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ITEM 14 (b)

POLICING THE HOW WE CUT CRIME AND PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY Contents 1. How we decide what to HOW DO YOU CUT CRIME AND INSPIRE TRUST AND 2. Organised to cut crime CONFIDENCE IN THE POLICING OF THAMES VALLEY? 3. Cutting crime and protecting Thames Valley communities: What steps do you take to make sure that your officers and staff are ready and able to respond, patrol, investigate — Neighbourhood policing THREE and prevent crime and disorder? — Response and resilience 2.2M — Crime investigation and intelligence And how do you make sure that your effort is as effective — Protecting people and communities in a city centre as a remote rural village; as considerate to COUNTIES — Strategic policing the concerns of a single-parent family as to those of an 700POPULATION elderly couple in sheltered housing? Despite overseeing a 13 per cent fall in levels of crime in Illustrations Thames Valley in 2011–12, safeguarding the lives of its SPECIAL — Protecting communities from crime 2.2 million people remains a challenging task for our 14 LOCAL — Policing Royal Ascot police officers and staff. — Investigating a major crime Over the following pages, we will describe how our team POLICE AREAS 2,200 sets about achieving it. We will illustrate the factors that influence our decision- SQUARE MILES making and the way we assess risk within our borders and beyond.

We will describe how our ability to cut crime depends upon a carefully balanced blend of policing styles and 2,744 the teamwork of talented professionals throughout 4,202 our organisation. We will explain how we have reshaped our organisation and adopted strategic partnerships that will reduce our costs by £55 million over the four-year period 2011–15 without compromising our focus upon policing more POLICE STAFF visibly, more locally. 196 And we will show how we forge partnerships locally, regionally and nationally to catch criminals, prevent crime OFFICERS MILES OF and protect vulnerable people in our community. In November 2012, the Thames Valley public will be invited to elect their first Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC). The PCC will be accountable to the public for setting MOTORWAY policing priorities and working with to implement them. 613 This document describes how we police Thames Valley. 507 VOLUNTEERS POLICE COMMUNITY SUPPORT OFFICERS SIX 263MILLION PCSOs NEIGHBOURHOODS ANNUAL VISITORS 3 DECIDING OUR OPERATIONAL • What are the operational policing The strategic intelligence assessment, HOW WE DECIDE WHAT TO POLICE requirements that will enable us to meanwhile, is used to identify patterns POLICING PRIORITIES address these risks? and trends in criminal behaviour which • What is the best way to organise our are likely to have a bearing on our As a police force, we know that the people and resources to meet our strategic policing priorities. We are able to deploy 4,202 police But following the Government’s and budget against which it is able to visible presence of patrol officers in our operational policing requirements? officers, 507 PCSOs and 700 special spending review in 2010, we face a assess our performance. This is cities, towns and villages is a source of Feeding into these strands of our constables to carry out policing activity period of austerity in which we must approved by TVPA who hold us to reassurance for all of us. We address these questions by strategic assessment are findings – with the support of 2,744 police staff reduce our annual spending by 20% account for its delivery. evaluating factors that are likely to gathered through independent market and more than 600 volunteers. in real terms – a total of £55 million And we know that our community influence policing requirements in research that is commissioned by in our annual running costs – by 2015. values the role that our neighbourhood Thames Valley in the future. In order Thames Valley Our officers are equipped with 22,500 FEWER VICTIMS officers and Police Community Support to do that, we draw together two and conducted with 1,753 residents operational assets including 326 Officers (PCSOs) can play in tackling We must achieve at least as much as OF CRIME IN 2011-12 THAN IN 2010-11 strands of strategic analysis: in Thames Valley – which offer insight marked police cars, 93 vans, 4 lorries, we do now, with less. anti-social behaviour, theft and into public sentiment about crime in 15 motorcycles, 7 4x4s, 9 police vandalism on our doorsteps. • a political, economic, social, Thames Valley and confidence in horses and 52 dogs. So we must have a means – a strategy From 15 November 2012, this technological, environmental, Thames Valley Police. – for deciding upon the best way to cut responsibility will pass to the new Police But, as a police force, we also know that legal and organisational As one of three forces which form the most crime, the best way to protect and Crime Commissioner (PCC) who is neighbourhoods are protected from the (PESTELO) analysis; Alongside this research survey, we the Chiltern Air Support Unit, we also our community from the most harm, chosen by the Thames Valley public. most serious harm by less visible but • a strategic intelligence assessment. also include findings from our own have the ability to deploy up to two and to do so in a way which inspires vital policing. half-yearly surveys conducted across helicopters to support our operations. public confidence in our policing. And In Thames Valley, we have a three-year From an operational policing our 263 neighbourhoods. to achieve this we must ensure that the strategy – agreed by TVPA in 2011 – to For instance, we invest in specialised perspective, the PESTELO enables financial, personnel and organisational achieve the following: support like forensics, intelligence us to consider the potential effects Finally, we bring together data that resources at our disposal are harnessed analysis or information technology in of external factors that may lead to helps us assess our operational and 8,600 FEWER VICTIMS 1. order to capture those who commit OF VIOLENT CRIME THAN IN 2010-11 in a way that achieves the best possible To cut crimes that are of most a heightened risk of criminal behaviour organisational performance. Drawing operational policing outcome for concern to the community; serious crimes like homicide or or disorder which, in 2012 for example, on , Her Majesty’s Thames Valley. 2. To increase the visible presence of robberies or serious sexual assaults. ranges from the potential for rising Inspectorate of (HMIC) With these resources at our disposal the police; levels of metal theft as its value on assessments and Thames Valley in 2011–12, we have been able to achieve 3. To protect our communities from the If we lack the appropriate blend of global markets rises, to the risks posed Police’s own annualised management significant falling levels of crime in PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY most serious harm; policing skills and resources to combat by the presence of an Olympic venue information, we are able to objectively Thames Valley: almost 24 per cent 4. To improve communications with the threat of regional or national in Thames Valley. assess our actual performance against fewer incidents of violence against the AND POLICING the public in order to build trust and terrorism or serious organised crime, the objectives set out in our existing person and a drop of 13 per cent in confidence within our communities; for example, the consequences for our Organisationally, we may consider delivery plan. burglaries and robberies. Our Force exists to serve the public 5. To tackle bureaucracy and develop community – and public confidence the ways in which innovation in mobile and is funded by taxpayers, so how we the professional skills of all staff; in our policing – may be serious. technology, for instance, could be both By pooling this data and insight, and Meanwhile, in 2012, detections of invest policing resources is decided 6. To reduce costs and protect a help and a hindrance. On the one refining our understanding of what violence with injury have risen to by a body that is representative of the the frontline. But deciding upon the skills and hand, it may be another way to enable it suggests, we then begin to set out almost 45 per cent and satisfaction Thames Valley public. resources we will need cannot only people to report non-emergency crimes; potential tactical steps we will take with Thames Valley Police’s service These are our strategic goals for be based on what we have learned on the other – as we saw in the summer in the forthcoming 12 months. increased to 84.8 per cent. That body is the Thames Valley operational policing, and the strategic in the past and the demands of the disorder in in 2011 – it presents Police Authority (TVPA) which principles that determine the shape of present; we must also anticipate the challenges for public order policing. In 2012–13, we will invest £371 million comprises elected and non-elected the organisation required to deliver it. consequences of social, technological of taxpayers' money in policing representatives from across Thames and economic events upon likely Thames Valley. Valley who oversee our work. And, for each year of our strategy, criminal behaviour. we provide a delivery plan of tactical TVPA asks our Force to propose a actions that sets out what we will do In other words, the priorities we decide OUR APPROACH TO STRATEGIC PLANNING 3,700 FEWER VICTIMS three-year strategy for policing Thames to get there. upon not only have repercussions for We draw together two strands of strategic analysis – a strategic intelligence OF BURGLARIES/ROBBERIES THAN IN 2010-11 Valley and, annually, a Delivery Plan public safety today; they also influence assessment and PESTELO – in order to assess risks of criminal behaviour and our ability to cut crime and inspire establish the operational policing requirements to address them public confidence in the future.

