am continuing my series of online Police & Crime Conversations. If you have any questions, views or concerns about policing and crime issues across Thames Valley or some of the major national issues that impact on policing in our community why not join the conversation?
The next free online events are on Zoom and Facebook Live on...
- Friday 30th April, 7pm
- Monday 3rd May, 7pm
Simply click the link below to register on to Zoom or join in via my Facebook page.
Join me for my next live discussion - click here to register free!
