Category: News

Joint statement from Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend and Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson

Posted on | by Surrey PCC | Leave a Comment on Joint statement from Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend and Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson
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“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and offer our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family at this incredibly difficult time.”

“We will remain forever grateful for Her Majesty’s unwavering dedication to public service and she will remain an inspiration to us all. The Platinum Jubilee celebrations this year were a fitting way to pay tribute to the incredible 70 years of service she gave us as the longest serving monarch and Head of the Church of England in British history.”

“This is an incredibly sad time for the nation and her loss will be felt by many in our communities in Surrey, the UK and across the world. May she rest in peace.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend

Commissioner welcomes tougher sanctions for officers who commit violence against women and girls

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend has welcomed new guidance issued this week which sets out tougher sanctions for officers who face misconduct proceedings, including those who commit violence against women and girls.

Officers involved in such behaviour should expect to be sacked and barred from ever re-joining the service, according to the updated guidance released by the College of Policing.

The guidance sets out how chief officers and legally qualified chairs who carry out misconduct hearings will assess the impact on public confidence as well as the seriousness of the officer’s actions when making decisions on dismissals.

Further information on the guidance can be found here: Outcomes for police misconduct proceedings – updated guidance | College of Policing

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “In my view any officer involved in violence towards women and girls is not fit to wear to wear the uniform so I welcome this new guidance which sets out clearly what they can expect if they commit such behaviour.

“The vast majority of our officers and staff both here in Surrey and across the country are dedicated, committed and work around the clock to keep our communities safe.

“Sadly, as we have seen in recent times, they have been let down by the actions of a very small minority whose behaviour tarnishes their reputation and damages that public trust in policing which we know is so important.

“There is no place for them in the service and I’m pleased this new guidance puts a clear emphasis on the impact such cases have on maintaining confidence in our police.

“Of course, our misconduct system must remain fair and transparent. But officers who commit any form of violence against women and girls should be left in no uncertain terms that they will be shown the door.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend with local police officer in Stanwell

Commissioner secures £700,000 in Safer Streets funding for projects to improve safety in three Surrey communities

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend has secured over £700,000 in government funding to help tackle anti-social behaviour and improve safety in three areas of the county.

The ‘Safer Streets’ funding will help projects in Epsom town centre, Sunbury Cross and the Surrey Towers housing development in Addlestone after it was announced today that all three bids submitted for the county earlier this year have been successful.

The Commissioner said it was brilliant news for residents in all three communities who will benefit from a number of planned measures designed to make the areas safer places to live.

It is part of the latest round of the Home Office’s Safer Streets funding which has so far seen £120m shared across England and Wales for projects to tackle crime and improve safety.

The Police and Crime Commissioners Office submitted three bids totalling £707,320 after working with Surrey Police and borough and district council partners to identify areas most in need of support.

Around £270,000 will go towards improving safety and combatting anti-social behaviour, town centre violence and criminal damage in Epsom.

The funding will go towards helping modernise CCTV use, deliver training packages for licenced premises and the provision of safe spaces by accredited businesses in the town.

It will also be used to promote the services of the Street Angels and Street Pastors and the availability of free spiking detection devices.

In Addlestone, over £195,000 will be spent to tackle issues such as drug use, noise nuisance, intimidating behaviour and criminal damage to communal areas at the Surrey Towers development.

It will fund improvements to the security of the estate including resident only access to stairwells, the purchase and installation of CCTV cameras and additional lighting.

Increased police patrols and presence are also part of the plans as well as a new youth café in Addlestone which will employ a full time youth worker and give young people a place to go.

The third successful bid was for around £237,000 which will help introduce a number of measures to tackle youth-related anti-social behaviour in the Sunbury Cross area.

This will include residents only access, improved CCTV provision in the location, including the subways, and opportunities for young people in the area.

Previously, Safer Streets funding has supported projects in Woking, Spelthorne and Tandridge where funding helped improve security for women and girls using the Basingstoke Canal, reduce anti-social behaviour in Stanwell and tackle burglary offences in Godstone and Bletchingley.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Safer Streets bids for all three projects in Surrey were successful which is great news for those living and working in those areas.

“I have spoken to residents across the county and one of the key issues that is raised repeatedly with me is the impact of anti-social behaviour on our communities.

“This announcement comes off the back of Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week where I pledged to continue working with our partners in the county to take positive steps to combat ASB.

“So I am really pleased to see that the funding we have been able to secure will help tackle those issues which have been causing concern for local people and make these three areas safer places for everyone to live in.