STRATEGIC GOALS STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT OF RISK

1. TO CUT CRIMES THAT ARE OF MOST CONCERN TO THE COMMUNITY; To strike the balance between POLITICAL STRATEGIC operational need and organisational ECONOMIC 2.  TO INCREASE THE VISIBLE PRESENCE OF THE POLICE; capacity, while inspiring public INTELLIGENCE SOCIAL ASSESSMENT 3. TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES FROM THE MOST SERIOUS HARM; confidence in policing, we assess our response to the following TECHNOLOGICAL ANNUAL 4.  TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE PUBLIC IN ORDER TO BUILD TRUST AND CONFIDENCE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES; strategic questions: ENVIRONMENTAL DELIVERY PLAN LEGAL 5.  TO TACKLE BUREAUCRACY AND DEVELOP THE PROFESSIONAL SKILLS OF ALL STAFF; • What crime and criminal behaviour ORGANISATIONAL 6.  TO REDUCE COSTS AND PROTECT THE FRONTLINE. pose the greatest risks of harm to our community? STRATEGY TRANSFORMING OUR ORGANISATION ORGANISED TO CUT CRIME The adoption of a Local Policing Model has led to the removal of Basic Command Units and the introduction of central support teams serving the entire Force. This has significantly reduced our costs but without compromising the support for our Force and local policing teams. On 9 March 2011, during Prime Minister’s • establishing a means of tackling • give officers greater confidence to deal BEFORE AFTER Questions in the House of Commons, unnecessary bureaucracy; and with more offences more locally, by Responsible for: Investigation, Forensics, Responsible for: Major Crime, Force Crime, David Cameron was asked about the • creating a joint Information applying the principles of the National Roads Policing, Protective Services, Protecting Roads Policing, Protective Services, Protecting effect upon frontline policing of cuts Management Unit with Decision Model (see page 17); and Vulnerable People, Operations, Intelligence, FORCE Vulnerable People, Operations, Intelligence, in police budgets as a result of the Constabulary which is responsible • concentrate more specialised Operational Support, Custody, Criminal Justice HEADQUARTERS Operational Support, Custody, Criminal Justice, Team comprehensive spending review (CSR). for data protection, freedom of policing resources at Force level Supported by: Finance, Personnel, information, information security, where they are ideally placed to Administration, Training, Communications, The Prime Minister said: "The point records management and compliance. protect our communities from the Control Room resources that I would make is that, if we listen to most serious harm. what chief constables are saying about Together, these measures mean that Responsible for: Investigation, Protecting FORCE what they want to do, here is the chief we are well placed to protect our In addition, the concentration of Vulnerable People, Operations, Intelligence, of Thames Valley: 'What I investment in frontline policing in administrative, finance, communications Custody, Criminal Justice, Specialist Operations Team PERSONNEL, FINANCE, haven’t done at all is reduce the number Thames Valley despite the challenges and human resources in single Force- ADMINISTRATION, FIVE BASIC COMMAND UNITS, EACH LED BY of officers who do the patrol functions, of austerity. level teams, as part of the adoption of COMMUNICATIONS, Supported by: Finance, Personnel, A CHIEF so the officers you see out in vehicles, the Local Policing Model, has not only Administration, Training and TRAINING, FORENSICS, on foot, in uniform, on bicycles. We WHAT WE MEAN BY A LOCAL contributed to an estimated £7.5 million Communications Resources CONTROL ROOM haven’t cut those numbers at all.'" in savings between 2011–2015, but POLICING MODEL has avoided the need for LPAs – the The reason why our Force has not cut front line of policing – to shoulder the LOCAL POLICE AREAS Responsible for: Investigation, Patrol, those numbers at all dates back to While our productivity plan has enabled burden of non-policing tasks. Neighbourhood and Intelligence 2006 – three years before the CSR – us to pursue our strategic objectives Supported by: Administration and LOCAL POLICE AREAS 14 Local Police Areas, each led by a Chief and the pursuit of a strategic goal to to tackle bureaucracy and reduce costs So, today, Thames Valley Police operates 16 LOCAL POLICE AREAS – BETWEEN 1 AND Training Teams or Superintendent improve our Force’s productivity. to protect the front line, our purpose on the basis of two distinct organisational 5 WITHIN EACH BCU – EACH LED BY A CHIEF for doing so is to improve our ability tiers: a local policing level and a Force level. INSPECTOR OR SUPERINTENDENT Responsible for: Local Investigation, Strategically ‘productivity’ means to serve the public of Thames Valley: Patrol, Neighbourhood making the most of the time, money At a local policing level, Local Police and skills at our disposal. In practice, • to cut crimes that are of most concern Areas were retained, giving responsibility it means being able to put police to the community; for operational policing – a team of Where significant items of expenditure processes and practices which they Our bilateral agreement with Hampshire officers where it matters; by rethinking • to increase the visible presence of neighbourhood, patrol and local crime are concerned – such as overtime, consider cost our Force unnecessary Constabulary to create a joint operation the way we are organised and adapting the police; and investigation officers – to a Local Police premises and vehicle fleet, for instance time or money. unit for roads policing and firearms, it, by identifying costly bureaucracy • protect our communities from the Area Commander. – we have established a Value for and a combined Information and and reducing it, and by recognising most serious harm. Money (VFM) framework which ensures Together, these measures have led to Communications Technology team, unnecessary cost and cutting it. At Force level we brought together that our investment contributes to considerable savings which – in tandem requires considerable organisational Prior to the implementation of policing disciplines to establish a Force- our strategic objectives and, where with far-reaching organisational change integration and interoperability, So since 2006, our productivity plan the Local Policing Model, Thames wide pool of officers able to be assigned possible, helps us realise potential – have allowed us to reduce the costs rather than just close cooperation. has led us to challenge the way we Valley Police operated a three- to investigate crimes, not on the basis savings too. required to support policing while think, organise and act to cut crime tier command structure: a Force level of the location of the crime in Thames maintaining our commitment to a more Together, our police forces are and protect the public in Thames Valley. headquarters tier and a second tier Valley, but on the basis of where their Since 2004, for example, our visible presence of police officers in combining systems and operations to And it has resulted in transformational of five Basic Command Units (BCUs) skills are needed. participation in the Chiltern Transport our community. derive the best value for money that change which has enabled us to fulfil which were each responsible for Consortium – along with Bedfordshire, we can from the resources we share. our commitment to police more visibly, a number of Local Police Areas We have established a series of Force- Hertfordshire and Civil Nuclear more locally, by: (LPAs) – the third tier. level ‘shared services’ teams for finance, – has enabled our COLLABORATION However, despite delivering planned procurement, information technology, combined forces to reduce the cost of savings, the desire to reduce costs is • adopting a Local Policing Model that Police officers were assigned to BCUs, communications and human resources, purchasing police vehicles by a total not the only reason for pursuing such has enabled us to remove an entire and BCU organisations had evolved to allowing us to significantly reduce our of £3.4 million. The principle of collaboration and close collaboration. tier of command and increase the support BCU-led operational policing costs but without compromising the cooperation – through joint operations concentration of policing resources with their own administrative, finance, support for our Force and local In tandem with our VFM framework, with other forces – has been a Operationally, communities in Thames within 14 Local Police Areas; communications and human policing teams. we adopt the principles of a 'zero-based consistent feature of operational Valley and Hampshire benefit from • entering a collaborative agreement resources departments. budgeting' approach. This enables us policing in the . our Forces’ ability to collaboratively with to to challenge the budgets and functions provide enhanced coverage. This is create a joint operation unit for roads But by removing the BCU tier and PURSUING GREATER VALUE of departments and units across our And, of course, in a period of reduced particularly significant within the M4 policing, firearms and dog handling; adopting Local Police Areas as the Force, and reduce the risk of waste, by public spending on policing, the idea corridor where high volumes of traffic • forming a single Information and foundation for policing, Thames Valley FOR MONEY focusing on the tactical and strategic of pooling resources with other forces and large concentrations of populations Communications Technology team Police has been able to: objectives that we have set out in our to cut crime and reduce costs, makes represent significant operational serving both Thames Valley Police Our ability to navigate transformational delivery plan. a great deal of sense. demands on resources. and Hampshire Constabulary; • allow LPA Commanders greater change has not only relied upon changing • adopting a 'Value for Money' (VFM) autonomy to increase the visible the shape of our organisation, but on Finally, our Force-wide Tackling What is changing, however, is the nature Strategically, our collaboration with framework and zero-based budgeting presence of the police and cut establishing ways to challenge and Bureaucracy team enables officers and of the collaborations that forces like Hampshire Constabulary enables us approach to financial decision making; crimes that are of most concern to change the way the Force's time and staff to raise examples of procedures, Thames Valley Police are pioneering. to protect numbers of frontline police their community; money is invested. officers as well as reduce our costs. 6 7 Examples like the Coffee Hall estate through local publicity, or through MAKING CONNECTIONS THAT NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING in illustrate how, by known contacts or sources on CUT CRIME investing in neighbourhood policing, their beat; we are able to encourage communities • Finally, to convey information – At street level, our neighbourhood to gain confidence in their own whether directly or through community If you were invited to single out one For the police, too, the importance of teams are expected to make ability to diagnose and address petty newsletters and other media – that step that Thames Valley Police could visibility in our neighbourhoods cannot POLICING OUR NEIGHBOURHOODS connections with individuals and crime and anti-social behaviour promotes neighbourhood policing take to make you feel safer, what be underestimated. organisations in the community they problems together. activity. For instance, promoting would it be? Across the Thames Valley, each of serve so they understand its unique neighbourhood initiatives to tackle Our visibility and conduct within our 14 Local Police Areas (LPAs) have law and order concerns. anti-social behaviour, or suggesting In 2010, a survey conducted on behalf neighbourhoods are vital in fostering dedicated neighbourhood teams THE COMMUNICATION LYNCHPIN prevention measures in light of crimes of Thames Valley Police Authority public confidence in our stewardship whose activity is determined by an For instance, neighbourhood officers committed in nearby neighbourhoods. asked 1,753 residents of Thames Valley of law and order in our communities. LPA Commander. will attend community, parish and THAT HELPS CATCH CRIMINALS a similar question. town council meetings, as well as Alongside the benefits of making house In turn, public confidence is more likely Our officers and Police Community voluntary community and faith-based Our neighbourhood teams' knowledge visits or meeting people face-to-face to translate into a willingness for police Support Officers (PCSOs) currently groups, forums and events. of people and places within their on their beat, neighbourhood teams and neighbourhoods to work side by patrol 263 neighbourhoods in order communities and the connections are also able to call on dedicated 70% side to cut crime. to cut crime and anti-social behaviour They may also establish strong that they build, fulfil an invaluable communications support – coordinated SAY INCREASED POLICE VISIBILITY in our villages, towns and cities. connections with schools, doctors’ communication role for our Force in centrally by Thames Valley Police's MAKES NEIGHBOURHOODS FEEL SAFER surgeries and local services for young three distinct ways: headquarters – for text messaging, Our approach is built upon key people and the elderly. e-mail and print communications. Of the responses received, 70 per cent 263 principles of communication, • First, neighbourhood officers and said an increase in the visibility of police NEIGHBOURHOODS IN THE cooperation and constructive By doing so, neighbourhood officers PCSOs are able to tap into the flow This means that when crime occurs, on the beat in our neighbourhoods THAMES VALLEY community-based action. These are: and PCSOs are able to encourage of intelligence throughout our Force neighbourhood teams are not only would be the most influential factor. the formation of neighbourhood – to provide, confirm or act upon able to provide a visible presence So when a survey says that 70 per cent • to engage with communities action groups and call on the help of intelligence highlighted in their daily where it is appropriate, but also to This is unlikely to be a surprise. Since of the Thames Valley public want to see and individuals, community representatives and local briefing before they leave their base; broadcast timely text alerts or e-mails, the foundation of the modern police an increase in the visibility of police on • to listen to what they say, authorities to resolve problems of anti- • Second, to help seek information or post leaflets and information in force by Sir in 1829, the the beat, it matters equally to both the • to work with them to resolve issues, social behaviour or crime themselves. related to criminal activity either order to appeal for information or presence of police on our streets has public and the police. • to communicate the successes that through formal appeals for witnesses keep communities informed. served both as a source of reassurance we have achieved. in our neighbourhoods and as a visible deterrent to criminal behaviour.

