Agenda item
Presentation from Thames Valley Police
Purpose:
To receive a presentation from representatives of Thames Valley Police and to answer questions from the Committee.
Recommendation:
That the Committee notes the presentation, asks questions and provides comment where needed.
Minutes:
Members received a presentation from Thames Valley Policy regarding Stronger Policing and an update on Organised Crime and County Lines.
The following officers joined the meeting virtually: Chief Constable - John Campbell, Superintendent (LPA Commander for Cherwell and West Oxfordshire) - Emma Garside, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Matthew Barber and Staff Officer - Rebecca Neupert.
At previous meetings of the Committee, Members had compiled a list of questions that they required responses to and these had been circulated to Thames Valley Police in advance. The questions included: issues arising from the pandemic and their ongoing effects such as hate crime and domestic abuse; the reduction in PCSO’s particularly in West Oxfordshire; enforcing of 20 mile an hour speed limit in villages particularly in West Oxfordshire; an update on County lines and the statistics regarding growing drug use and it’s % increase and a breakdown of crime figures into a league table.
Both the PCC and TVP delivered in depth presentations providing an update of the work carried out this year, the challenges faced and future work streams. The topics covered included fraud and cyber-crime, digital investigations, digital forensics, the fast-tracking of domestic violence issues, youth offending, prison leavers and illegal encampments.
The officers responded to questions from the Committee and provided clarification on what constituted an illegal encampment.
The Community Safety Partnerships were also discussed along with how they were funded. The prevention of anti-social behaviour, an increase in CCTV provision and tackling fly-tipping was also discussed.
Members noted that a recent recruitment drive had seen a significant increase in the number of police officers, with a focus on specials and PCSO’s.
Superintendent Garside, addressed the meeting and spoke about rural crime, partnership priorities, the work being undertaken to raise awareness of domestic violence within communities along with the educational work within schools. She also referred to the two county drug lines within West Oxfordshire and the joint work being undertaken with Gloucestershire and Wiltshire to tackle these.
In relation to the questions relating to a 20mph speed limit in areas, Members noted that this was for the local authority to decide and it could be enforced, with speed watch vans available to support this. However, the importance of other measures such as traffic calming methods was highlighted.
The Chair thanked the officers from TVP and the PCC for attending the meeting, especially as some were abroad on leave but had still made time to join the Committee to deliver their presentation.
Following the presentation, Members raised a number of queries including reported incidents of human trafficking, the number of PCSO’s on the streets, how Speedwatch was being supported and whether there had been an increase in the use of police helicopters in the area.
It was also noted that in relation to rural domestic violence, no information had been cascaded to the parish councils. Officers agreed to speak to the Community Safety Team as to how this could be improved.
Having received the presentation, the Committee thanked the officers again for their attendance and noted the update.
Resolved that the update be noted.