PCC report highlights continued progress in making communities safer
Matthew Barber, Police & Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, has published his latest Annual Report highlighting progress made against his Police and Crime Plan
The report demonstrates how continued investment in neighbourhood policing, support for victims, and targeted action on priority crime areas is helping to reduce harm and build safer communities across the Thames Valley.
Key updates over the last 12 months include:
6.2% reduction in neighbourhood crime
800 young people received interventions through Op Deter Youth
Overall vehicle theft offences have reduced by 9% with theft from vehicle offences falling by 17%
Further 12% reduction in knife crime
9% reduction in shoplifting offences with over 900 new sign-ups to DISC (retail crime reporting platform)
Year-on-year reduction in rural crime by 34%
Over 350 active Community Speedwatch schemes have observed and recorded over 146,000 speeding vehicles since 2020
95.4% of 999 calls answered within 10 seconds, up from 92.6% last year
The introduction of a Crime Education Hub, the establishment of the Thames Valley Road Victim Support Service, and the publication of the PCC’s Vehicle Crime Strategy are central to this progress. In addition, a recent refresh of the Data Hub has reinforced the OPCC’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
Matthew Barber said: “I am really pleased with the progress made over the last 12 months in delivering against my Police and Crime Plan priorities.
“The national Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee has been fully delivered across Thames Valley, with named, contactable officers now in place in every neighbourhood. Neighbourhood crime has fallen by over 6%, our Crime Education Strategy is being delivered in schools, and the Thames Valley Road Safety Partnership is now firmly established.
“As we move into the third year of my Police and Crime Plan, I remain committed to the priorities that guide this work and to the communities across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Milton Keynes that I am privileged to serve.
“Whatever the national picture brings, my focus remains constant – keeping communities across the Thames Valley safe.”
Neighbourhood policing continues to be a key element of the plan. In Thames Valley, neighbourhood crime has fallen by 6.2%, and 68 additional neighbourhood police officers have been recruited to patrol the streets this year.
Reducing Serious Violence and Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour
During 2025/26, we delivered a range of violence prevention initiatives through the Violence Prevention Partnership (VPP), including the highly successful Op Deter Youth programme. This programme ensures that young people arrested for knife-related offences receive rapid, targeted support, and is now being adopted nationally as a model for early intervention. Over the past 12 months, it has supported over 800 local children and young people, helping divert them away from further offending and preventing the escalation of violence in our communities.
Reports of anti-social behaviour (ASB) have risen from 7,232 to 9,565 over the past 12 months. This increase reflects a more proactive approach to recording incidents and better capturing demand, alongside the impact of targeted enforcement and stronger partnership reporting. At the same time, our mediation service – delivered by Alternatives to Conflict – continues to provide strong value and positive outcomes. There were 378 referrals over the last year, highlighting growing recognition of mediation as an effective early intervention option alongside ongoing engagement from police officers and partner organisations.
Targeting Vehicle Crime and Strengthening Support for Victims
We strengthened our response to vehicle crime by launching a clear, five-pillar strategy focused on prevention, collaboration, intelligence, enforcement, and building public trust. This approach is already making an impact. Vehicle crime has fallen by 9%, with theft from vehicles dropping by 17% – an encouraging sign as the strategy takes hold. Key activity included a high-reaching public awareness campaign alongside six tool-marking events for traders delivered with partners, helping protect valuable equipment and seeing 146 tool marking kits registered.
Protecting victims of domestic abuse and ensuring they get the right support at the right time remains a top priority. These crimes have a profound impact on victims and families and represent a significant part of police demand. In 2025/26, positive outcomes increased by 2%, showing our continued focus on holding offenders to account.
We have also seen 848 positive outcomes achieved for rape and sexual offences – which is up significantly on the previous year – with a charge rate of 10.6% while our Thames Valley Sexual Violence Service also provides vital, trauma-informed support, helping 803 victims over the past year – highlighting the ongoing need for specialist support.
Aurora New Dawn delivered the Thames Valley Stalking Advocacy Service in 2025/26, supporting more than 270 victims. In Quarter 4, 90% of victims reported feeling safer because of the support received, while 77% experiencing a reduction in their professionally assessed level of risk.
