Oxford News
Thames Valley PCC attacks government police reform plans
Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber recently published a detailed response to the Government’s Police Reform White Paper, outlining major concerns about the proposed changes.
In a letter to the Home Secretary, Mr Barber warned that the reforms represent the ‘most significant overhaul of policing in generations’ and risk creating a policing system that is ‘more distant from their communities and less accountable’.
He said: “It is not necessarily the size of forces that is the problem, but the funding formula that penalises them.
“The first stage of any review should be to look at how local policing is funded, not reviewing the geographical boundaries.”
A central concern is the plan to reorganise the long-standing 43-force structure in England and Wales.
Mr Barber argued that the real issue lies with police funding, not force size.
He cautioned that structural changes could result in ‘years of chaos, costing millions of pounds without bringing real benefit’.
Almost any merger involving Thames Valley, he said, would likely result in higher council tax costs and a ‘lower level of service which is more removed from their community’.
Another major worry is the increasing centralisation of police oversight.
Under the proposals, the Home Office would gain expanded powers with more strategic oversight and strengthened powers to intervene in the performance and standards of police forces.
Mr Barber said: “These changes risk concentrating power in Whitehall; eroding the operational independence that underpins public trust in policing, as well as local governance and police accountability to the communities they serve.”
He also criticised plans to introduce a licence to practise for officers, describing it as ‘an unnecessary, bureaucratic burden’ that could reduce frontline capacity.
Taken together, he warned the reforms could lead to fewer visible officers, less responsive policing, and higher levels of neighbourhood crime.
He said: “Of course, policing must continue to modernise.
“If reform is to take place, however, it must be about strengthening policing—not weakening it.
“I am extremely concerned that these proposals will lead to fewer resources and poorer performance whilst fundamentally damaging the nature of policing in our country but there is still time to change course in the interests of keeping the public safe.”
Mr Barber has launched a public consultation to gather views from residents on the proposals.
He said: “The Government is not currently consulting the public on these large scale reforms.
“You have heard my views, and I want to ensure that you have the opportunity, in these early stages, to give your feedback.”
The consultation is available on the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner’s website.
What is the Paddy Power Sign Up offer?
Paddy Power’s welcome offer gives new users the chance to get £50 in free Bet Builders from a £10 stake.
Step-by-Step: How to Claim Your Free Bets
- Click through to the official Paddy Power sign-up page.
- Fill out your details (name, date of birth, and home address).
- Deposit at least £10 using a UK debit card or Apple Pay (avoid e-wallets like PayPal for your first deposit).
- Place a £10 cash bet on any World Cup market at odds of 1/2 (1.50) or greater.
- Once your qualifying bet settles, Paddy Power will automatically credit your account with your 5 x £10 free bet builder tokens.
Paddy Power welcome offer review
Every betting offer has its trade-offs. Here is a realistic look at where Paddy Power wins and where they fall a bit short.
Pros
- Expiry Window: Having 90 days to use your free bets means you are never rushed into making selections.
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Cons
- Locked to Bet Builders: You cannot use the £50 bonus on standard single bets or traditional accumulators; the tokens are restricted entirely to Bet Builder markets.
- Slightly Lower Baseline Odds: While their promotional price boosts are excellent, Paddy Power’s standard match odds can sometimes carry a slightly higher edge.
Paddy Power Free Bet Offer Terms and Conditions
New Customer offer.
- Place a min £10 bet on Football on odds of min 1.5 (1/2), get £50 in Free Bet Builders after the qualifying bet has been settled.
- Rewards valid for 90 days.
- Only deposits via Pay by Bank, cards & Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly. #ad
Value comparison vs UK bookmakers
Here is how Paddy Power stacks up against other major UK betting brands for the tournament:
World Cup betting tips: How to use your bonus
Because your £50 bonus comes split as five £10 free bets, you have plenty of room to experiment.
The smartest strategy is to spread your free bets across different matchdays rather than blowing them all on a single evening.
