Removing police link is deeply damaging

The removal of Jeff Pick and the role of the community engagement and resilience officer within Thames Valley Police is another hammer blow to the cherished relationship between the police force and the local community.

Mr Pick was due to update residents at the West Windsor Community Forum on Thursday, October 6, 2022, 7pm at Woody’s Cafe, Dedworth on the latest crime figures for the local area and police initiatives to help combat the rising issues. As he has done on numerous occasions before.

He was the public face of the force and always came with information leaflets and handy tips on how to avoid being a victim of crime.

Living in an area where the demographic is predominately either young families or elderly residents, the visibility of the police at community meetings and forums, gave that calming reassurance.

Now residents are left to feel vulnerable with little or no support evident from

Thames Valley Police.

Mr Barber, the Police and Crime Commissioner for the area needs to take his head out of his spreadsheets and into the local community to see the positive impact Mr Pick and others had on local community relations, it is not too late to reverse this deeply damaging decision. RICHARD ENDACOTT Kingsfield

Windsor