Thames Valley Police: Suspension on annual leave is lifted
Assistant Chief Constable Dennis Murray said: "There remain a small number of specific days where automated leave is suspended to meet operational needs, as has been the case in the past."We continuously monitor staffing levels to balance officer welfare with our duty to keep communities safe."
Previously, time off could not be booked from 31 May to 1 September automatically, a decision the force said was "not taken lightly".Responses on the Thames Valley Police Federation's Facebook page were mainly negative, with one member calling it "easily the worst year for booking annual leave I've seen in my career" and another saying morale was "at rock bottom"."It is already difficult to find enough weeks in a year to have a holiday without seeing a sea of red on the calendar," one said.But ACC Murray said, while it was reviewed regularly "to support officer welfare", the force had to "consider ways to best plan for key events during the busy summer period".
You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
6 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Monmouthshire's nominees at the Welsh Hospitality Awards
These awards aim to highlight excellence in Wales' vibrant hospitality industry, recognising outstanding businesses and individuals to showcase the very best in hotels, restaurants, bars, spas, and other sectors within the industry. Big Love is the 'UK's friendliest small festival' (Image: Facebook) First up in Monmouthshire's list of nominees Big Love, nominated for Best Local Festival. The four-day independent music and arts festival is held in Usk and has been coined the 'UK's friendliest small festival' – their home is even complete with an iron age fort. This value friendly festival pulls together the perfect lineup every year to keep punters dancing and smiling, all without breaking the bank. Big Love is fiercely independent and entirely self-funded since 2016, hosting a range of talent from the local area and around the world. Their big top tent and outdoor aerial stage host an array of activities and shows for all ages, from yoga and aerial classes to DJ workshops and art sessions. The Clarence Hall can accommodate up to 250 guests (Image: Facebook) For those who prefer a more 'civilised' venue to experience art, The Clarence Hall is nominated for Event Venue of the Year. This iconic landmark is situated in the centre of Crickhowell, sitting on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. It is the town's largest community event space, with a main hall that can accommodate up to 250 people. The venue features a large stage, balcony, entrance atrium, bar and kitchen for use by customers. The Clarence Hall hosts a number of large community events throughout the year, including seasonal markets and craft fairs, faith group activities, indoor physical activity and dance. They also host some themed events like gardening and arts activities, cinema screenings, exhibitions, book launches, public meetings and cultural celebrations. Cwmdu Campsite is nestled in the heart of the Brecon Beacons (Image: Web) Cwmdu Campsite is nominated for Camping Site of the Year and offers up anything a camper could want for their stay. This Visit Wales 4 Star Campsite has space for tents, campervans, caravans, motorhomes, trailer tents, and roof-top tents, and even hosts Duke of Edinburgh groups. They offer a modern take on camping, with glamping and holiday cottage options available for those who prefer a little more sparkle. The site is entirely dog-friendly, with all the usual amenities along with free Wi-Fi across the site and a mini spa complete with sauna and ice baths for use. The local village of Cwmdu has an excellent pub in The Farmers Arms within walking distance from the campsite for all visitors and campers to enjoy. Delta Hotels offer a range of activities for guests (Image: Web) If camping isn't quite your speed, you may prefer Hotel of the Year nominee Delta Hotels by Marriott St Pierre in Chepstow. This hotel has parts that have stood since the 16th century and has ties to King Henry V and the crown jewels. This former manor house sits in the heart of the Wye Valley and promises a range of activities and experiences for guests. You can sample dishes in the Cast Iron Bar and Grill or take a moment to bask in their renowned spa that offers an extensive range of treatments. Their grounds house one of Wales' most esteemed golf courses, allowing players to take advantage of their creative course design in the picturesque location of the Chepstow countryside. Chepstow Racecourse is nominated for Sports Venue of the Year (Image: Facebook) For lovers of other sports, Chepstow Racecourse is a go to. Nominated for Sports Venue of the Year, it's a staple of life in the town. It's the home of Wales' most 'prestigious' race meeting, the Coral Welsh Grand National, and with 30 meetings of both flat and jump racing this year, there is a fixture to suit any fan of horseracing. Alongside horseracing, the racecourse also holds events that includes a concert series during the summer months. Previous performers include icons like Tom Jones and country-royalty Shania Twain. Their themed race nights, like the upcoming 'Rum and Reggae Caribbean race night' offer up a unique take on the sport, giving those newer to it a reason to go and give it a try. A spokesperson for Chepstow Racecourse said: 'We're delighted to be nominated as Sports Venue of the Year at the Welsh Hospitality awards, it's an honour to be recognised among the best in Welsh sport, and we're incredibly proud of our team and the experience we offer our guests. 'Especially as we look ahead to our first ever Dragonbet Welsh Racing Festival in October, and the Coral Welsh Grand National in December. Along with our centenary year in 2026!" The Savoy Theatre is housed in a Grade II listed building (Image: David Broadbent) Last on the list of nominees for Monmouthshire is The Savoy Theatre in Monmouth, nominated for Best Theatre Wales. This incredible Grade II listed building offers up sensation 5-star entertainment year-round. The Savoy stands on the oldest knows theatre site in Wales and is one of the oldest operational theatres in the country. The theatre is managed and maintained by The Monmouth Savoy Trust, who aim to keep the venue as the premiere entertainment venue for Monmouth and the surrounding areas. The venue hosts everything from live music and festivals to stage shows and book talks with TV personalities, so there is something on their listings for any age group. The winners for the Welsh Hospitality Awards will be announced at an elegant ceremony set to take place on the 10th of September.
