A PANEL that reviews policing in the Thames Valley should hold its meetings in more than one area, according to a new report by councillors.

Oxford City Council’s scrutiny committee said the police and crime panel should be required to hold meetings across the region it covers, instead of only convening in Aylesbury.

During a meeting last month, a representative of the panel told councillors that the location was originally rotated but the practice was stopped because members complained about having to travel long distances.

But the city council committee called for this to be changed.

Its report recommends: “The PCP are asked to look again at rotating meetings around the Thames Valley area to encourage public engagement and focus on local issues.”

It also said there was ‘very limited public engagement’ and questioned whether this was because of the limited powers available to the panel, which can only ask police and crime commissioner Anthony Stansfeld questions.

Committee member Nigel Chapman complained the panel was ‘toothless’.

Councillors also called for Mr Stansfeld to hold a consultation on a new ‘police and crime plan’, a document which will set out priorities in the Thames Valley.

It was due to be launched in April but there was ‘no consultation’, they said.