THE relationship between Gypsy Roma Traveller communities and Thames Valley Police is being reviewed after a police officer complained of race discrimination.

PC Jim Davies, an English Romany Gypsy, reached a non-financial settlement with Thames Valley Police following the complaint.

An independent review of how Thames Valley Police engage with the traveller communities has now been launched following the issues and observations raised by PC Davies.

The review will look at existing policies and procedures to ensure Thames Valley Police serves all of its communities and ensures that any racial stereotyping or outdated practices and procedures are amended or removed.

PC Davies will be instrumental in assisting in this process, as will the newly formed GRT (Gypsy Roma Traveller) Police Association.

Thames Valley Police said it will not tolerate any form of discrimination towards any minority group and strives to operate fully in compliance with good practice in relation to diversity and equality, both within the force and externally insofar as it best serves its communities, including the GRT community.

They will await the outcome of the findings and any recommendations of the independent review.

Police have been involved in a number of evictions of traveller site in High Wycombe over the last few months.

In April they helped enforce an eviction order to a group of travellers who illegally occupied the former Compair site it Hughenden.