Minutes:
Sara Thornton, CBE QPM, Chief Constable, Thames Valley Police (TVP) outlined a presentation on the strategy for policing in Thames Valley. Superintendent Richard Humphrey, TVP also contributed to the presentation. Ms Thornton advised that a zero based budget approach had been adopted and there had been collaborative working with other authorities. It was anticipated that a layer of staffing would be removed and the local policing model would have a resulting streamlined process. The Committee noted the percentage changes on serious acquisitive crime and violence against the person. Ms Thornton advised that the top priority for the force was to reduce crime, robbery and antisocial behaviour and increase police presence. Ms Thornton advised that the highest priority for neighbourhoods in Slough was antisocial behaviour with problems relating to drugs in second position.
The Committee noted the detail of the Medium Term Financial Forecast for Thames Valley Police and government funding for 2010/11 was £270,145m for the year 2010/11 reducing to £238,416m for the year 2014/15 presenting a reduction of 11.75% during this period. The cumulative shortfall in the budget for the year 2011/12 was £15.595m rising to £52.671m in the year 2014/15.
Ms Thornton advised that visible frontline policing would be protected and there would be targeted reductions for all other functions based on VFM profiles, risk and need. The TVP strategy for 2011-14 included the need to cut crimes that were of most concern to the community to increase the visible presence of the police, and to protect communities from the most serious harm. It was also necessary to improve communication with the public so that confidence and trust in communities could be built and to tackle bureaucracy and develop the professional skills of all staff. At the same time there was a need to reduce costs whilst protecting the frontline.
In the ensuing debate Ms Thornton responded to a number of questions which had been circulated in advance of the meeting (attached as annex to minutes).
Members raised a number of additional comments/ questions including the concern that there was not always a clearly visible police presence within local communities. Ms Thornton acknowledged the importance of this but highlighted that whilst it was appropriate to have police officers patrolling the the town centre on foot, it was not cost effective to have police patrolling in other much larger areas. A member felt that PCSOs were highly valued in the community and asked whether their limited powers could be enhanced. Ms Thornton advised that the government was in the process of making some minor amendments to the powers that PCSOs had but they would not be allowed to move traffic or be involved in a process that could results in points being added to a driving licence. Ms Thornton was happy to further review the discretionary powers that were available to TVP and the Committee was welcomed to put forward suggestions regarding the use of PCSOs.
In response to a concern about Neighbourhood Action Groups (NAGs), Ms Thornton advised that there had been a problem with the rationale of some groups and in some areas there had been very poor attendance by members of the public necessitating the cancellation of meetings. There had also been a view in some rural areas that the work of NAGs was often duplicated by Parish Councils. Mr Humphrey advised that there were no plans to move away from supporting NAGs but there was a plan to streamline some groups which were poorly attended and it would be necessary to look at resources to tackle joint priorities.
A member commented that there had been more activity in drug crime in the last 5 years and asked how this would be tackled. Ms Thornton advised that many burglaries and crimes were driven by the drug habits of users and cited the example of a large operation which had taken place recently in Oxford recently involving the surveillance of drug suppliers. Many arrests had taken place and criminals would be continue to be targeted in similar operations.
Some members were concerned that the loss of back room staff would affect the provision of an adequate policing service. Ms Thornton advised that there was no option to retain back office services due to 25% cuts in budgets. It was clear that times were hard financially and the priority was to reduce crime but it was clear that there was no more funding available. Ms Thornton discussed the availability of the East Berkshire special payment and advised that it was likely this would not be continued.
Several Committee members were concerned at the number of school age children who appeared not to be in school and walking the streets. It was suggested that the majority of these children were attending referral units for a number of hours each day and strictly speaking were therefore not missing from school. Superintendent Humphrey advised that the police worked closely with Heads of Schools to minimise truancy problems and asked members to contact him if they had any specific issues within their wards.
The Committee thanked Ms Thornton and Superintendent Humphrey for their presentation.
Resolved –
(a) That the Committee thank Sara Thornton, Chief Constable, TVP, and her colleague Supt Richard Humphrey for their attendance and comprehensive responses to the questions submitted.
(b) That the Committee notes the challenges that the Force faces in the coming years and its priorities.
(c) That the Committee places on record its views that the visibility of Police Officers is maintained and that the discretionary powers of PCO’s be enhanced where possible.
(d) The Committee recommends that TVP continue to support the work of Neighbourhood Action Groups in Slough.
(e) That the position regarding the continued threat of terrorism in Slough be noted.