TACKLING ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR IN COFFEE HALL, MILTON KEYNES Two years ago the anti-social behaviour on Coffee Hall reached critical proportions. I live near the centre of the INSPIRING CONFIDENCE IN OUR NEIGHBOURHOODS estate and would regularly see groups of youths drinking Anti-social behaviour had been a persistent problem and causing criminal damage. The British Crime Survey shows that our investment in front-line policing is leading to rising in Coffee Hall. Residents of Jonathans Court confidence within neighbourhoods across Thames Valley sheltered housing complained of groups of young The bus companies were threatening to stop the evening people regularly gathering at a nearby bus shelter. services because windows were constantly being broken or their drivers assaulted. Many Coffee Hall residents are CONFIDENCE IN OUR POLICING HAS 2009 Damage was being caused to the bus shelter as elderly, disabled or on a low income and without public RISEN TO 76.8% IN 2011 FROM 70.6% well as young people running in the road, creating transport they’d be totally isolated. IN 2009 unwanted disturbance for local residents. 2011 We set up a working group involving local agencies such The ringleaders among the group were identified as the parish council, residents association, the church, and measures were put in place to target them and play group and the police. We worked together to put 64.7% OF PEOPLE IN THAMES VALLEY 2009 disrupt their activity by increasing patrols of the area a dispersal order in place for three months while we set THINK WE DO A GOOD OR EXCELLENT and taking steps to engage with group members at up activities to give the youngsters something to do. POLICING JOB COMPARED TO 58.3% local youth clubs. IN 2009 2011 Youth workers and police community support officers This was followed by anti-social behaviour contracts, spent time engaging with young people and gradually which are voluntary agreements between the police, built up a relationship. Now the atmosphere on the 56.6% OF PEOPLE THINK WE 2009 council and offenders. estate is totally different: the young people have claimed ARE DEALING WITH ANTI-SOCIAL ownership of the activities they helped to set up, and warn BEHAVIOUR AND CRIME ISSUES THAT These measures proved to be successful. Group their peers not to cause trouble and risk them being taken MATTER - A RISE OF 8.2% SINCE 2009 2011 members began to consider the feelings of elderly away. It’s an ongoing project, but we’re getting there. residents, leading to a reduction in the level of anti- STEVE , COUNCILLOR AND RESIDENT OF THE 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% social behaviour. COFFEE HALL ESTATE, MILTON KEYNES PATROL SERGEANT SIMON WOODMAN,

British Crime Survey – Data referred to is from September 2009 and September 2011 MILTON KEYNES 8 9 PROTECTING COMMUNITIES STAGE 1: INVESTIGATION AND PREPARATION FROM CRIME In August 2010, Thames Valley Police began to investigate the activity of drugs gangs operating in and around Mandela Court, Reading.

By January 2011, we had gathered enough evidence to warrant the creation Mandela Court was a notorious of an out-of-station base for the investigation, which was staffed by a full centre for drug dealing in Reading time team of officers. THE SUSPECTS and the source of many complaints to local councillors and MPs. The local Intelligence gathering continued in order to identify suspects and gather impact was considered significant The drugs gang was an organised evidence. Detectives kept officials at Reading Borough Council in touch enough to warrant further investigation crime group with 4 ringleaders with progress of the investigation. and investment of Thames Valley who – communicating via a Police resources. combination of radios and runners – directed the activity of 7–8 street Thames Valley Police established an dealers with 8 'spotters' whose job operation to gather intelligence and was to warn dealers of police investigate criminal activity with the presence during deals. following strategic objectives:

1 TO MINIMISE THE HARMFUL EFFECT OF DRUG DEALING IN THIS AREA OF READING

2

TO CARRY OUT ARRESTS THAT LEAD TO CONVICTIONS

3 STAGE 2: OPERATION TO ARREST SUSPECTS AND GATHER EVIDENCE TO INSPIRE CONFIDENCE AMONG RESIDENTS TO ENGAGE WITH THE POLICE By May 2011, we had gathered sufficient intelligence and evidence to carry out a night-time operation to catch and arrest suspects. The operation involved:

– 16 arrest warrants – Medics – 16 teams to carry out the warrants – Gold and silver command – 200 police officers including public – Detectives Thames Valley Police continues to order trained officers – 16 team supervisors work with local stakeholders to ensure – River police – Lighting this type of criminal behaviour doesn't – Helicopter – Dedicated custody suite at local re-occur in the area, and to provide – Drugs and search dogs police station STAGE 3: POST-OPERATIONAL COMMUNITY REASSURANCE AND PRESENCE WHAT WE ACHIEVED reassurance to local residents and businesses through a range of activities. Once the operation was completed, it was important that we established suspects arrested and charged a policing presence that would prevent criminals from returning to the 20 for conspiracy to supply drugs Mandela Court area and reassure the community of our commitment to worth of drugs do so. £63,000 recovered drug gang ringleaders convicted As well as long-term neighbourhood policing measures designed 4 and sentenced specifically for Mandela Court, we have undertaken other steps to reduce of cash from criminal the risk of crime in the community. £183,000 activity recovered

10 availability of an officer as soon as For example, a shooting may occur RESPONDING TO EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND RESILIENCE they sign-on or sign-off duty, and have in one Local but involves visibility of all officers who are available a gang from another. The daily CALLS AND ENQUIRIES within the Force around the clock. management meeting allows the Force, as a whole, to determine the Thames Valley Police deals with two For many people, the front line We determine how many police officers In addition to information about appropriate action to take and direct types of inbound calls – our Control of policing is represented by HOW DO WE KNOW WE HAVE are allocated to Local Police Areas by officers, our Control Room has a coordinated response. Rooms receive emergency 999 calls neighbourhood officers, PCSOs, patrol ENOUGH POLICE OFFICERS reviewing historical data for crimes and visibility of our Force-wide assets and our Enquiry Centres deal with non- officers, local crime investigation AVAILABLE 24 HOURS EACH DAY? incidents and the current population and specialist teams including our It may decide, for instance, to increase emergency 101 calls from the public. teams and emergency call handlers. figures. The allocation is adjusted to Joint Operations Unit – covering the presence of neighbourhood and reflect changes on an annual basis. roads policing, firearms operational patrol officers, or deploy trained Control Rooms and Enquiry Centres So for Thames Valley Police, our ability Although an emergency call received support and the dog section – which firearms officers in a patrol vehicle. operate around the clock each day. to deal with concerns and respond by our 999 service is handled at a Force On a day-to-day basis, we ensure we operate in collaboration with appropriately – whether it is by phone level, the officers and vehicles that continuous 24-hour minimum staffing Hampshire Constabulary. Within Thames Valley Police, we or in person – has a significant bearing may be deployed as a result of the call levels by operating a three-shift pattern PRIORITISING INCIDENTS operate two Control Rooms – based in upon public confidence in our policing. are based within one of Thames Valley which ensures the number and duties of These specialist units undertake Abingdon and Milton Keynes – which Police’s 14 Local Police Areas. officers available are aligned with each routine day-to-day patrol duties, but handle an average of 5,600 inbound We deal with neighbourhood policing day of the week. are strategically deployed to allow for How we decide to respond to reported 999 calls each week. and crime investigation elsewhere in So at all times, our objective is to ensure rapid response across Thames Valley incidents of crime is determined by this document, so this section describes: policing resilience throughout our Local All officers operating within Local Police as and when they are needed. our assessment of the risk to life or to Police Areas. Areas book on and book off their shifts order within our community, and the • how we make sure we have enough using the Force-wide duty management time within which we must respond to 1,700,000 CALLS PER YEAR police on our streets; In other words, we aim to ensure that system – nicknamed ‘Bobo’. MANAGING RISK AND RESILIENCE address those risks. • how we manage the demands of we have officers with the appropriate day-to-day tactical policing; and skills, vehicles and equipment where we At a Force level, data from all of the OF DAY-TO-DAY POLICING In other words, we must judge how Staffed by 60 police officers and • how we handle calls from the public need them and when we need them. duty management systems across immediate and urgent our attendance 540 police staff, our Control Rooms and prioritise incidents. Thames Valley is drawn together While our headquarters team has at an incident must be. and Enquiry Centres are responsible Our assessment of how staff are and updated in real-time. This means operational oversight of available for receiving calls from the public, allocated to different policing functions that staff in our Operations team officers and assets, the day-to-day For instance, faced with the report of assessing the risk of a reported incident is influenced by the strategic policing and Control Rooms are aware of the tasking of patrol officers, local crime a burglary in progress and a vehicle and deploying the appropriate skills requirements for Thames Valley and investigation teams and neighbourhood theft within close proximity to one and resources in response. our annual strategic assessment. officers, is decided by our 14 Local another, we will give priority to the Police Area Commanders. deployment of available officers to We aim to respond to inbound 999 calls the scene of the burglary. within 10 seconds and emergencies,

