Agenda

To agree the Minutes of the meeting held on 26 January 2024.

Anyone who works or lives in the Thames Valley can ask a question at meetings of the Police and Crime Panel, at which a 20 minute session will be designated for hearing from the public.

If you’d like to participate, please read the Public Question Time Scheme and submit your questions by email to khalid.ahmed@buckinghamshire.gov.uk at least three working days in advance of the meeting.

11.00am

The Panel is asked to consider the final report of the Violence against Women and Girls Task and Finish Group who carried out a review into the PCC’s strategy on the measures Thames Valley Police are putting in place to prevent Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG). Evidence was also received from other organisations who provided support to victims of VAWG.

11.20am

To consider a report of the Head of Victims Services of the Office of the PCC updating the Panel on the commissioning of three new services to replace the current victim services.

11.40am

To receive a report from the PCC updating the Panel on details of the Partnerships Fund (formally known as the Community Safety Fund).

11.55am

To be provide with a report of the PCC which updates the Panel on the Force Review progress in the Crime & Criminal Justice command. This had been previously requested at a previous Panel meeting.

12.10pm

To be presented with a report of the PCC on the Rural Crime Task Force (RCTF) which has achieved significant success throughout the past year, surpassing initial expectations by uncovering links to serious organised crime networks.

Collaborative efforts with international partners, including the FBI, have highlighted the extent of criminal activities transcending continents.

While the RCTF operates across the Thames Valley region, patrols have primarily concentrated on rural areas such as Cherwell, West Oxfordshire, South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse, West Berkshire, Milton Keynes, and Aylesbury.

12.25pm

This report is an update on the work of RESTART Thames Valley.

An initial report was provided to the Police and Crime Panel in March 2023 focusing on a year-long pilot programme that started in May 2022 and which focused on supporting people leaving prison, including women and those on short-term sentences. This update focuses on developments since then notably an extension to the original pilot, changes to funding  and the revised programme focus on delivering a service primarily to male prison leavers leaving HMP Bullingdon.

12.40pm

To consider a report on Operation Deter (Op Deter) which continues to make significant strides in addressing knife crime within the Thames Valley area through its comprehensive approach. The initiative employs a dual strategy, focusing on robust enforcement measures for adults and proactive intervention for young offenders in collaboration with the Youth Offending Team Act Now programme.

12.50pm

This report provides an overview of the Professional and Ethical Standards Panel's (PESP) activities and findings in 2023.

It covers monitoring complaints handling, reviewing ethical standards, and providing recommendations within Thames Valley Police (TVP).

12.55pm

To receive and ask questions on the topical issues report which provides media coverage of policing and crime news. Also, to receive updates from the PCC and the Chair of the Panel, if required.  

1.00pm

For Panel Members to put forward items for the Work Programme including ideas for themed meetings.