Force plans 53 more neighbourhood officers

Another 53 neighbourhood police officers are to be recruited across Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire in 2026, Thames Valley's police and crime commissioner (PCC) has said.

Matthew Barber said his spending plans for Thames Valley Police, including the further officers, would see council tax for a band D household rise by 29p.

He said: "This increase will ensure the force can maintain policing levels, keep communities safe and address the policing priorities of residents identified through my ongoing local crime survey."

Barber said the force was also bringing in a dedicated Roads Policing Unit Tasking Team to target dangerous and illegal drivers and improve road safety.

Setting out his local policing budget for 2026/27, Barber said: "My priorities for Thames Valley Police are to cut crime and catch criminals. "

He said it was his responsibility to ensure the force has "sufficient resources to effectively prevent and investigate crime, support victims and protect communities".

"Setting the policing budget remains a complex process of balancing priorities and this budget has been particularly difficult," said the PCC.

He stated again that the police funding settlement the government announced in December was £9m less than Thames Valley Police expected.

Police funding comes from a government grant and also from a portion of the council tax paid each year.

The budget for Thames Valley Police will be £622m, with almost half of that funding provided by council taxpayers, said the PCC.

The budget went before the Police and Crime Panel on Friday and is awaiting final approval.