Daily Record
18 hours ago
- Daily Record
Donald Trump 'looking forward' to meeting John Swinney during trip to Scotland
The US President will meet the First Minister and Prime Minister during a trip that spans five days. Donald Trump said he is 'looking forward' to meeting the 'Scottish leader' John Swinney. Speaking to reporters before he began his travel to Scotland, the US president described his Turnberry golf course as 'the number one course in the world'. Trump said he was going to have dinner at Turnberry with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and 'then we're going to go to the oil capital of Europe, which is Aberdeen'. He added: 'We're going to have a good time. I think the Prime Minister and I get along very well.' Asked about meeting with the First Minister Swinney, President Trump said that he has a 'lot of love' for Scotland. He added: ' The Scottish leader is a good man, so I look forward to meeting him.' The president owns Trump Turnberry near Ayr and Trump International at Menie, near Aberdeen. Trump also indicated that he and Sir Keir Starmer could 'approve' the US-UK trade deal when they meet in Scotland. He said: 'We're going to be talking about the trade deal that we made and maybe even approve it.' The US website stated that the President is scheduled to arrive in Scotland at 8.20pm on Friday evening. This is a breaking news story - we'll bring you updates, pictures and video as it happens. Here you can get your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Daily Record, Sunday Mail and Record Online. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you. You can also check out our social media channels for live updates. Follow us on Twitter @Record_Politics for the latest news. Or you can catch all the action by following our team: @paulhutcheon, @andrewjquinn97 and @dennynews. We're on Facebook where you can join our Record Politics group for all our stories.
Scottish Sun
18 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Shoppers spot all-new Pringles flavours inspired by popular takeaways on sale in supermarket giant
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PRINGLES has brought out two exciting new flavours inspired by popular takeaway meals. Shoppers have spotted the two new flavours on Asda shelves, and they're selling for £1.88 a tube. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The Japanese Style Stir Fry flavour is one of the latest additions to the Passport range Credit: Facebook 2 The Passport range is inspired by flavours from around the world Credit: Facebook The new flavours are Japanese Style Stir Fry and Turkish Style Kebab. They're part of the crisp brand's limited-edition Passport range, which is inspired by flavours from around the world. Popular Instagram account John's Snack Reviews said the stir fry-inspired crisps tasted like "hot n spicy combined with spicy tomato but mild". On the Turkish Style Kebab crisps, he said: "Think doner kebab, tomato n curry spices." One commenter added: "I got the kebab ones today. I really like them. "Defo more kebab smell than taste. Taste to be is a generic meat taste but I would buy them again." Another person said they had managed to pick up the crisps for £1 in Iceland. More of the Pringles Passport range can be found in Iceland. The other flavours include Chinese Style Sweet & Sticky Wings, French Style Steak Frites and Thai Style Green Curry. They're all currently selling for £1.50, down from their usual price of £1.95. 'We need them!' Scream crisp fans after spotting new Pom Bear snack that rival Pringles At the start of the year, Pringles brought out a new flavour inspired by the US. The Blazin' Fried Chicken Pringles hit shelves in January. They're inspired by Nashville hot chicken, which is marinated in spices, deep fried, and then coated in cayenne sauce or just cayenne spice. In June, the crisp brand brought out the Flame Grilled Steak flavour. It was previously a convenience store exclusive but has now become more widely available. More new crisp flavours Crisp fans have been treated to plenty of exciting new flavours lately. Walkers revealed its first new Quavers flavour in three years will be in Tesco from the end of this month. The Red Leicester Quavers will then hit other major supermarkets in September. The flavour is already available to buy from Premier stores and Farm Foods. Elsewhere, Discos, owned by KP Snacks, is bringing back its beloved pickled onion flavour after it was last seen on shelves in 2005. The tangy snack will be sold in convenience stores across the UK from August 27, giving punters just a matter of weeks before they're reunited with the flavour.
