Read my latest news and views…
Plans to improve CCTV across Oxfordshire now agreed
Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, has confirmed that all Oxfordshire councils are now signed up to join the Thames Valley CCTV Partnership. This comes after the PCC voiced concerns at the end of last year that delayed engagement may threaten the viability of the programme.
Home Office is underfunding neighbourhood police officers
Just days before the budget is set for Thames Valley Police, the Home Office has dropped another bombshell.
Not only did the funding announcement in December leave the Force £9m worse of that we expected based on the Government’s own numbers, the latest news looks set to cost a further £2m each year due to underfunding from the Home Office.
Will the demise of Police & Crime Commissioners save money?
The Home Office has announced the abolition of Police & Crime Commissioners, describing the role as “a failed experiment” and claiming massive savings.
In reality it is a thinly veiled move in the direction of centralisation and a loss of operational independence.
Government announces PCCs to be abolished
Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber, responds to the announcement of the abolition of Police and Crime Commissioners.