Have your say in my latest policing survey!
The role of the Police & Crime Commissioner includes holding to Chief Constable to account, setting the council tax precept for policing, commissioning services for victims of crime, funding community safety partnerships and setting the policing priorities for the Thames Valley.
I want to know your views about policing where you live. Please spare a few moments to complete my short survey and tell me what you think is going well and what can be done better. Please do spread the word and share the survey with friends and family!
Visit www.matthewbarber.co.uk/haveyoursay
New Broadmoor Hosptial due to receive first patients before end of the year
At the end of April, the West London NHS Trust took possession of the new Broadmoor Hospital from Kier PLC and have now begun the crucial work of commissioning the site and training the staff on all of its new features. Earlier this month the local MP, Dr Phillip Lee, together with Deputy Police & Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber, were shown around the site to inspect the progress that was being made.
The facility, which is due to receive its first patients before the end of the year, differs greatly from its old Victorian predecessor, with extensive use of natural light to provide a more open feel. However, whilst the systems are state-of-the-art, the hospital is keeping to tried and trusted technology.
Speaking for the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Deputy PCC Matthew Barber added, “The new facilities at Broadmoor are a huge step forward. Dealing with the secure hospitals such as Broadmoor as well as the many prisons in Thames Valley presents a challenge for the police. It was a good opportunity to discuss the issues of crime within the hospital and to ensure we strike the right balance to protect staff, patients and the public.”
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Work continues on unauthorised encampments
As reported in previous newsletters I am continuing to work on Thames Valley's approach to dealing with unauthorised encampments. In recent years a joint protocol between the police and local authorities greatly improved the response, but there is more to do.
The Government has promised to amend legislation and I have written to all of the MPs in the Thames Valley to enlist their support. In the meantime I continue to work with officers to learn from best practice elsewhere and explore new ideas. I recently visited Swindon to talk to council officers and officers from Wilsthire Constabulary. I have also been in contact with the Garde in the Republic of Ireland to understand the legislative framework their and how they deal with the issue.
I remain committed to ensuring that the police in Thames Valley have a fair and robust policy for dealing with illegal encampments.
Bringing together Community Safety Partnerships
At the end of June the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner brought together all of the Community Safety Partnerships from across the Thames Valley. The Partnerships, led by local authorities, play a major role in reducing crime and tackling anti-social behaviour. The PCC in Thames Valley is one of the few in the country who continues to fund these partnerships to ensure their work remains effective in our communities.
At the latest of these regular forums, which provide an opportunity to share experience from communities across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, we were joined by representatives from the Home Office for discussions about tackling county lines gangs.
Boris visits Thames Valley
Boris Johnson has visited the Thames Valley Police Training facilities in Sulhamstead, Reading.
The visit was arranged by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley on the request of Mr Johnson who visited the site for a briefing on policing.
Anthony Stansfeld Police and Crime Commissioner said “I was delighted to host a visit from Boris Johnson. The visit provided a good opportunity for myself and other PCCs to brief one of the two prime ministerial candidates on the various issues facing policing today, the concerns of the public, as well as demonstrate the great work our officers do.
“Thames Valley Police, as do other forces, continue to face increasing demand and financial pressures and I was pleased that during the visit Mr Johnson made a commitment to policing; promising to make a much needed substantial investment should he become the next Prime Minister.”