Since they are restricted to Bet Builders, the temptation is to build big, multi-selection bets. However, with several opportunities to try and get it right, it could be worth building a few safe, low-risk 3-leg combinations (such as Team to Win + Over 1.5 Goals + A specific player to commit a foul).
Taking England’s opener against Croatia on Thursday as an example, the Three Lions head into the game off the back of a convincing 3-0 win over Costa Rica. With attacking combinations clicking to great effect, it could well propel them into a strong start in Dallas.
Our England vs Croatia Bet Builder:
Harry Kane to Score First
Existing customer promotions on Paddy Power
Super Sub: Automatic Prop Protection
If you love betting on player stats like “Player to be Carded” or “Anytime Goalscorer,” Paddy Power has a massive safety net called Super Sub. If the player you backed gets subbed off early due to an injury or a tactical change, your bet doesn’t die.
Instead, the bet automatically transfers over to the incoming substitute for the rest of the match. If the sub scores, gets carded, or registers the shots you needed, your bet slip still wins.
Beat the Drop: Free Daily Quiz
Beat the Drop is one of Paddy Power’s most popular games, and it is completely free to play every day during the tournament.
You start the game with a pool of cash and are faced with a series of simple yes/no questions about upcoming World Cup matches (for example: “Will there be over 2.5 goals in the England vs Croatia match?”).
You can choose to risk all your money on one answer or split it to play it safe. Whatever cash you have left after answering all the questions is yours to keep as real money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash out a bet funded by a free bet token?
No, Paddy Power disables the cash-out tool for any bet slip placed using promotional free bets. Your wager must run its full course to the final whistle.
Why do live markets suddenly freeze during matches?
Whenever there is a major event—like a penalty, a red card, or a lengthy VAR review—the automated trading system temporarily locks all in-play betting to let the bookmaker adjust the live odds.
What happens to my winnings from the free bets?
Any winnings are paid out immediately as withdrawable cash, minus the original free bet stake. There are no additional wagering hurdles or clearing requirements.
18+ New UK Customers Only. Terms and Conditions apply. Please gamble responsibly. For help and advice, contact the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit BeGambleAware.org.
Officers have attended the site which was formed over the weekend off Tamar Way in Didcot.
Thames Valley Police said the officers “engaged” with the travellers who were present, understood to not be a big encampment.
READ MORE: Rubbish dumped across street after bin lorry caught fire
A spokeswoman for the force said: “At this time, no action has been planned in relation to the encampment. We were made aware, attended the scene and engaged.”
This is the second known traveller encampment this week, with another having spent the early part of this week at Oatlands Road recreation ground off Botley Road, Oxford.
The group of about 15 caravans have since left the unauthorised site – albeit with litter and tyre tracks left on the field.
The binmen were doing their rounds in Sandy Lane, Blackbird Leys on Wednesday morning, June 17, when flames came from the back.
At this stage, it’s not clear what was in the lorry to cause the fire, but the most common cause of bin lorry fires is from batteries and vapes thrown into regular household bins.
A spokesman from ODS said: “This morning, one of our recycling vehicles experienced a fire in Blackbird Leys after an item was incorrectly placed in the recycling bin.
READ MORE: Oxford pubs to close early with some ‘bracing for unrest’
“Following advice from the fire brigade, the crew emptied the waste to prevent the fire from spreading.
“We’re pleased to confirm that no crew members were injured.
“Our highways team has now finished clearing the ejected waste, and our streets team is carrying out a litter pick and sweep to ensure the area is left clean and safe.
“At this stage, we are hopeful that collections in the Blackbird Leys ward will not be affected, as the team is working to adjust rounds so services can continue as normal.
“A big thank you to the crew and the Fire Brigade for their quick and professional response.
“Incidents like this highlight the importance of disposing of waste correctly to keep everyone safe.”
Oxfordshire County Council has been approached for further details from the fire service.
Ward councillor Linda Smith said: “I’m very relieved to hear no one was hurt.
“I don’t have any information as of yet about what caused the fire – but please do not place electrical items, vapes or batteries in your bin.”
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