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.
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.
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“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.”
Edward Reed will stand before retired detective chief constable Paul Mills during the panel hearing at Thames Valley Police Headquarters in Kidlington next month.
From Wednesday, July 15, he will defend allegations from various dates in 2023 about the “unwanted” use of sexualised language and behaviour toward and in the presence of female colleagues.
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During that time, Mr Reed was an officer based in Oxfordshire, prior to his resignation.
It is alleged that Former Police Constable Reed breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in relation to Authority, Respect and Courtesy, Equality and Diversity and Discreditable Conduct.
The appropriate authority allege that if these allegations are proven, the conduct would amount to gross misconduct for which dismissal would be justified.
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