Police commissioner says trust must be restored after critical survey results

The Police and Crime Commissioner and his rival for the role have spoken out over a need to build trust in Thames Valley Police after a survey found public confidence lacking.

Results of the survey, from data provider Maru on behalf of the force, showed only 60 per cent of respondents viewed it as a trustworthy organisation.

In addition, only 50 per cent thought the police listened to the concerns of local people and 55 per cent thought it could be relied on when needed.

Current Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber (Conservative) said: “We are of course aware that incidents over recent years have damaged the public’s trust and confidence in policing and this will inevitably have an impact on attitudes here in the Thames Valley which we need to better understand.

 “I know that trust and confidence can only be achieved by delivering effective policing on the ground so I will be looking at how the force effectively uses this insight to inform operational policing locally.”

Mr Barber has announced an annual residents’ survey will be commissioned, designed to help better inform attitudes towards police.

With PPC elections upcoming, set for May this year, Labour’s candidate Tim Starkey has also spoken out.

Mr Starkey said: “Urgent work is needed to re-build trust, starting with an overhaul of the vetting and misconduct procedures so victims of crime know they can have confidence in the officers dealing with their case.

“Recruiting more neighbourhood police is also vital, after they have been decimated under the Tory government.

“Sadly, this is the legacy of 12 years of Conservative Police and Crime Commissioners in Thames Valley.”

Mr Starkey has also raised concerns in the wake of the findings of the Angiolini Inquiry into the murder of Sarah Everard by serving Met police officer Wayne Couzens.

While Couzens represented a different force, Mr Starkey has backed Labour calls for urgent reform to vetting and misconduct procedures in all police forces, including the Thames Valley.

“The types of misogynistic attitudes uncovered in the team where Mr Couzens was operating are sadly not confined to the Met,” he said.

He has backed Labour’s call for new police recruits to be subject to national vetting standards as well as automatic suspension for officers facing sexual offence investigations.

In response to the Angiolini Inquiry, the College of Policing, the professional body for the police in England and Wales, said that last year it updated its vetting Code of Practice to help forces ‘identify and eliminate unacceptable behaviour before they enter policing and when they are in service’.

CEO Chief Constable Andy Marsh said: “I am under no illusion that there is more to do and we are committed to real and lasting improvements. The report does acknowledge we have made progress in tackling abuse of power for sexual purpose by police officers, violence against women and girls related misconduct and the wider vetting processes.

“But much more is required.”