CONSERVATIVE MPs have celebrated the news that Thames Valley Police will get more funding to tackle crimes like burglary, robbery, and vehicle theft.

Home Secretary Priti Patel announced a funding boost to police forces across England and Wales to deal with these crimes and more as part of the Safer Streets Fund.

Our area, the Thames Valley Policing area, will receive £401,950 of funding in an effort to tackle crime by increasing street lighting and CCTV, among other crime prevention measures.

READ MORE: Violence and sexual offences now the most reported crime in Wokingham

The money itself will go to the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley to spend.

The news has been celebrated by Conservative MPs Sir John Redwood and Adam Afriyie.

Sir Redwood, MP for Wokingham, said: “I am pleased the Police Commissioner is active in tackling crime and gaining access to government money to help with this work. Burglary, vehicle theft and robbery are worrying crimes for people. I wish the Commissioner and Thames Valley Police success in finding more of the criminals and hope this financial contribution will assist.”

His colleague Adam Afriyie, the MP for Windsor, said: “I am delighted that the Police and Crime Commissioner has been able to secure this funding to support our police force in their work tackling burglary and theft in our community”.

Matthew Barber, the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley was elected last month. He is responsible for appointing the Chief Constable, setting the force budget, setting the police and crime objectives for the area through a police and crime plan, and working with other forces and partners to ensure policing objectives are met.

READ MORE: Matthew Barber is the next Thames Valley police and crime commissioner

According to Police.uk data, there were 129 crimes reported in Wokingham in April 2021. Of these, 46 were violence or sexual offences, 30 were reports of antisocial behaviour, 31 were criminal damage and arson, and 40 incidents were recorded as ‘other crime’.

Meanwhile, in Windsor, there were 99 crimes reported in that month. Of those, 25 were violence or sexual offences, 15 were public order offences, 14 were reported drug offences, and there were ‘other crime’ related reports.

This month’s cash injection was the second round of funding that forms part of the Safer Streets Fund. A total of £18 million was dished out to 40 policing authorities in England and Wales this round.

The third round of the fund also opens on Thursday, allowing authorities another chance to bid for a further £25 million for 2021/22 which will focus on projects to help women and girls feel safer on our streets.

All Berkshire MPs were contacted for comment.