Force Open Day THIS SATURDAY!
Every summer, Thames Valley Police opens its doors to the public for its force Open Day.
Our force Open Day helps to promote greater understanding of the work of our various departments and specialist teams here at Thames Valley Police.
This free annual event is hosted at our Training Centre at Sulhamstead House, in Sulhamstead, near Reading (postcode RG7 4DX).
In 2017 a record-breaking 8,000 visitors attended. This year's force Open Day will be Saturday 18 August from 10am to 4pm.
Entry is FREE and visitors will be see demonstrations from the police dogs unit along with the mounted section and an opportunity to find about forensics. Great fund for all the family guaranteed include a chance to see the National Police Air Service helicopter and support a number of police charities.
A new tool to help find missing people with dementia
A new tool to help find missing people with dementia is being used by Thames Valley Police in partnership with search and rescue teams of Thames Valley.
The Herbert Protocol is a form to record key information about a person with dementia. This should be completed by carers or family members in case they go missing.
Memory problems are one of a number of symptoms that people with dementia may experience, this can lead to feelings of confusion, fear and vulnerability and consequently can result in a person going missing.
The Herbert Protocol was adopted in January and it is helping to ensure that the police and partner agencies, including the volunteer search and rescue teams, have the best possible information should someone with dementia go missing and a search needs to be conducted to find them.
It helps avoid any unnecessary delays as the right information is immediately available. This may include if the person is on medication, favourite places they like to visit or key people they know.
Matthew Barber, Deputy Police & Crime Commissioner, said: “The Herbert Protocol seeks to protect those suffering from dementia by ensuring that if they go missing the key information needed by the emergency services and volunteer search and rescue reams is readily available. I would urge families, carers, and care home staff, to adopt the protocol by completing the Herbert Protocol form in advance.”
Find out more about the Protocol and download the forms by following the link below to Thames Valley Police's website.
Download the form and find out more information about the Herbert Protocol.
New Rural Crime Reporting Line
The NFU in partnership with Crimestoppers has launched 'The Rural Crime Reporting Line' for farmers and the public to give information anonymously about rural crime. If you have any information about rural crime you can call 0800 783 0137 or by visit www.ruralcrimereportingline.uk
Rural crime is on the rise and it is a serious issue for farmers, businesses and those who live in the countryside.
Whether it is large-scale, industrial fly-tipping, hare coursing, livestock theft or machinery theft, rural crime has a devastating effect on farms and other rural businesses.
Those responsible for this blight on our countryside are suspected of having links to organised crime. It is vital that we bring them to justice.
That’s where you can help.
You can either call the dedicated Crimestoppers number on 0800 783 0137 or complete the online form to give information anonymously about one of these four crimes:
- Large-scale, industrial fly-tipping
- Hare coursing
- Livestock theft
- Machinery theft
The importance of neighbourhood policing
Back in June the Government updated CONTEST - it's strategy for countering terrorism in the UK. At the time I wrote about the importance of traditional neighbourhood policing in supporting any counter-terrorism programme.
Another attack in Westminster this month reminds us not just of the bravery of our front-line armed police officers but also of the importance of intelligence gathering and community policing.
In an age when the weapon of choice is a Ford Fiesta it is impossible, and frankly undesirable, to completely protect the public from all threats. Instead we need to be better at gathering intelligence and identifying individuals who may seek to harm us.
We must of course balance the need for information against the civil liberties of the majority, but as well as the new technologies and techniques used by counter-terrorism policing and the security services we must also rely on traditional policing.
Local neighbourhood officers are often the first to gather intelligence and the first to respond to incidents. The importance of strong neighbourhood teams and the need to link all areas of policing into the counter-terrorism strategy cannot be over-estimated.
My original article can be found here...
Click! Educating children about healthy relationships
Thousands of children in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire will learn from the performance of a special play highlighting what does and doesn’t constitute a healthy online relationships with people.
The 40-minute play is being staged across the Thames Valley thanks to a £51,000 grant provided by the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Pupils will go away from the play with a better understanding of:
- What constitutes a healthy relationship
- Pressure to conform with peer group online
- Risks when sharing inappropriate images online, including online sexual exploitation, cyber-bullying and other online abusive behaviour.
- The impact of online abusive behaviour with a view to developing empathy.
- Coercion and control within online relationships and strategies for managing this.
- Where to go for information and support.
Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, Matthew Barber said: “I am delighted that we were able to support this project which I believe is an important step in helping young people across the Thames Valley understand what is a healthy relationship and the risks that they may face online. This is a crucial area of work and I am pleased that we have been able to put in place this educational play across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.”
Man sentenced for nine years in prison for drugs offences
A man has been sentenced to a total of nine years’ imprisonment for drugs offences after Thames Valley Police officers found him in possession of cocaine with a street value of £1m.
Tom White, aged 30, of Swallowfields, Iver, was sentenced to a total of nine years’ imprisonment on Friday 10th August at Aylesbury Crown Court.
He pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to supply class A drugs at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 1 June.
Thames Valley Police officers stopped White at junction two of the M40, Beaconsfield, while he was driving a Ford Transit van. Officers searched the vehicle and found 10kg of cocaine hidden within it, which had an estimated street value of £1m.
Investigating officer, Detective Inspector Rachel Wheatman, of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: “White has received a substantial prison sentence for this offence, after he was found with a significant amount of class A drugs in his possession.
“The work of our officers prevented these drugs from reaching the streets, and has resulted in a drug dealer facing years in prison.
“Thames Valley Police is committed to tackling drug offenders and strives to prevent and disrupt their crimes as part of the ongoing Stronghold campaign to fight organised crime in partnership.”
