Policing the Royal Wedding
The Royal Wedding has been one of the largest policing operations that Thames Valley Police has undertaken.
We are pleased to say that together with our partners, we have delivered a safe and happy event for all.
Months of hard work went into planning the Royal Wedding, which saw more than 100,000 people head to Windsor to take part in the celebrations.
It was a remarkable day and it was a great honour and privilege for us to police such a historic occasion on the world stage.
Thousands of our officers worked tirelessly to make sure it was a day of celebration for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, their guests and visitors to the Royal Borough, whilst continuing to serve communities across the Thames Valley area.
We would like to thank the public for their support, it was a pleasure to share the day with you.
Read more about the event and some of the planning that went into it here...
Winners of the Community Policing Awards 2018
Thames Valley Police is delighted to announce the winners of the Community Policing Awards 2018 after the awards ceremony hosted at Eynsham Hall in Oxfordshire.
The awards, now in their 17th year, recognise the exceptional efforts of Thames Valley Police’s neighbourhood policing teams, including Police Officers, Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), Special Constables and volunteers, for the positive impact they have on the local community they serve.
After receiving nearly 400 nominations, the highest number in Community Policing Awards history, the nominations were sifted and then reviewed by a judging panel chaired by Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Ross.
Matthew Barber, Deputy Police & Crime Commissioner, said, "Thames Valley Police is full of some incredible people, officers, staff and volunteers. It is great to be able to pay tribute to some of those who have made such fantastic contributions to their communities".
Click here to find out who won...
Operation Stronghold UPDATE - Thames Valley Police tackling drugs gangs
Operation Stronghold is the ongoing campaign by Thames Valley Police to tackle serious organised crime across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. Much of this work is focussed on disrupting the drugs trade which is linked to so many other crimes.
I regularly update on progress with Op Stronghold and again there are a number of successes to report on.
Last month over 100 officers carried out searches at a number of addresses, eight in Banbury, one in Milton Keynes and one in Bedford. Officers arrested 16 people on offences such as being concerned in the supply of Crack Cocaine and Heroin, or supply of Heroin and Cocaine.
During this ongoing operation officers have so far found and seized £10,000 in cash, around 700 wraps of class A drugs, one stun gun, several stolen items and several knives. A number of vulnerable adults and children were also safeguarded.
Separately a 22 year old man has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine at Milton Keynes Magistrates Court. He appeared in court the day after officers executed a warrant at an address in Juniper Gardens, Milton Keynes the day before.
A large amount of cash and class A drugs were seized as well as several mobile phones. The street value of the drugs was estimated at being worth £5000.
These are just two examples of the excellent work being done to protect communities from organised crime which has seen nearly 900 arrests made so far and over 900 years worth of prison sentences handed out.
Government consultation on unauthorised encampments
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is running a consultation on the powers to deal with unauthorised encampments.
Traveller camps are a regular cause for concern by residents across the Thames Valley and there is much confusion about the powers that the police have to tackle them.
Often it is landowners or local authorities that need to take action rather than the police and processes vary between areas.
As well as trying to establish a more consistent approach between councils and the police in all three counties of the Thames Valley, this consultation provides and opportunity to put forward the case for amending the law around such encampments.
I would welcome views from anyone who has thoughts on the subject by the end of May, please simply reply to this email with any comments.
The consultation closes on 15th June and more details can be found by visiting the MHCLG website...
