The Thames Valley Police and Crime Panel were scheduled to meet to discuss a range of topics, including updates on violence against women and girls, police misconduct, and financial matters. The panel was also expected to review reports on the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, inland waterways policing, and police vetting procedures. Additionally, the panel was scheduled to discuss topical issues and plan its future work programme.

Complaints, Misconduct and Police Appeals

The panel was scheduled to receive a presentation on how the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) holds the Chief Constable to account regarding complaints and misconduct issues within Thames Valley Police (TVP). The presentation was also expected to cover information on reviews and appeals handled by the PCC.

The report pack included an overview of the evolution of the police disciplinary system, from Major-General Chip Chapman's 2014 review to the Policing and Crime Act 2017 and subsequent legislation. It also clarified the definitions of complaints, misconduct, and gross misconduct, as well as the processes for appealing complaints.

The report pack stated that on 28 May 2025, amendments to the Police (Conduct Regulations) 2020 came into effect, meaning that there is now a presumption of dismissal without notice if an officer is found guilty of gross misconduct.

The report pack also included a summary of a case from West Yorkshire Police, where a police constable was dismissed for gross misconduct after taking two packets of Jaffa Cakes from a charity stall without paying the full price. According to the report pack, the panel chairman in that case, Akbar Khan, said that the police constable's actions were an abuse of trust and had brought discredit on the police and the service .

Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) Clare's Law

The panel was scheduled to receive a report detailing performance information on the delivery of the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), also known as Clare's Law, in the Thames Valley. The report was expected to focus on comparisons between the Thames Valley and similar forces.

The report pack stated that the Thames Valley Police Service Improvement Unit sent a benchmarking request for data relating to DVDS to Sussex Police, Hampshire Constabulary, Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Hertfordshire Constabulary, Essex Police, Avon and Somerset Police, and Leicestershire Police.

According to the report pack, two forces, Cambridgeshire Constabulary and Hertfordshire Constabulary, provided a response by the deadline. The report pack stated that overall, all three forces dealt with an increasing number of DVDS applications in the first quarter of this fiscal year compared to the last.

The report pack stated that the overall disclosure rate in the Thames Valley (27%) sits in the middle of Cambridgeshire (25%) and Hertfordshire (34%).

Thames Valley Police - Inland Waterways Policing Report

The panel was scheduled to receive an overview of Thames Valley Police's role in policing and ensuring safety on England's inland waterways. According to the report pack, Thames Valley Police (TVP) plays a critical supporting role in the policing and safety of England's inland waterways, working in partnership with key navigation authorities such as the Canal and River Trust and the Environment Agency.

The report pack stated that TVP no longer maintains any maritime capability following the disbandment of the Underwater Search Unit in 2015. However, operational support is provided through the S22 Joint Operations Unit (JOU) agreement with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary (HIOWC), which hosts a Marine Unit.

The report pack also noted that Neighbourhood Teams across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire actively engage in water safety education and joint operations.

Force Financial Update

The panel was scheduled to receive a high-level overview of the forecast financial position for Thames Valley Police for the 2025/26 financial year. The report was expected to outline projected budgetary outcomes and identify key areas of financial risk.

According to the report pack, operational spend is forecast to be £2.48m overspent (0.4% of the total budget) against the Jan'25 approved Medium Term Financial Plan. This includes £1m of savings which are being proactively identified alongside a wider efficiency savings programme.

The report pack stated that the recent 4.2% pay award for police officers, matched for staff, introduces a further £0.5 million pressure not yet accounted for in the forecast, despite the additional Home Office funding announced.

TVP Vetting - Update

The panel was scheduled to receive a progress report on TVP's vetting procedures. According to the report pack, the Thames Valley Police Central Vetting Unit has faced a variety of challenges over the last 12 months following the release of a new version of the vetting APP¹, the release of the Police Vetting Regulations, the recent HMICFRS² inspection and the Angiolini findings report. The report pack stated that in anticipation of the increased demand created by the Regulations and the new APP, CCMT³ have extended the Vetting SLAs⁴ from 30 to 40 days. The report pack also noted that there has been an increase in Business Interests and Notifiable Associations, demonstrating how individuals are feeling more comfortable to disclose such matters but also showing a worrying trend around BI's and the fact that employees often cite financial difficulties for having to work a BI on top of their policing role.

Update on the PCC's implementation of the PCP's Violence against Women and Girls Task & Finish Group's recommendations

The panel was scheduled to receive reports from the PCC and TVP on responses to the recommendations made by the Police and Crime Panel's (PCP) Task & Finish Group on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

The report pack stated that the Task and Finish Group presented their final report to the Panel on 15 March 2024. The report addresses the global issue of violence against women and girls (VAWG) and highlights issues of distrust around police handling of such cases.

The report pack stated that as of 1 July 2025, all victims who have reported a crime to TVP are now automatically referred to Victims First for the offer of support.

Report of the Complaints Sub-Committee

The panel was scheduled to receive a report from the PCP's Complaints Sub Committee. According to the report pack, one complaint was considered since the last meeting of the Panel (28 July 2025). The report pack stated that the proceedings of Complaints Sub-Committees are confidential, and no details can be discussed in the public domain of a Panel meeting.

Updates from the PCC, the Chair of the Panel and Topical Issues Report

The PCC and the Chair of the Panel were scheduled to provide updates and to note and ask questions of the PCC on the Topical Issues report.

The topical issues report included summaries of news articles on a range of subjects, including:

• A police chief suggesting that the public need to stand up to shoplifters and stop relying on cops.
• A 22 per cent increase in reported shoplifting being described as positive by the Thames Valley's police and crime commissioner.
• Concerns raised by Jess Phillips, the Safeguarding Minister, that the main screening tool used to decide which domestic abuse victims get urgent support doesn't work .
• Thames Valley Police being the third-highest force for collapsed sexual offence cases amid lost and missing evidence.
• The PCC launching a new education strategy to reduce the risk of children being affected by crime.
• The government expanding police use of live facial recognition vans.
• Thames Valley Police continuing an anti-social behaviour crackdown.
• Police being given new guidance on releasing suspects' nationalities and ethnicities.
• Thames Valley Police staff having been sacked 39 for sexual misconduct.
• Thames Valley Police using drones to catch people speeding.

Work Programme

Panel Members were scheduled to put forward items for the Work Programme including ideas for themed meetings.