E-MAIL RECEIVED FROM THAMES VALLEY RESIDENT, byPublished kind permission of Mr Tim Halliday Each morning our operations team where resources are deployed, within TIM HALLIDAY, FOLLOWING A BURGLARY AT HIS HOME receive briefings from each of the Local The burglary is immediate and urgent: 15 minutes. Police Areas, highlighting incidents in it requires rapid identification of the the previous 24 hours. policing requirements, the ability to Alongside calls received from the public, locate the appropriate officers and Control Rooms also handle inbound Local Police Area briefings contribute assets, and their deployment as quickly calls from other emergency services – Burglary Subject: to Force-level monitoring of as possible in order to protect life, like fire and ambulance services – and From: Tim Halliday Sent: 15 March 2012 To: Sara Thornton exceptional incidents, and the sharing arrest a suspect and restore order. alerts from alarm monitoring systems of intelligence or information about across the Thames Valley area. Dear Sara, planned police activity. Unless the vehicle theft is connected to another incident that we are already I wanted to write to you to in respect of the performance of your officers following the Each day a daily management meeting investigating – or is a crime in progress burglary at our home on Tuesday night, and the consequent theft of my car. People probably 5,600 mainly write to you when they wish to complain, but this mail is purely complimentary. takes place which involves the Force’s – we can deal with it by appointment. day gold commander – the senior 999 CALLS PER WEEK Having discovered the burglary at 6.20am on Wednesday morning I dialled 999 and reported officer who is in operational command Whether an incident is reported it. Around 7.45am I received a call from PC Tom Chalk from Police Station saying of the Force throughout the day – Force to an officer on the street, or a call Non-emergency 101 calls are received he was on his way. Tom duly arrived around 8.15am, along with a trainee. They were both Crime, Corporate Communications, handler within our Control Rooms, by our three Enquiry Centres in polite, respectful and sympathetic to our situation and made us feel completely at ease. Information Technology, Strategic we expect our officers and staff to be , Milton Keynes and Windsor. Later in the day we learned that the local police had been posting leaflets through doors department and Local Police Area able to assess the risk to life and our We receive an average of 27,000 locally, as well as speaking to our neighbours, giving them information about the security Commanders. community, and respond appropriately. per week. of their houses - very efficient and very informative. Participants in this meeting are able to The way we deal with in-bound calls 101 calls range from reports of crimes After a long day we got some good news confirming the vehicle was in the process of being recovered! I was amazed at the speed that the information was coming back at. raise the incidents highlighted in their from the public is based on a similar like theft of vehicles or criminal damage, morning briefing and decisions are principle: to prioritise reported incidents to calls from the public reporting

During the evening I had my first contact with DC Dave Rawlings. He gave me an update made about assigning resources and based on how immediate and urgent suspicious behaviour or responding to on exactly what had happened that evening. It should also be said that this was between actions to be taken to address potential our response needs to be. appeals for information about crimes. 10 and 11pm. Nothing seems too much trouble. risks or levels of threat. So, in conclusion, whilst I am not happy that we have been victims of crime, I feel that I have learnt something from our experience. I have learned that in living in the Thames Valley we are being looked after by a well trained and caring Police Force.

12 Yours Sincerely, 13 Tim & Sarah Halliday POLICING ROYAL ASCOT

Every June, Royal Ascot attracts more than 294,000 visitors with numbers, on some days, in excess of 70,000. Thames Valley Police supports Ascot Racecourse Limited to ensure the event runs safely, smoothly, and with as little disruption as possible to local communities and road traffic.

For such a complex event, internal and cross-stakeholder planning starts early in the year to put the right people in the right place, with the right support in order to meet the policing objectives for this event. In the build up to and during the event, 5 DAYS Thames Valley Police focuses on five OF THE EVENT objectives. These are:

1. To ensure the safety of Her Majesty the Queen, members of the Royal Family and other distinguished visitors;

2. To support Ascot Racecourse Limited and the Royal Borough of Windsor and in maintaining public safety;

3. To deter or prevent crime, disorder or other anti-social behaviour from taking place, and to deal 294,000 with offenders positively and VISITORS appropriately;

4. To support Ascot Racecourse Limited and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead to minimise traffic and pedestrian congestion in and around the venue, and to 70,000 seek to minimise disruption to the SPECTATORS PER DAY communities affected by the holding of the event; and

5. To coordinate a multi-agency response to and manage the effects of any major incident, including terrorism or any other emergency.

Achieving these objectives requires the right blend of skills, resources, communications and equipment. It also requires Thames Valley Police to work closely with other police KEY forces, regional and national security agencies, communities and local authorities – all in addition to Ascot THAMES VALLEY POLICE Racecourse Limited. OTHER ORGANISATIONS

14 15 investigation, investigating officers NATIONAL DECISION MODEL may also work side by side with our CRIME INVESTIGATION AND INTELLIGENCE At each stage in crime investigation, our officers apply a simple National Decision Force’s intelligence and forensics teams Model tool to assess risk and decide upon appropriate actions in order to build evidence in a case.

