Thames Valley Police Federation has funded a new Welfare Van giving members a welcome break when they’re attending incidents and large events.
The van is fully heated and has a table with four seats where, in post-distancing times, officers will be able to sit together and unwind.
There will be light snacks and hot drinks on offer, and there’s a microwave available. There’s also a toilet room that includes a large space where officers can get changed out of wet kit.
Thames Valley Police Federation Health and Wellbeing Lead Andy Fiddler said he’d seen the vans being used successfully by Federations in other areas of the country and that he hoped the new TVP van would have lots of benefits for members.
He said: “We’ve had various very large-scale incidents in our force over the last couple of years, with mass deployments of officers. We’ve had to try to borrow the vans that are around the country to come down to support our officers.
“What we wanted was for our own van within the force so we can give a direct benefit to our members, with the use of that van at both incidents and to be pre-booked for planned events. The use around the country is phenomenal and the feedback from these vans is fantastic.”
Thames Valley Police Federation bought the van and kitted it out, but the force will now cover the ongoing maintenance costs, insurance, fuel and all the food and drink.
Andy said the Federation and force might – in the future - add extras such as a hot plate, so that they can provide bacon and vegetarian sandwiches to those on nights and early shifts.
“Every single police officer in Thames Valley will benefit from this,” said Thames Valley Police Federation Chairman Craig O’Leary
He added: “This is the result of three or four years of hard work by the Federation and others in getting this welfare van out there, serving our members in Thames Valley.
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