We are providing all the candidates seeking election as Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) with the opportunity to tell our readers what their priorities are, and to tell us a little more about themselves.
We’ve asked the same four questions to each candidate, for straightforward comparison, and we have invited candidates to supply social media and website links if they choose to.
In this article we speak to Matthew Barber, standing for the Conservative Party.
Related topics:
- Click here to read other Thames Valley PCC candidate interviews
- Click here to read other articles about the Conservative Party
- Click here to read other articles about the PCC elections 2021
(1) Please tell us a little about yourself.
I have served as Deputy Police & Crime Commissioner since 2017 and gain the experience of the role not just to understand what can be achieved but how to achieve it.
Married with two children (and a dog) I share the concerns of residents who want to see more police tackling issues of neighbourhood crime in our communities.
(2) What do you feel are the policing priorities in our area?
I’ve set out my plan to fight crime across Thames Valley…
Strong local policing
More police officers, neighbourhood policing and focussing on the crimes that matter most to the public
Fighting serious organised crime
Cracking down on the threat from “county lines” gangs to protect children from exploitation
Fighting cyber crime and fraud
Investing in the technology and resources the police need to protect us all online
Improving criminal justice
Supporting victims of crime, bringing more criminals to justice and reducing reoffending
Tackling illegal encampments
Ensuring a fair but firm response to illegal encampments and reducing the effect on communities
(3) What initiatives would you seek to implement if elected on 6th May?
If elected, as well as delivering My Plan, I will support a number of specific initiatives to help make our communities safer including:
Rolling out the new community speedwatch scheme to provide more support and equipment for volunteers and ensure that roads policing are more responsive to the issues raised by the community.
A dedicated rural crime team to support existing neighbourhood teams in dealing with rural crime across Thames Valley
Improving the prosecution of domestic abuse cases by encouraging the Crown Prosecution Service to support the fast-track prosecution scheme that has been successfully trialled in Buckinghamshire
(4) What skills/experience would you look to bring to the role?
My experience as Deputy PCC means that I understand the role of PCC, not just in managing the nearly £1/2bn budget of Thames Valley Police and working with the Force to deliver the public’s priorities but also in the wider responsibilities of the PCC.
Working closely with local authorities through the community safety partnership, engaging with other criminal justice bodies to help reduce reoffending and constantly engaging with the public the understand the concerns of communities across the Thames Valley.
I don’t just have a plan, but I know how to deliver that plan to make our communities safer.
