The crime tsar that costs the average Berkshire household around £269 a year has set out his new plans to hold Thames Valley Police to account.

Police and crime commissioner Matthew Barber has shared his ambitious goals to tackle anti-social behaviour and violence against women, take on shoplifting and driving down serious violence and burglaries across the region. 

Mr Barber said: “As Police and Crime Commissioner, it is my job to be the voice of the public in policing and to ensure that the policing needs of local communities are met.
“I am proud of the work that has been achieved since I was first elected as Police and Crime Commissioner in 2021 but there is more to be done. This new plan builds upon the commitments I made during the recent PCC elections and reflects the priorities of residents across the Thames Valley.

“From expanding neighbourhood policing to tackling anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls, creating a hostile environment for those who commit crimes in our rural communities and retail spaces and continuing to drive down incidents of serious violence and residential burglary, this plan will provide the framework for making every community across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Milton Keynes safer.

He continued: “I will now hold the Chief Constable to account on the delivery of this plan, turning commitments into action and ensuring common sense policing that is proactive in fighting crime, delivers safer streets and builds public trust and confidence.”

Jason Hogg, chief constable of Thames Valley Police, said he was pleased support the plan, which "provides a clear vision to protecting everyone across the Thames Valley".

The chief constable said: “My officers and staff are committed to reducing anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls in all forms, as well as building trust and confidence back into policing. This plan closely aligns to the work my teams are doing across the force to help us achieve these objectives and many more.

“I welcome the opportunities this presents to continue the great work already taking place with our partner agencies and the public to ensure the Thames Valley is an excellent police force trusted by all who live, visit and work here.”

Police and crime commissioners are required by law to publish a police and crime plan. It is a localised document that sets out an agenda for tackling crime locally.

The police and crime commissioner role was launched under the Conservative government in 2012 to replace police authorities. 

They are funded by the taxpayer through council tax, costing the average band D Buckinghamshire household £269.28 a year.

The positions, which are political, were created to hold local constabularies such as Thames Valley Police to greater account.

However there have been calls from political parties, such as the Lib Dems, to scrap the schemes altogether.

A Freedom of Information request found that PCCS have cost the taxpayer £102.2 million since 2019. This includes office costs, staff and expenses. 

Speaking earlier this year, the Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said the Government should scrap “pencil pushing commissioners” amid falling community officer numbers.

Since 2019, England and Wales has lost 1,284 community police officers, despite tens of millions blown on PCCs.