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Protecting women in the night time economy - Project Vigilant
Matthew Barber Matthew Barber

Protecting women in the night time economy - Project Vigilant

Thames Valley Police has been leading the way in protecting women from predatory men in the night time economy. Project Vigilant began prior to the pandemic and with the re-opening of the night-time economy in July the operation has been expanded and is now operating in Oxford, Reading, Milton Keynes and Windsor.

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Thames Valley Police target serious violence with hotspot policing approach
Matthew Barber Matthew Barber

Thames Valley Police target serious violence with hotspot policing approach

Over the next six months Thames Valley Police will be targeting hotspots across the force area to tackle knife crime and serious violence, with neighbourhood officers supported by additional specialist officers.

The force is also the first in the country to trial a new mobile phone app to target the patrolling of specialist officers to identified violence hotspots.

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Launch of Community Speedwatch scheme across Thames Valley
Matthew Barber Matthew Barber

Launch of Community Speedwatch scheme across Thames Valley

Following the success of a pilot scheme earlier this year, a Community Speedwatch scheme has launched across Thames Valley this week. The pilot, which ran in small areas of Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, was so successful the whole of Thames Valley can now take part with the hope of reducing speeding in our communities.

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Nearly a million pounds secured for Safer Streets in the Thames Valley
Matthew Barber Matthew Barber

Nearly a million pounds secured for Safer Streets in the Thames Valley

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley has secured nearly a million pounds to make streets safer and to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG).

The Government has announced £23.5m for police and local authorities to make streets safer, and the Thames Valley has been successful in two bids to claim a portion of the pot.

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Confidence in policing following Sarah Everard's murder
Matthew Barber Matthew Barber

Confidence in policing following Sarah Everard's murder

The rape and murder of Sarah Everard - an entirely innocent young woman who was simply walking home at night - would rightly have been appalling in any circumstances. The fact that Wayne Couzens was a serving police officer makes his evil crime even more shocking, further compounded by the fact that he used his trusted position as a constable to perpetrate these vile acts.

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