“The Safer Streets Fund is an excellent initiative by the Home Office which is continuing to make a real difference to our communities. I will ensure my office continues to work with Surrey Police and our partners to identify other areas that could benefit from this extra funding in the future.”

Ali Barlow, T/Assistant Chief Constable with responsibility for Local Policing said: “I’m delighted that Surrey has been successful in securing funding through the Home Office Safer Streets initiative which will see investment in key projects in Epsom, Sunbury and Addlestone.

“I know how much time and effort goes in to submitting applications for funding and we have seen, through previous successful bids, how this money can make a real difference to the lives of communities involved.

“This £700k investment will be used to improve the environment and tackle anti-social behaviour which continues to be a key priority for the Force working with our partners and with the continued support of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

“Surrey Police has made a commitment to the public that they will be kept safe and will feel safe living and working in the county and Safer Streets funding helps us to do just that.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend signing up to anti-social behaviour principles

Commissioner signs up to principles to mark ASB Awareness Week

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has marked Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week by signing a commitment to continue working closely with partners to tackle issues in Surrey’s communities.

The Commissioner joined senior colleagues from Surrey Police, Surrey Fire and Rescue, Surrey Crimestoppers and Surrey County Council in agreeing to the National Anti-Social Behaviour Principles at an event this week.

The principles set out how partners commit to working together to tackle the causes of ASB, encourage victims to come forward and be taken seriously and to take appropriate action to solve problems in our local communities.

The Commissioner has also been out and about talking to councillors and residents in Woodhatch and Caterham to discuss ASB issues in those areas.

The PCC’s office has a key role to play in the Community Trigger process in the county which is powerful tool to help with persistent ASB problems.

It also funds a number of projects including a mediation service which includes a victim coaching service and a number of activities for young people in the county to divert them from criminality.

The Joint Enforcement Teams, or JETs, that were set up in a various parts of the county thanks to PCC funding also have an important role to play in tackling ASB across Surrey.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “”There is already a really strong partnership approach in the county so I was delighted to sign up to the Principles this week to cement that commitment to working together to tackle ASB.

“This type of criminality is often regarding by some as low level but we know that in truth it can destroy someone’s quality of life and escalate into something far more serious.

“I know from speaking to residents across the county how highly they value the role our local policing teams play in tackling ASB issues in our communities.

“So, I was really pleased to see Surrey Police maintain its ‘outstanding’ rating in preventing anti-social behaviour following our recent inspection by HMICFRS – an area that features prominently in my Police and Crime Plan for the county.

“This grading was primarily down to the problem-solving approach the Force has worked hard to adopt in recent years in tackling the causes of ASB. This is continuing to pay dividends and is really good news for residents.

“So this week, I am supporting ASB Awareness Week and making sure this remains one of my key priorities during my term of office as Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey.”

back of female police officer

It’s the least they deserve for the amazing job they do – Commissioner pleased to see pay rise for officers announced yesterday

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend said she was pleased to see hard working police officers recognised with a well-earned pay rise which was announced yesterday.

The Home Office revealed that from September, police officers of all ranks in England and Wales will receive an extra £1,900 – equivalent to a 5% increase overall.

The Commissioner said the overdue rise will benefit those at the lower end of the pay scale and while she would have liked to see even more recognition for officers, she was pleased that the government had accepted the pay recommendations in full.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “Our policing teams work around the clock in often difficult circumstances to keep our communities safe in Surrey and I believe this pay award is the least they deserve to recognise the amazing job they do.

“I’m pleased to see that in terms of a percentage increase – this will reward those officers at the lower end of the pay scale more which is definitely a step in the right direction.

“The last few years have been a particularly tough for our officers and staff who have often been at the frontline of dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic and have been going above and beyond to police our county.

“The inspection report from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) released earlier this month highlighted the welfare of our officers needed to be a key area of focus in Surrey.

“So I hope this pay increase will at least go some way to helping ease the pressures they face with rise in the cost of living.

“The Home Office have said the government will be part funding this rise and will be supporting forces with an additional £350 million over the next three years to help cover the associated costs of the pay award.

“We need to examine the detail closely and in particular what this will mean for our future plans for the Surrey Police budget.

“I would also like to hear from the government what plans they have to ensure our police staff who play an equally important role are also properly rewarded.”

Community Safety Assembly

Services commit to joined up response at first Community Safety Assembly in Surrey

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The first Community Safety Assembly in the county was held this May as Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend united partner organisations with a shared commitment to work more closely together.