When a crime has been committed, 1. Determine how critical an offence As the diagram of the Crime Continuum For example, detectives may want our priority is to protect life and then is by assessing its seriousness, suggests, crime investigation is to develop evidence based on capture a suspect. complexity and the risk or harm it carried out throughout our Force information gained during an GATHER INFORMATION has caused or poses to people in either within a Local Police Area – by investigation by adopting intelligence- AND INTELLIGENCE our community; and neighbourhood officers, patrol officers, led tactics to target suspects by WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CRIME 2. Establish the most appropriate and detectives in local CID teams – or tracking vehicle movements. crime investigation skills and by detectives within our Force CID hubs INVESTIGATION? resources required to undertake in , Meanwhile, crime scene examination an investigation. or , or Major Crime Team and lab-based scientific analysis of ASSESS THREAT AND RISK All our officers are able to play a role and PVP teams. evidence by our forensic team can be TAKE ACTION AND REVIEW AND DEVELOP in this task; from our neighbourhood On pages 18–19 we have detailed – pivotal throughout an investigation. WHAT HAPPENED A WORKING STRATEGY and patrol officers, who are the first to step-by-step – how an incident is This not only provides a high level of POLICE MISSION respond to a reported crime and carry investigated from a 999 call made to resilience in crime investigation capacity In the initial investigation of crime out initial investigation and enquiries, our Control Room and a patrol officer’s and capability across Thames Valley but scenes, our Scene of Crime Officers AND VALUES to a Detective Superintendent leading initial investigation, to the incident’s – just as importantly – it ensures that and forensic photographers play an a murder investigation. escalation to a murder investigation our neighbourhoods can rely upon our important role in leading searches led by our Force Crime Investigation Force to have the means to deal locally and securing evidence which can help In fact, the spectrum of crime, and Department's (CID) Major Crime team. with crime that is of greatest concern identify suspects or establish lines the skills and resources required to to our community. of enquiry. investigate it, directly influence the way In general, crimes are escalated up in which we organise crime investigation the Crime Continuum because they In particular, collection and analysis within Thames Valley Police. require more specialised skills and of DNA evidence can prove crucial in IDENTIFY OPTIONS CONSIDER POWERS SOLVING CRIMES AND AND CONTINGENCIES AND POLICY resources to successfully investigate both building a case which leads to an All our officers apply a simple National the incident. The only exception to BUILDING CASES arrest and charging of a suspect, and Decision Model tool (see diagram this are incidents referred through as compelling evidence to secure opposite on page 17) to inform their our Referral Centre where cases may Successful detective work requires a conviction in court. decision making. be assigned to Local CID Protecting an ability to secure evidence, gather Vulnerable People (PVP) detectives witness statements and information, As our primary means to combat crime, gathered by Local CID and intelligence, In addition, officers are aware that our working within Safeguarding and build a body of evidence to identify HOW WE MONITOR CRIME AND our ability to translate raw information and neighbourhood and patrol teams, approach to investigation is based upon Children and Adults partnerships suspects and make arrests which lead into meaningful intelligence that we was developed with support from a crime continuum (see diagram below), (see section on Protecting People to successful convictions. CRIME INVESTIGATIONS can act upon, is essential if our Force Force intelligence officers to enable a which enables all our officers to do two and Communities – pages 20–21). is to continue to cut crime and protect significant crime prevention operation. things in order to decide upon the best In addition to the evidence gathered Each morning, our Local CID, Force our community. Often described as way for our Force to investigate a crime: through witness statements and CID and Force Intelligence teams gather the ‘lifeblood of policing’, good At a Force level our central intelligence information in the course of an for a daily crime review – a conference information may be gathered through team of analysts and intelligence call which enables each team to a variety of sources, ranging from our officers gather, analyse and refine raise significant incidents and report own neighbourhood and patrol officers, information, in order to identify THE CRIME CONTINUUM: HOW WE MAKE SURE WE INVEST progress on live investigations over to informants and anonymous calls patterns and emerging trends, which the past 24 hours. to Crimestoppers. inform both tactical and strategic THE RIGHT SKILLS IN THE INVESTIGATION OF CRIME policing operations. In addition, the call allows the In fact, every day at every police station The way we decide who should investigate crime is based upon a crime continuum which enables all our officers to escalation of incidents, the confirmation within Thames Valley an intelligence In addition, our intelligence officers determine how critical an offence is – shown in green below – and assess the most appropriate crime investigation of priorities, and a chance to share briefing forms part of the daily briefing prepare intelligence ‘packages’ for skills and resources required to undertake an investigation – shown in blue. information and agree actions which for officers on duty. In other words, more specialist teams to develop; assist live investigations. every officer – at every level of our intelligence which supports operations LOCAL POLICE AREA FORCE police Force – who books on for duty targeting known criminals in order The outcomes from the daily crime every day is aware of the intelligence to gather evidence of planned review are also raised in the daily Force briefing and is mindful of it on patrol. criminal operations. management meeting mentioned in the FIRST RESPONSE PATROL & LOCAL CRIME FORCE CRIME & FORCE MAJOR section on response and resilience on Like crime investigation, the ability With a focus upon the prevention of NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAMS INVESTIGATION PROTECTING VULNERABLE CRIME UNIT page 12. of our officers and staff to develop Force-wide and cross-border serious DEPARTMENT PEOPLE INVESTIGATION information into actionable intelligence organised crime, our teams undertake TEAMS is as important within our Local Police surveillance and manage informants PREVENTING CRIME THROUGH Areas and neighbourhoods as it is at for operations within our borders, Force level. and to support both the South East INTELLIGENCE Regional Organised Crime Unit and BURGLARY / ROBBERY / THEFT / HATE CRIME / VIOLENT CRIME / ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR / PROTECTING VULNERABLE PEOPLE / GUN CRIME / SERIOUS VIOLENT CRIME / SERIOUS In fact the illustration on pages 14–15 national Serious Organised Crime PUBLIC DISORDER / CRIMINAL DAMAGE / LOWER LEVEL SEXUAL OFFENCES / DRUGS SEXUAL OFFENCES / SERIOUS PUBLIC DISORDER / COMPLEX FRAUD / COMPLEX DRUG While the role of crime investigation is – describing an operation to close Agency operations that help to MISUSE / LOCAL FRAUD OFFENCES / HOMICIDE / UNEXPLAINED DEATHS / CRIMES IN ACTION / THREATS TO LIFE to address the consequences of down a drug-dealing ring in Reading protect Thames Valley’s community crime, intelligence plays a vital role in – shows how intelligence, initially from serious harm. 17 preventing crime occurring at all. Family Liaison Officer support has been Investigation and reassurance patrols provided to the family of the victim Tasking briefing with investigation team INVESTIGATING A continue throughout the night throughout the court proceedings MAJOR CRIME MAJOR CRIME UNIT / LPA / FORCE CID MAJOR CRIME UNIT / FAMILY LIAISON OFFICER Thames Valley Police Authority (TVPA) LPA commander establishes an Independent MAJOR CRIME member informed by LPA commander Advisory Group (IAG) as a means of THAMES VALLEY POLICE AUTHORITY / LPA communication with community leaders On-duty Chief officer, LPA Commander and SIO issues media statement on the LPA / COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES outcome of the trial When dealing with a major crime crime investigation team receive briefing on progress DAY 3 TVP CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS / MAJOR CRIME such as murder or rape, Thames Valley Incident case opened on HOLMES case MAJOR CRIME UNIT / LPA / ACC Police's objective is to carry out an management system House-to-house enquiries in progress MAJOR CRIME UNIT FORCE CID / LOCAL CID investigation that identifies the suspect The suspect is convicted and sentenced SIO nominates absent member of household Analysis of CCTV footage shows victim with to imprisonment and leads to the successful conviction the suspect who is wearing clothing matching CROWN COURT LPA Commander commissions community as suspect and continues enquiries to of that suspect, while all the time Media statement issued bloodstained items retrieved from property impact assessment locate and arrest him reassuring the local community. While TVP CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS FORCE INTELLIGENCE LPA MAJOR CRIME UNIT no two cases are ever the same, there Media statements are prepared in advance 08:00 of verdict by communications team with SIO are steps which are typical of any Intelligence officers analyse location of TVP CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS / MAJOR CRIME Community and diversity officers drafted Statements are obtained from the other major crime case. This example is based the suspect’s mobile phone and establish in to support operations occupants of the victim’s household on an actual case and illustrates the MAJOR CRIME UNIT he is in Family liaison officer assigned NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAMS AND COMMUNITY AND steps involved in a murder investigation. DIVERSITY OFFICERS FORCE INTELLIGENCE Trial begins at Crown Court MAJOR CRIME UNIT / FORCE CID MAJOR CRIME / CPS / CROWN COURT Evidence is seized and sent for DNA analysis Emergency response SIO makes contact with Police Reassurance patrols begin in the area of FORENSICS Inform next of kin about victim’s death to track down location of the suspect Identification of victim the incident MAJOR CRIME UNIT / LPA / PATROL OFFICERS MAJOR CRIME UNIT / 9–12 Detection of suspect LPA / PATROL / NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAMS MONTHS Arrests and interviews Scene of Crime Officer discovers potential murder weapon and preserves the scene for Coroner’s office notified Charging and court case IAG meeting to provide information, photography and forensic examination CORONER'S OFFICE preparation communications and reassurance FORENSICS DAY 4 Communications LPA / COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES Detectives continue to liaise with CPS barristers and witnesses in preparation for SIO briefing to investigative team Apparent bloodstains are discovered on the trial at Crown Court MAJOR CRIME UNIT / FORCE CID / LOCAL CID MAJOR CRIME / CPS 14:00 clothing and a sheath for a weapon within Intelligence officers and detectives locate the one room of the property suspect and inform West Midlands Police of FORENSICS their intention to carry out an arrest DAY 1 Scene of crime forensic examination begins Leaflets appealing for information are FORCE INTELLIGENCE / MAJOR CRIME UNIT Case filed with CPS FORENSICS published ready for distribution MAJOR CRIME / CPS TVP CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS / NEIGHBOURHOOD Forensic team conducts examination of room 06:00 POLICING TEAM within property Thames Valley Police detectives attend 01:00 FORENSICS address in Birmingham and arrest the suspect on suspicion of murder DAY 37 Call to 999 Control Room reporting Body transported by undertakers with MAJOR CRIME UNIT / WEST MIDLANDS POLICE discovery of a body in an alleyway On-duty media officer prepares media police escort to mortuary Warrant is obtained to search the premises THAMES VALLEY POLICE (TVP) CONTROL ROOM statement with SIO UNDERTAKERS / PATROL OFFICERS and detectives return to interview occupants MAJOR CRIME UNIT TVP CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS / MAJOR CRIME UNIT DNA samples are taken from the suspect and sent as priority actions to the laboratory Detectives continue to gather witness Control Room Inspector identifies Pathologist begins post mortem examination FORENSICS / MAJOR CRIME UNIT statements and conclude all lines of enquiry incident as a serious crime SIO calls in Major Crime team for 0630 briefing supported by forensics photographer and in Enquiries reveal that one person in the in order to submit full case file to CPS TVP CONTROL ROOM MAJOR CRIME UNIT / LOCAL CID presence of representative of Coroner's Office victim’s household is absent MAJOR CRIME UNIT HOME OFFICE PATHOLOGIST / CORONER’S OFFICE / FORENSICS MAJOR CRIME UNIT

