Read my latest news and views…
The Crime and Policing Act: The good, the bad and the missed opportunities.
Of course any Government will trumpet their legislation as universally successful, and there are many good measures included, but I want to present a balanced analysis that also recognises the flaws, some of which are instructive about our politics more broadly.
Update on East Hagbourne Post Office campaign
Thanks to the efforts of everyone who backed the local campaign to save East Hagbourne Post Office - there is hope - but the fight isn’t over yet.
I wrote to the Post Office Minister back in March to raise the impact of the decision not to recruit a new sub-postmaster. I have received confirmation from the Minister that there is some movement, but not a viable solution yet.
PCC condemns Home Office cuts to organised crime units
The Home Secretary has been accused of failing in her duty to support the fight against organised crime in the UK. Despite tough rhetoric the Government is cutting support for police officers on the ground whilst spending nearly one hundred million pounds on their top-down police reform programme.
Dragon legend in modern dress
In praise of England: Mr Churchill’s St George’s Day Banquet Speech 1933
Specialist support for victims of stalking extended
First commissioned by Matthew Barber, in March 2023 the Thames Valley Stalking Service has been extended for a further two years.
Increasing police powers to issue closure notices
I have long been working on a change in the law to increase police powers to issue closure notices. Closure notices are an important tool in disrupting criminal activity on our high streets, but current powers do not go far enough.