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Response to Thames Valley Police Strategic Plan 2003/2006
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Introduction
Thames Valley Chamber represents around 3000 companies throughout the Thames Valley. Our members employ over 150000 staff and a high quality, effective and visible police service is important to business. The Chamber operates from offices in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. Crime against business is one of the four key concerns of our members.
Overview
Our comments on specific objectives of the proposals are noted below. In addition we have a couple of key comments which override our specific remarks:
- The Chamber and our members fully support the work of Thames
Valley Police and we are keen to develop strategies to improve
the safety and security of individuals, business and communities
throughout the area.
- We are disappointed that the strategic plan contains no reference
to tackling crime against business. We believe this is a major
omission that disadvantages the business community in relation
to other sectors. This exclusion of business sits uncomfortably
with the Vision comment 2 which states "We want our policing policies
to deliver by 2006 communities to feel that we engage them to
identify what is important to local people and to provide the
kind of service each community needs".
Vision
We support the Vision for policing services and in particular welcome more police patrols, the commitment to handling enquiries and most importantly the commitment to reduce crime and detecting more crime. We also support the comments related to the force itself.
Policing Style
Chamber members have commented that the centralisation of calls to Milton Keynes has created problems. Staff lack local knowledge and appear not to understand local concerns. Members have also commented on the amount of information required which they feel is excessive. While we support the need to reduce administration on police constables we suggest that the current requirements be reviewed to streamline the process.
We welcome the aim to ensure that officers understand the local area. However, we would like to see officers specifically identified as responsible for working with the business community.
Long Term Priorities
We support the four long-term priorities in particular reducing vehicle, alcohol and drug related crime, increasing the detection rate and police visibility. We would expect to see business being engaged in priority four.
Focus for 2003/2004
While we support the priorities we are disappointed that there is no reference to crime against business. We would like to understand where Thames Valley Police stands on this sector of the community.
Challenges Facing the Thames Valley
The Chamber has concerns about continual changes in central government policy. We support concerns about priorities being skewed to achieve short-term targets. A balance must be struck between the flexibility of the Thames Valley force to determine its own priorities and the political needs of successive home secretaries. The Chamber is familiar with the pressure imposed on organizations through bidding for short term and short notice funds. It is important that the police locally are able to determine their own key priorities. However, local accountability is only deliverable and supported if the appropriate sectors of the community have been consulted. The business community should be regarded as a key consultee.
Local Crime and Disorder and Serious and Organised Crime
We believe that the key priorities have been identified.
Public Expectation
Business is part of the community. Its concerns mimic those identified by the general public. However, business people have their own concerns and they expect to see these recognised by Thames Valley Police. We welcome the recognition that TVP must improve its communication.
Resources
The Chamber recognises that TVP faces major funding issues. Parts of the area face crime problems consistent with inner city areas yet are funded as rural type communities. The service must become more efficient but also needs to improve its links with the business community to seek support and resources.
Help from others to achieve this plan
We call on TVP to improve communication with business. It needs to explain its activities better and listen to business needs. We are keen to build on our existing partnerships.
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMES
Crime Programme
We welcome action to inform communities about local problems and the implementation of a more victim focussed approach. The Chamber is in a position to support TVP in its action to inform the business community. We are disappointed that specific plans are not being developed to tackle crime against business. We believe this omission should be corrected.
Criminal Justice Programme
We welcome the recognition that confidence needs to be increased in the criminal justice system and that the needs of victims, witnesses and jurors are met. Fundamentally we wish to see a reduction in the levels of crime.
Public and Staff accessibility to services programme
Improvements in access to police services are required. Business, like the general public, need to communicate with their local police service as efficiently as possible. We welcome the commitment to improve telephone and direct caller response.
Local and Operational Policing Programme
We support high visibility policing. Indeed members call for action based on the US model commonly referred to as "Zero tolerance" We recommend that TVP build sits relationships with the business community.
People Programme and ICT Programme Supported.
Analysis of Thames Valley CDRP's
We recognise and support the priorities identified by the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRP's). We are keen to ensure that these strategies impact on the business community. It is important that Thames Valley Police set out how they will work with business to deliver success in these areas.
Conclusion
Thames Valley Chamber are pleased to contribute to the Strategic Plan. We support the Thames Valley Police service and are keen to continue to develop our partnership. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss our comments further.
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