Control Room requests patrol officer to attend Gather information about next of kin DAY 5 the scene and contacts ambulance service MAJOR CRIME UNIT Pathologist seeks to establish cause of death Tasking briefing with investigation team to confirm death DAY 8-37 HOME OFFICE PATHOLOGIST MAJOR CRIME UNIT PATROL OFFICERS SIO informs on-duty Assistant Chief Suspect is interviewed and denies involvement in the murder Constable (ACC) Blood sample is retrieved and sent House-to-house enquiries establish the Control Room contacts on-call Force Senior MAJOR CRIME UNIT ASSISTANT (ACC) / MAJOR CRIME UNIT for DNA analysis home address of the victim The suspect appears at Magistrates' Court Investigating Officer (SIO) FORENSICS LOCAL CID / FORCE CID / MAJOR CRIME UNIT and is remanded in custody pending trial MAJOR CRIME UNIT MAJOR CRIME UNIT / CPS / MAGISTRATES SIO informs LPA Commander of the incident MAJOR CRIME UNIT / LOCAL POLICE AREA (LPA) Family conduct formal SIO asks for Duty Detective Inspector in DAY 6 identification of victim LPA station to be informed DAY 2 CORONER'S OFFICE / MAJOR CRIME UNIT MAJOR CRIME UNIT / LOCAL CRIME INVESTIGATION DAY 7 HQ Operations are contacted for lighting to DEPARTMENT (CID) be provided at scene DNA samples taken from the suspect OPERATIONS Arrangements made to search scene after match with both the weapon used to conclusion of forensic examination Investigation and reassurance patrols kill the victim, clothing at the scene of 01:20 MAJOR CRIME UNIT / SPECIALIST SEARCH OFFICERS continue throughout the night crime and clothing found at the property SIO and CPS issue a media statement Scene of Crime Officer is requested to MAJOR CRIME UNIT / LPA / FORCE CID FORENSICS announcing charging of suspect Patrol officer and paramedics arrive at scene attend scene TVP CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS/MAJOR CRIME UNIT/CPS AMBULANCE SERVICE / PATROL OFFICERS FORENSICS On-duty Assistant Chief Constable chairs strategic meeting (Gold Group) Media statement is released confirming cause Case evidence to allow formal charging of MAJOR CRIME UNIT / LPA / ACC / TVPA of death, type of weapon used and significant the suspect is provided to Crown Prosecution CPS reviews the evidence in the case and Service (CPS) Paramedic confirms death and patrol officer LPA Inspector asks for cordon to be set up features of the case the suspect is charged with murder begins preservation of the crime scene by patrol officers 17:00 TVP CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS / MAJOR CRIME UNIT MAJOR CRIME UNIT / CROWN PROSECUTION SERVICE (CPS) MAJOR CRIME UNIT / CPS AMBULANCE SERVICE PATROL OFFICERS LPA / PATROL OFFICERS With the Probation Service, our ViSOR CASE STUDY PROTECTING PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES team also co-chairs statutory monthly Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) meetings a relationship with them, so that they with representatives from Social Care SAFEGUARDING THE LIVES develop trust, to the point where hopefully Public confidence in policing depends We operate a referral centre process, As well as participating in Local for Adults and Children, local housing those victims will end up saying yes I will upon our ability to provide reassurance which means that all reports of Safeguarding Adults Boards – which departments, Named Nurses, mental OF VULNERABLE PEOPLE support prosecution and will disclose that we are able to protect people and domestic abuse, child abuse, missing oversee the joint partnership approach health services, and education welfare the full picture, because to begin with our community from harm. people and sex offences are received to local safeguarding – DAIU also co- partners to share information, evaluate Transcript of an excerpt from BBC Radio they don’t know who they can trust. You and reviewed centrally. The risks chairs Multi-Agency Risk Assessment risk, and agree joint management 4's 'What are the Police for?' broadcast need to develop that personal working In cases of child abuse, domestic associated with each case are assessed Conferences, known as MARACs, with plans and case review dates. on 20 February 2012 and presented by relationship, so regular contact, regular abuse or crimes targeting vulnerable and a priority is assigned. the Probation Service. MARACs are BBC News Home Editor, Mark Easton. phone contact, sitting down with them, adults, our communities expect non-statutory but bring together a having those conversations and showing Thames Valley Police to play its role The details are then shared with multi- variety of partners from education, PROTECTING VULNERABLE Presenter: I am invited to Thames Valley that we understand and we get in preventing abuse and violence. agency partners – ranging from adult health, housing and social care to share regional headquarters in Aylesbury to it and we’re not criticising them for being and children’s social care to schools information, review risk levels of cases COMMUNITIES FROM PROLIFIC meet Detective in the position that they’re in, and We will describe, in a moment, how and local health services – depending and agree a joint safety management OFFENDERS Rebecca Mears. actually we’re there to help them. we work side-by-side with public and on the nature of the incident. plan to minimise the risk to victims DCI Mears: We’re currently in the Presenter: What once might have been voluntary sector partners to identify, and children. Even by preventing a relatively small domestic abuse investigation unit, which dismissed as ‘just a domestic’ is now monitor and intervene in high-risk and number of offenders re-offending, the is part of the wider protecting vulnerable a police priority. An hour later, the medium-risk cases of abuse across 'I have worked as a consequences for reducing crime in people unit for Buckinghamshire. Detective Chief Inspector is in the home Thames Valley. for over 15 years and within the our community can be significant. CHILD ABUSE They deal with the high risk domestic of the woman who called in overnight. Protecting Vulnerable People arena abuse offenders and victims which This is sensitive and difficult policing. And the need to do so is stark. In the for the last 3 years specialising in And initial work on an integrated come in. They will also do the victim Protecting vulnerable people cannot be United Kingdom two women die each domestic abuse. The department Our Child Abuse Investigation Unit offender management programme, run management of medium risk offences achieved from the back of a Transit. week as a result of domestic abuse. has, without doubt, offered me (CAIU) deals with cases involving abuse in tandem with the Probation Service as well. They will also do the reduction As this victim told me, it is about the most challenging work I have that either occurs within families, or and other local community partners, of risk towards the victims, so where the developing a relationship. Taking steps to reduce the risk of ever faced. I deal daily with serious involves professionals or people in has begun to yield promising results. victims are co-operating with us and Victim: I always thought in the back of victims being exposed to further harm violent assaults, sexual assaults and positions of trust. we want to try and make sure they don’t my mind I’m wasting their time. Someone is vital if we are to prevent violence incidents involving vulnerable adults The programme, which establishes get assaulted again in the future, or could be getting raped down the road. and loss of life. and it would be fair to say that a Within Thames Valley, we work with a plan of action for individual offenders harassed or stalked, then we will work Why would they want to listen to someone vast majority of the people we deal Children’s Social Care on a daily basis, alongside continuous monitoring, is with them and our partners to try and who’s been sort of slapped around and But we also pursue the principle of with can be reluctant to talk to us. as well as representatives of educational intended to reduce the risks of prolific reduce that risk. punched and kicked and I’m still standing, prevention from the other side of the I, along with the other detectives and local health services, either to offenders committing more offences. Presenter: These are all officers I can and you just think the next day everything crime equation – by seeking to reduce working in this field, work tirelessly take action to remove children from see in the room, are they, these are will be fine and he’ll come back to the risk of reoffending by offenders in prosecuting offenders, gaining the an environment in which they are at risk The number of convictions among all detectives? normal and… who are about to be released from jail trust of the victims and making a real of further harm, or for Social Care to the 468 offenders who were selected DCI Mears: Yes, these are all detective Presenter: But actually the service you sentences or are already living within difference in improving their quality work with families with the children to participate in Thames Valley's constables. They are dealing with what’s got from the police was much more long our community. of life.' still at home. programme fell by more than half come in this morning. Every morning we term than perhaps you’d first envisaged? – from 558 in first quarter of 2010 will receive a list of all the offences that Victim: Yes, it was long term, but they In these cases, too, we work closely DETECTIVE CONSTABLE PHIL INCE, PVP, This work – based on ‘Working to 269 in the same quarter of 2011. have happened overnight, and we will look were very thorough. A couple of officers in partnership with other agencies to BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Together’ statutory guidance – is at them all and pick up the high risk and I saw on numerous occasions, they prevent crime and protect our intensive, involving daily case In addition, this outcome saved the medium risk, and this morning we’ve kept coming. community from harm. conferences to discuss individual taxpayers an estimated £450,000 got a couple of high risk in. Presenter: Did you like that, do you like children and their families. per annum in police and criminal Presenter: Rebecca tells me how they the fact that they kept coming around? justice costs. DOMESTIC ABUSE intend to deal with one of the high-risk Victim: I preferred the same two, because PROTECTING VULNERABLE PEOPLE cases which came in overnight. it got very frustrating having to explain VIOLENT AND SEX OFFENDERS DCI Mears: …and what we’ve got to do the same thing over and over again, and Our Domestic Abuse Investigation now, is to go through with her is, does saying like are you with me so far. So it We have a Force level team that is Unit (DAIU) works closely with she want to support a complaint against was nice that they come in and they know dedicated to protecting vulnerable Women’s Aid and local ‘Safeguarding Our Violent and Sexual Offender the offender. We will still support the everything. I kind of like saw them like people (PVP) with a strategic unit based Adults’ partnerships to establish safety Register (ViSOR) team manages victim if they don’t want to do a criminal friends in the end because they’d come within our headquarters and detectives management plans for all medium registered sex offenders who are prosecution, we will still do the risk in and be like ‘right, what’s he done now?’ leading investigations based at Force and high-risk victims of abuse, and either in the process of being released management with them and we will try Presenter: A quarter of all murders, almost CID hubs across Thames Valley. investigates all reported offences from prison, or are already living in and prosecute without victim support, two-thirds of child abuse cases and more involving high-risk victims. our community. with the support of the crown than 50,000 rapes and attempted rapes Our work is divided between prosecution service. each year occur inside the victims’ homes. four teams: We also manage high-risk victims The team enables police officers and Presenter: So it’s psychology, it’s The police service has been convinced • Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit to try and maximise their safety and police staff to monitor behaviour, community safety? that if its job is to prevent crime, it must (DAIU); the safety of others, with the aim of review risks, reduce the likelihood of DCI Mears: There’s definitely an element of be an active partner in the multi-agency • Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU); reducing their risk and preventing re-offending and deal with any that and every single person, every single work to deal with domestic violence. • Missing persons; and further abuse. offending or breaches of their officer in this department that we’re sat in • Violent and Sexual Offender Register release conditions. today will have dedicated high risk victims (ViSOR) team. Published by kind permission that they manage, so that they develop of BBC Radio Four 20 21 STRATEGIC POLICING FROM THE CHIEF CONSTABLE