The event launched the new Community Safety Agreement between partners that include Surrey Police, local authorities, health and victim support services across Surrey. The Agreement outlines how partners will work together to improve community safety, by enhancing the support for individuals affected or at risk of harm, reducing inequalities and strengthening collaboration between different agencies.

The Assembly organised by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey welcomed representatives from over 30 organisations to the Dorking Halls, where they discussed how to improve the joint response to community issues including antisocial behaviour, mental ill-health, and criminal exploitation. The meeting was also the first time that representatives from each of the organisations had met in person since the start of the pandemic.

Group work on a variety of topics was accompanied by presentations from Surrey Police and Surrey County Council, including the Force’s focus on reducing violence against women and embedding a problem-solving approach to preventing crime across the service.

Throughout the day, members were asked to consider the bigger picture of so-called ‘low level crime’, learn to spot the signs of hidden harm and discuss potential solutions to challenges including barriers to sharing information and building public trust.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Lisa Townsend, who is also the Association of Police and Crime Commissioner’s national lead for Mental Health and Custody, said: “Every organisation has a role play in reducing vulnerabilities that can lead to harm in our communities.

“That’s why I’m proud that the Community Safety Assembly held for the first time by my office has brought such a wide spectrum of partners under one roof to discuss how we can all take steps to deliver a more joined-up response within the new Community Safety Agreement for Surrey.

“We heard from partners about what we can learn from the amazing work that is already happening across our county, but also had really open conversations about what doesn’t work so well and how we can improve.

“It is important that we spot the signs of harm earlier and address gaps between agencies that can prevent individuals from accessing the right support. For example, we know that mental ill-health has a significant impact on policing and this is one of the areas that I am already discussing with our health partners to ensure the response is coordinated so that individuals receive the best possible care.

“The Assembly was just the start of these conversations, that form part of our ongoing commitment to together improve safety right across our communities.”

Find out more about the Community Safety Partnership in Surrey and read the Community Safety Agreement here.

You can see our dedicated page for updates following the Community Safety Assembly here.

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson looking at an ipad with a student from Surrey

Local student leads rebrand of Commissioner’s office as team boost engagement with Surrey residents

Posted on | by James Smith | Leave a Comment on Local student leads rebrand of Commissioner’s office as team boost engagement with Surrey residents

A graphic design student at the University of Creative Arts in Farnham has led the design of a brand-new look for the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner as part of a commitment to expand engagement with communities across Surrey.

During my time with Akiko I worked closely with the designers and Commissioner’s team meaning I learned lots about how an original idea is developed through different versions, and about things I didn’t know before such as the different pantone colours to use.

Jack Dunlop

22-year old Jack Dunlop from Camberley was chosen to develop his branding concept after taking part in a competition run as part of the Deputy Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson’s focus on increasing the opportunities available to children and young people in the county.
During a week-long placement with Akiko Design in Bramley, Jack received expert guidance to bring his vision to life, taking part in project meetings and receiving an iPad Pro and Apple pencil to aid in his future designs.
Over the week he developed valuable skills and an increased confidence to guide and exchange ideas with clients and to progress his design in a limited time.
Jack said: “I love making things visually appealing and always have ideas when I’m out and about for how I can improve the way that shops and other visual communication around me look.
“During my time with Akiko I worked closely with the designers and Commissioner’s team meaning I learned lots about how an original idea is developed through different versions, and about things I didn’t know before such as the different pantone colours to use.

“I got a lot more confident using different tools and joined in the discussions about the wider project, which was really interesting.
“In my last project at university we looked at branding, so it was really rewarding to be able to create real life branding and see that through the whole process. I’m going to be looking for a job in design after my degree so am excited that I’ll be able to talk lots about this experience.”
The brand is unveiled as the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner designate a new pot of funding for community organisations aimed at the safety of children and young people over the next three years.
The specific allocation of a Children and Young People’s Fund follows a £100,000 project with Catch22 to reduce the criminal exploitation of young people established in January, and longer term investments by the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner to increase the support available to children and young people at risk of, or affected by sexual violence.
Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson said: “It was brilliant to work with Jack and to see him grow in confidence throughout the week with the design agency.
“I am really excited to be able to launch our new branding look based on Jack’s concept and am so pleased that this experience will give him a big boost when he finishes his studies and applies for his dream job.
“We had a number of brilliant entries to our competition from young people all over the county, and we were really impressed by Jack’s submission and the thought he put in to developing his initial concept.
“Including a young person in this process was key for me from the beginning as we extend our reach to children and young people whose voices are important in policing Surrey.
“We’re listening to all residents who say they want us to engage better and more widely and the rebrand is one piece of the work that we are actively progressing to make the Commissioner, myself and the whole office more accessible, including more opportunities to provide feedback and have a say in the performance of Surrey Police.”
Carrie Crosland, Account Manager at Akiko Design said: “It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Jack to our office and to have supported his journey into design.
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Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend

Commissioner Lisa Townsend praises ‘outstanding’ crime prevention but says room for improvement elsewhere following Surrey Police inspection

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has praised Surrey Police’s achievements in preventing crime and anti-social behaviour after it was graded ‘outstanding’ in a report published today.

But the Commissioner said improvements were needed in other areas including how the Force responded to non-emergency calls and its management of high harm offenders.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) carry out annual inspections on police forces across the country into the Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy (PEEL) in which they keep people safe and reduce crime.

Inspectors visited Surrey Police in January to carry out its PEEL assessment – the first since 2019.

Their report published today found excellent examples of problem solving focused on local policing, good investigations, and a strong focus on guiding offenders away from crime and protecting vulnerable individuals.

It recognised that Surrey Police answered 999 calls quickly, exceeding the national target for the percentage of calls that were answered within 10 seconds. It also noted the use of the Checkpoint scheme in Surrey, that supports lower-level offenders to address the root causes of their offending in place of prosecution. The scheme is actively supported by the Commissioner’s Office and resulted in a 94% drop in re-offending in 2021.

The Force achieved ‘good’ ratings in investigating crime, the treatment of the public and protecting vulnerable people. They were also assessed as ‘adequate’ in responding to the public, developing a positive workplace and making good use of resources.

Surrey continues to have the 4th lowest crime rate out of 43 police forces in England and Wales and remains the safest county in in the South-East.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “I know from speaking to residents across the county how highly they value the role our local policing teams play in tackling issues important to our communities.

“So, I’m really pleased to see Surrey Police maintain its ‘outstanding’ rating in preventing crime and anti-social behaviour – two areas that feature prominently in my Police and Crime Plan for the county.

“Since taking office a year ago I have been out with policing teams across Surrey and I have seen how tirelessly they work to keep people safe. Inspectors found that the problem-solving approach the Force has worked hard to adopt in recent years is continuing to pay dividends which is good news for residents.

“But there is always room for improvement of course and the report has raised concerns about the management of suspects and offenders, in particular with regard to sex offenders, and the safeguarding of children in our communities.

“Managing the risk from these individuals is fundamental to keeping our residents safe – particularly women and girls who are disproportionately affected by sexual violence in our communities.

“This needs to be a real area of focus for our policing teams and my office will provide careful scrutiny and support to ensure plans put in place by Surrey Police are both prompt and robust in making the necessary improvements.

“I have noted the comments the report makes around how police deal with mental health. As the national lead for Commissioner’s on this issue – I am actively seeking better partnership working on both a local and national level to try and ensure policing is not the first port of call for those in mental health crisis and they get access to the proper clinical response they need.

“I would like to see progress in some of those areas graded ‘adequate’ in the report by providing the public with a policing service that is value for money and if they need the police, ensuring the response they receive is swift and effective.

“The report also highlights the high workload and wellbeing of our officers and staff. I know the Force are working really hard to recruit the extra officers allocated by government so I am hoping to see that situation improving for our workforce in the coming months. I know the Force share my views on the value of our people so it is important our officers and staff have the right resources and support they need.

“While there are clear improvements to be made, I think overall there is much to be pleased with in this report which reflects the hard work and dedication our officers and staff display on a daily basis to keep our county safe.”

Read the full HMICFRS assessment for Surrey here.

You can learn more about how the Police and Crime Commissioner monitors Force performance and holds the Chief Constable to account at https://www.surrey-pcc.gov.uk/transparency/performance/

More support for young people as Commissioner sets funding for year ahead

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

Close to half of Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend’s Community Safety Fund will be used to protect children and young people from harm as she sets her office’s budget for the first time.

The Commissioner has ringfenced £275,000 of the Fund to enable more children and young people to engage with the police and other agencies, avoid or leave harmful situations and receive specialist help and advice when they need it. It complements additional funding that will continue to be provided by the Commissioner to support victims of crime and reduce repeat offending in Surrey.

The specific allocation of a Children and Young People’s Fund follows a £100,000 project with Catch22 to reduce the criminal exploitation of young people established in January, accompanied by longer term investments by the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner to increase the support available to children and young people at risk of, or affected by, sexual violence.

It comes after the Commissioner marked the anniversary of her first year in office in May with a vow to remain focused on the public’s priorities that are included in her Police and Crime Plan for Surrey. They include reducing violence against women and girls, ensuring safer Surrey roads and improving the relationships between Surrey residents and Surrey Police.

Money from the new Children and Young People’s Fund has already been awarded to support the first Surrey Police ‘Kick about in the Community’ football event that aimed to break down the barriers between Surrey Police officers and young people in the county. The event in Woking was held as part of the Force’s focus on children and young people and was supported and attended by representatives from Chelsea Football Club, local youth services and partners including Fearless, Catch 22 and MIND charity.

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson, who is leading the Office’s focus on children and young people, said: “I’m passionate about ensuring our impact in Surrey includes hearing the voices of children and young people, who have a unique experience of safety and policing in our communities.

“Together with the Commissioner, I’m proud that allocating this specific funding will help more local organisations to enhance the opportunities for young people to thrive, and to access tailored support that works to address the barriers we know prevent young people from speaking up or asking for help.

“It could be something as simple as having a safe place to go to spend their free time. Or it could be having someone they trust who can spot the signs and offer advice when something doesn’t feel right.

“Ensuring these services can reach more young people is important both to support individuals who are at risk or who experience harm, but also to strengthen the long-term impact on their future decisions, and on their relationships with the people and environments around them as they grow up.”

The Children and Young people’s Fund is available to organisations that work to enhance the lives of children and young people in Surrey. It is open to local activities and groups that have a positive impact on children and young people’s wellbeing, provide a safe space or route away from potential harm or that encourage increased engagement between the police and other agencies that prevent crime, reduce vulnerability and invest in health. Interested organisations can find out more and apply via the Commissioner’s dedicated ‘Funding Hub’ pages at https://www.funding.surrey-pcc.gov.uk

Anyone who is concerned about a young person or child is encouraged to contact the Surrey Children’s Single Point of Access on 0300 470 9100 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday) or at cspa@surreycc.gov.uk. The service is available out of hours on 01483 517898.

You can contact Surrey Police by calling 101, via Surrey Police social media pages or at www.surrey.police.uk. Always dial 999 in an emergency.

Commissioner welcomes new law that will help close the net on domestic abusers

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend has welcomed a new law that makes non-fatal strangulation a stand-alone offence that could see domestic abusers jailed for five years.

The law came into effect this week, as part of the new Domestic Abuse Act which was introduced in April.

The shockingly violent act is often reported by survivors of domestic abuse as a method used by the abuser to frighten and exert power over them, resulting in an intense sense of fear and vulnerability.

Research shows that the behaviour of abusers who commit this type of assault is significantly more likely to escalate and lead to fatal attacks later on.

But it has been historically difficult to secure prosecutions at an appropriate level, as it often results in few, or no marks left behind. The new law means it will be treated as a serious offence that can be reported at any time and be taken to Crown Court.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “I am really pleased to see this devastating behaviour recognised in a stand-alone offence that acknowledges the serious nature of the harm caused by the perpetrators of domestic abuse.

“The new law strengthens the policing response against abusers and recognises it as serious offence that has a lasting traumatic impact on survivors both physically and mentally. Many survivors who have experienced this horrific act as part of a pattern of abuse helped to inform the new law. Now we must do everything in our power to ensure the victim’s voice is heard throughout the Criminal Justice system when charges are being considered.”

Reducing violence against women and girls, including victims of domestic abuse, is a key priority in the Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan for Surrey.

In 2021/22, the Commissioner’s office provided over £1.3m in funding to support local organisations to provide support to survivors of domestic abuse, with a further £500,000 provided to challenge the behaviour of perpetrators in Surrey.

Surrey Police’s Lead for Violence against Women and Girls Temporary D/Superintendent Matt Barcraft-Barnes said: “We welcome this change in law which allows us to close a gap that existed before where perpetrators were able to evade prosecution. Our teams will be able to use this legislation to focus on robustly pursuing and prosecuting perpetrators of abuse and increasing access to justice for survivors.”

Anyone concerned about themselves or someone they know can access confidential advice and support from Surrey’ independent specialist domestic abuse services by contacting the Your Sanctuary helpline 01483 776822 9am-9pm every day, or by visiting the Healthy Surrey website.

To report a crime or seek advice please call Surrey Police via 101, online or using social media. Always dial 999 in an emergency.