Read my latest news and views…
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.
Keeping phones out of the classroom
Mobile phones during the school day they distract pupils, disrupt classes, can lead to poor discipline and lower attainment.
Backing calls for fair police funding for rural areas
In Thames Valley we have one of the largest and arguably the best rural crime team in the country… but this could all be at jeopardy however, with continued pressures on police finances and the government’s threat to abolish local police forces.
Changing the law to tackle high street criminals
I have written before about the need to tackle criminal businesses that operation in plain sight on our high streets. There's no point complaining about these problems without having a plan to tackle it! That is why I have been calling for a change in the law to help the police to close down these businesses more swiftly and for longer.
Local Work on Youth Knife Crime to be Replicated Nationally
Operation Deter Youth is a pioneering programme that sees rapid intervention from Youth Justice Services for young people under the age of 18 arrested for knife-possession or knife-enabled offences in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Milton Keynes, spearheaded by Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber.
Now the Home Office has announced a new initiative that will see young people caught carrying knives given targeted support to steer them away from further offending.