Not all criminal activity encountered in Thames Valley Police's contribution The Government has called the election of Police and Crime Thames Valley originates here or remains to the SPR is realised in two ways: confined within our borders. Commissioners the most ambitious and far-reaching plans • as a Force, our strategic assessment – for reform of policing in more than half a century. It is my The nature of organised crime and and subsequent delivery plan – must responsibility to work with the current Police Authority to terrorist activity, for example, means it address the resourcing and resilience ensure that we are prepared for that change. An important will cross borders. demands posed by the national part of that preparation is to make sure that the public SPR; and Thames Valley’s proximity to London, • within our region of the UK, we work understands how we police our community. for instance, means that crime alongside other forces to monitor originating within London may affect regional crime activity and contribute I hope that you have found this prospectus to be informative our own community within Thames intelligence that is of both regional and interesting and that it may have also prompted you Valley or pass through our borders. and national significance. to want to find out more about policing in your area. Our website contains lots of useful information and you can Whether its origins lie elsewhere in Thames Valley Police is the lead Force the United Kingdom, or from another for the South East Counter Terrorism sign up for Thames Valley Alert which will give you local country altogether, the consequences Unit (SECTU) whose participants information by e-mail or text – whichever you prefer. of organised crimes – like people also include Kent, , trafficking, drug trafficking and and Hampshire. The main responsibility of my Force is to cut crime in terrorism – pose serious threats to the area and this prospectus has explained how we set our community. In turn, SECTU forms part of a UK-wide about that. The remit is wide – from anti-social behaviour national counter terrorism network. And the ability to prevent crime to terrorism – and we are working hard to ensure that networks from operating, depends on However, our participation in SECTU we exploit every advantage that science, technology, an ability to coordinate policing activity does not only contribute to the SPR. intelligence and evidence give a modern, professional to track it down and stop it. It also means that Thames Valley police force. Sir Robert Peel, the founder of British policing, Police supports the Government’s was quite clear that the primary purpose of the police was comprehensive strategy for countering the prevention of crime and disorder. In 183 years that terrorism – called CONTEST. THAMES VALLEY POLICE AND THE has not changed, but the means by which we do that have NATIONAL STRATEGIC POLICING It is this network that determines the changed considerably. REQUIREMENT priority of tasking for anti-terrorist operations. This means that Thames Policing by consent underpins all that we do. We are a thin Nationally, the Home Office assesses Valley Police – as part of the regional blue line and rely on the support of the public and on the the threats to national security counter terrorism unit – is expected fact that most people obey the law most of the time. But and public safety and sets out its to contribute resources to operations requirements of all police forces in nationally, while also tasking other officers do have considerable powers to use force, to arrest the United Kingdom to address the police forces as part of the region’s and to search and seize property. It is essential that these risks in the form of a Strategic Policing counter terrorist operations. powers are used fairly and with integrity. Thames Valley Requirement (SPR). Police is effective in fighting crime and protecting you and The south east regional organised always seeks to do so in a way that inspires the trust and As well as identifying the type of threats crime unit – whose participants include confidence of everyone. which it considers to be of national Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire significance – such as terrorism, civil constabularies as well as the UK Border emergencies, organised crime, public Agency, Her Majesty’s Revenue and order and large-scale cyber incidents Customs, and the national Serious – the SPR sets out the steps the Home Organised Crime Agency – operates Office expects police forces to take to on a similar basis to SECTU. counter the threats it has identified. Its operations are coordinated by SARA THORNTON, CHIEF CONSTABLE The Government’s purpose for and its activity focuses doing so is to ensure that, nationally, on cross border organised crime it can rely on the combined capacity affecting regional forces. and capability of its police forces – and other agencies – to be able to successfully coordinate and deploy resources in response to national threats.

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