Thames Valley Police
South East · Territorial force · 4,700 officers
Key Statistics
Officers
4,700
Staff
2,600
Area (sq miles)
2,218
Population served
2,400,000
About Thames Valley Police
The largest non-metropolitan force, covering Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. Diverse policing from rural villages to urban Reading and Oxford, with strong collaborative specialist units.
Thames Valley Police serves a diverse and expansive geographic area in the South East of England, encompassing the counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire. With a mix of urban centres like Reading and Oxford alongside rural villages, the force is well-equipped to deal with varying policing challenges. Thames Valley borders multiple police forces, ensuring a collaborative approach to managing cross-border crime and incidents, particularly important given the region's transport links and access routes, including major motorways and railway lines. Additionally, the presence of historic sites and several busy transport corridors adds layers of operational complexity. The police force prides itself on its advanced specialist units, such as the Cyber Crime Unit, Dog Unit, Vulnerability Unit, and a dedicated Armed Response Team, which operate to address specific local needs effectively. Recent priorities outlined by the force focus on enhancing community safety, tackling serious and violent crime, and working closely to combat domestic abuse. These initiatives reflect Thames Valley Police's commitment to adapting to the evolving landscape of public safety while maintaining strong ties with local communities.
Current priorities
- Enhancing community safety
- Tackling serious and violent crime
- Combating domestic abuse
- Promoting road safety
Notable specialisms
Source: About Thames Valley Police. Summary fetched 2026-07-05.
Public-data snapshot
Workforce
Officers
4,700
Staff
2,600
Total headcount
7,300
Source: Home Office Police Workforce Statistics as of 31 March 2025 · OGL v3
HMICFRS PEEL rating
requires improvement
Inspection cycle: 2023-2025
Source: HMICFRS PEEL assessments · Open Government Licence v3.0
In recent oversight reports
Thames Valley Police is named in 1 recent IOPC investigation outcome or HMICFRS thematic report.
Investigation finds Thames Valley Police used necessary force in Milton Keynes fatal shooting
2026-05-29 · IOPC
From data.police.uk
data.police.uk covers England, Wales & Northern Ireland; not Police Scotland.
Engagement & social channels
Stop and search
Latest available month: 2026-08. 1,403 recorded stop-and-search records that month. Officer-defined ethnicity was recorded on 98.9% of records.
By object of search (2026-08)
| Controlled drugs | 934 |
| Stolen goods | 189 |
| Offensive weapons | 175 |
| Article for use in theft | 69 |
| Articles for use in criminal damage | 24 |
| Firearms | 6 |
| Evidence of wildlife offences | 4 |
| Fireworks | 2 |
By outcome (2026-08)
| A no further action disposal | 977 |
| Community resolution | 262 |
| Arrest | 124 |
| (not recorded) | 16 |
| Khat or Cannabis warning | 9 |
| Caution (simple or conditional) | 8 |
| Penalty Notice for Disorder | 5 |
| Summons / charged by post | 2 |
Source: data.police.uk · Open Government Licence v3.0
Recorded crime by category
17,551 crimes recorded by Thames Valley Police in 2026-08 (latest published month), by category. Counted from the published street-level archive; England, Wales & Northern Ireland only.
| Crime type (2026-08) | Recorded |
|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 6,216 |
| Anti-social behaviour | 2,371 |
| Shoplifting | 1,801 |
| Public order | 1,434 |
| Other theft | 1,368 |
| Criminal damage and arson | 1,290 |
| Vehicle crime | 882 |
| Burglary | 588 |
| Drugs | 552 |
| Other crime | 322 |
| Bicycle theft | 243 |
| Robbery | 197 |
| Theft from the person | 190 |
| Possession of weapons | 97 |
| Total | 17,551 |
Source: data.police.uk street-level archive · Open Government Licence v3.0
Deaths during or following police contact
IOPC-recorded fatalities involving Thames Valley Police over 2004/05 to 2024/25 (2024/25 in brackets). These use the IOPC’s five categories, which have different definitions and are not additive. Figures count incidents the IOPC attributed to Thames Valley Police; see the national page for how multi-force incidents are handled.
South East Allowance
Up to £3,000 / year
Force-discretionary South East allowance, set by the chief constable up to the statutory maximum, to help offset higher living costs in the South East.
Recruitment
How to join Thames Valley Police
Application stages, entry routes, fitness and vetting requirements.