THE former commissioner for the Metropolitan Police has been appointed to the Thames Valley Partnership.
Sir Ian Blair will chair the voluntary crime prevention organisation, which supports local authorities, police, community groups and welfare, health and other agencies to reduce crime and create safer communities.
He resigned his position as the most powerful police chief in the country in October last year after disagreements with the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.
It followed a series of high-profile incidents, including the botched anti-terrorist operation in which plumber Jean Charles de Menezes was shot by police who mistook him for a suicide bomber.
Sir Ian, 56, a former deputy chief constable of Thames Valley Police, said he was looking forward to chairing the partnership.
He said: “Having shed the uniform and responsibilities of dealing with the consequences of crime, I am now eager to bring my experience to focus on preventing it in the first place, for the benefit of every community in the Thames Valley.
“There are huge personal, social and taxpayer costs in coping with the consequences of crime. It is cheaper, and much less tragic in human terms, if we act to prevent crime.
“This region is already a national leader in crime prevention strategies but there is still much we can do to improve co-ordination between agencies and to collaboratively share resources.
“Coping with crime will continue to be a major national debate and I intend to ensure that the voice and interests of the Thames Valley is properly represented in that debate so that we can build safer and better communities in our own neighbourhoods.”
Lindsey Poole, chief executive of the Thames Valley Partnership, said: “Sir Ian not only brings 30 years’ experience but he has been a long-standing and leading advocate for community-based projects such as ours that reduce crime and create safer communities.
“His energy and expertise, plus local knowledge, will be critical in helping to ensure the Thames Valley remains at the forefront of developing the initiatives that make us all feel, and actually be, safer in our neighbourhoods.
“The current economic climate impacts most on vulnerable communities and those that are the most susceptible to crime. The likelihood of public funding cuts means less money will have to be spread further, making it critical that we in Thames Valley maximise the available resources.”
Gerry Marshall, chief probation officer for the Thames Valley, said: “This is a bold, imaginative and sensible appointment. We have made considerable progress in recent years in successfully deploying crime prevention initiatives and I look forward to working with Sir Ian.”
wine trade. He said: “I thought it was probably time to move on. Perhaps securing sponsorship is for someone a little younger.
“I got as much of a buzz from the activities of the Henley Festival Trust as from the festival itself because the trust runs some wonderful projects.
“The festival is five days of terrific excitement every year but the trust’s activities are all-year round.”
Mr Clark added: “I’m delighted that Gill has been appointed CEO. I feel the festival will go from strength to strength and I look forward to coming next July to check up on it.”
Mrs Mitchell said: “We wish Sam all the best in his new pursuits using his skills in arts, management, fund-raising, wine and particularly music.
“We thank him for his years of success in bringing valuable sponsorship to the festival.”
She added: “Next year will have one of the most exciting line-ups in recent years, which will be announced in January. We are looking at new ways to make it exciting and even more special.”
For more on the new CEO, watch the Standard’s latest video at www.henleystandard.co.uk
Published on 16 November 2009
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