Top cop hails riot response

Thames Valley Police chief constable has praised police and volunteers across the region in wake of riots

THAMES Valley Police's top cop has praised the actions of crime-fighters across the region for their roles in quelling the violent rioting and looting rampages which broke out locally and nationally.

Chief constable Sara Thornton said scenes of anarchy in London, Birmingham and Manchester as well as the copycat instances of trouble in Tilehurst, Reading and Oxford were “some of the biggest challenges the police service has faced”.

Last week in Tilehurst, during a night of trouble across the country, a brick was thrown at an on-call ambulance.

She promised a “relentless” investigation into the trouble, and said 30 people had already been arrested across Thames Valley in connection with violence.

“I am proud to say that TVP officers, staff, special constables and volunteers rose to this challenge and worked together with our communities to restore order and prevent further disruption,” she said.

“Many staff cancelled their annual leave to return to work and many of our volunteers did the same.

“So far we have made in the region of 30 arrests in the Thames Valley area relating to this operation. The majority of these offenders have been remanded in custody as a result and significant numbers of our investigation teams are following up enquiries.

“A great many people have worked some very long hours to make this possible.”

Thames Valley Police riot squad officers were seconded to London throughout the disturbances to assist.

Today (Tuesday), the Home Secretary Theresa May announced that thousands more police officers will receive training in how to deal with riots and civil disturbances.

She also said that the Government will reverse its planned police reforms, which will see Thames Valley Police lose 259 front-line officers by 2015 as the force attempts to manage a £52 million cut in funding over the next four years.