Thames Valley Police to review local policing structures

Matthew Clark | March 21, 2023

Thames Valley Police is carrying out a review of the structure of its local policing areas.

The aim of the review to make sure the police force is set up in the best possible way to meet current and future challenges.

The last review of this nature took place in 2010. Now, in 2023, the force is working in a more complex environment, with a rise in digital crime and increasingly harmful and complex offences, such as child sexual exploitation and county drugs lines.

Following extensive research, including how other forces are structured, long-term trends and future scenarios in policing, two local policing models are being considered.

One is to continue with the existing 11 Local Policing Area (LPA) model, with enhancements where possible and the other is to change to a five-area command model. The five areas would be Oxfordshire, Berkshire West, Berkshire East, Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes.

To support this work, the force is asking Thames Valley residents for their views on the proposals.

Jason Hogg, Deputy Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police, said: ‘This review is about addressing changes in policing and in society so that our force is structured for the future; for our people, our partners and the public we serve. Any changes in structure will allow further investment into frontline services including domestic abuse, serious crime investigation and neighbourhood policing.

We’re keen to find out what people across our area think of our proposals. Feedback from our communities will help inform us as we seek to make a decision on a final option this summer.‘

The survey is online and closes on Friday 28th April 2023. Paper copies can be requested via the Thames Valley Police enquiry form.

Paper copies of the proposal information and the survey can be requested by calling or texting 07814 485155 and leaving a message with a name, address and contact details. Alternatively written correspondence can be sent to: Force Review team, Thames Valley Police Headquarters South, Oxford Road, Kidlington, OX5 2NX.

Further details can be found on theLocal policing proposals webpage of the Thames Valley Police website.

The current 11 Local Policing Areas (LPAs) are: