'Summer blitz' sees Thames Valley Police target town centre criminality
It's part of the Home Office's Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, with a set of measures aimed at making communities safer
High Wycombe is among more than 500 town centres taking part in a national “summer blitz” to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, part of the government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.
The Home Office scheme, launched today by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, will see increased visible patrols, named contactable officers in every community, and targeted enforcement against persistent offenders.
Across the country, shop theft is up by more than 60% over the past two years, with theft from the person more than doubling since December 2022.
In the Thames Valley, and in High Wycombe in particular, the approach builds on work already underway.
Neighbourhood Inspector Harry Gehnich said: “We will address anti-social behaviour and make a difference. And we will be visible in town centres this summer.”
Since July, Thames Valley Police officers have completed more than 23,000 minutes of hotspot patrols in Buckinghamshire town centres. In High Wycombe specifically, targeted policing operations have brought measurable results.
An operation launched in June 2024, focused on Dovecot Car Park, identified as a hotspot for drug use, property damage, and other anti-social behaviour.
“The implementation of that closure order was key to us having a longer term impact to address the issue,” Inspector Gehnich said, as the force worked jointly with Buckinghamshire Council to secure the legal power.
Success in that operation led to Operation Herald in the town centre. This has resulted in over 70 public reports and more than 300 retail reports of anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. Year-to-date, shoplifting charges in the town centre have risen by 246%, reflecting a targeted focus on prolific offenders. Officers have made 45 arrests covering 117 offences, issued 12 community resolutions, three street warning letters and five cautions.
The work is supported by the town’s Business Improvement District, with funding also provided to Wycombe Homeless Connection and One Recovery Bucks to address the causes of offending.
A central part of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee is the “named officer” scheme. This is linked to the “72-hour guarantee”, ensuring responses to public enquiries within three days.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:
“High streets and town centres are the very heart of our communities. Residents and businesses have the right to feel safe in their towns.
“Through our Safer Streets Mission and Plan for Change, we are putting officers back on the beat where you can see them and making our town centres safe again.”
The initiative also includes summer activities for young people to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour, and a new Tackling Retail Crime Together Strategy to use shared data from police and retailers against offenders, from organised gangs to opportunistic shoplifters.
Inspector Gehnich said Thames Valley Police will continue to seek community feedback through quarterly polls, which set local priorities for neighbourhood policing teams.