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Chief Constable's update

Welcome to the Chief Constable's Update.

You can find out here a bit about what I have been doing recently, and contact me by email if you would like to make a brief comment or suggestion to improve our police force. Use the links on the left to find out more about Thames Valley Police or to find out about local policing in your area.

January 2012

At the beginning of a New Year, I thought it would be appropriate to reflect on some of our achievements from 2011 and consider some of the challenges we now face during a busy 2012.

For me, 2011 started with the announcement that I was to be made a CBE in the New Year’s Honours, and ended with the news that my colleague, Deputy Chief Constable Francis Habgood was to be recognised in the 2012 New Year’s Honours with a Queen’s Police Medal. These awards are recognition of not only our individual service to policing, but of the role that all our colleagues play in protecting and serving the communities of Thames Valley. I have myself given 41 Chief Constable’s Commendations this year to officers, staff and members of the public, who have been recognised when they have gone beyond what might be expected, whether it be about catching dangerous criminals or saving lives.

It is due to such hard work and commitment that, over the course of 2011, crime has continued to fall, criminals have been arrested and many successful operations have been undertaken.  Thankfully, serious and violent crimes are infrequent occurrences and we never completely stop investigating unsolved murders. Last year, following painstaking investigative work, we became one of the first forces to successfully use the ‘double jeopardy’ legislation, securing the conviction of Mark Weston for the murder of Vicki Thompson in Ascott-Under-Wychwood nearly 20 years ago.

Many of the events in Thames Valley are predictable, for example, Royal Ascot, Henley Royal Regatta and Reading Festival. All of these events passed off well in 2011, and I was particularly encouraged by the positive feedback received from local people, the local media and Councillors. However, in August we had the unexpected riots in London and the very real risk that it would spread into the Thames Valley. There were some isolated outbreaks of disorder in Thames Valley to which we responded quickly and robustly. The whole Force worked together with special constables, volunteers, police staff and officers working long hours, giving up time off with their families, and we were also able to send riot-trained officers to help out in London.

For the rest of this year and beyond, we face a reduced budget but I am determined that we will try to ensure that we save money through cutting management and support costs rather than the service to the public. For example, we have already seen the successful merge of our ICT department and other specialist operational units (e.g. firearms units, roads policing, operational planning and dog section) with Hampshire Constabulary.

This year also sees the introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners and, of course, the London Olympics - part of which will be held in the Thames Valley at Dorney Lake near Windsor where rowing and canoe sprint events will take place. We are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of all involved at this major event, as well as the many other events that will take place throughout 2012.

Sara Thornton
Chief Constable