PREPARING for the threat of terrorism and solving more sexual assaults are among the priorities for Thames Valley Police this year.

Chief Constable Sara Thornton said she also wanted to improve communication between police officers and local communities, and boost members of the special constabulary – volunteer police officers – to 450.

They were among the force’s priorities for 2010-2011 outlined in its Delivery Plan, drawn up by the force and Thames Valley Police Authority.

Other aims include identifying victims of chronic anti-social behaviour and intervening appropriately, cracking down on motorists who drive their vehicles antisocially, and setting up a new Sexual Assault Referral Centre for victims of serious sexual assaults.

Mrs Thornton hoped the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) opening in Berkshire in 2011 would encourage more people to “stick with” court action, with support and advice provided under one roof.

The location has not yet been finalised but it would cost about £100,000 per year to run, leased from the local health authority.

SARCs offer counselling and advice on court cases and sexual health.

Mrs Thornton said victims of sexual assaults were currently driven to different places to receive these services.

She said: “It’s better to take someone to Berkshire where they can have all the services under one roof than drive them around different locations in Oxfordshire.”

Last year, the force fell just shy of its target to solve a quarter of all sexual offences, hitting 23.9 per – although the figure was up on the previous year.

Mrs Thornton added: “Neighbourhood policing is working really well.

“In Oxfordshire there are 300 officers and PCSOs.

“I think there are a lot of good things going on, from making sure the old folk get the best healthcare during the snow to dealing with local issues like antisocial behaviour.

“But I don’t think we’re as good as we can be in communicating that to the local community.

“We also want to work more closely with local businesses to make sure they are protecting themselves from the threat of terrorism. Prevention is better than waiting for something to happen.”

The police authority’s latest quarterly report revealed officers last year exceeded 13 of 16 targets set to monitor their performance and crime detection rates.

Officers improved public confidence, disrupted 46 organised gangs of criminals – one more than their target – and slashed the number of serious crimes, like burglary and robbery, by 8.5 per cent.

Lead police authority member for performance Martyn Griffiths said: “These targets have been achieved against the backdrop of efficiency savings of over four per cent by the force.

“Although we’re on the right road, further improvement can be made, and the police authority will be pushing for this to continue in this year and beyond.”

eallen@oxfordmail.co.uk