When Surrey’s trailblazing Chief Constable met Margaret Thatcher

Trailblazer

This week’s image, taken in 1984, shows former Surrey Police Chief Constable Brian Hayes shaking hands with then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

The photograph was taken at the opening of East Surrey Hospital.

The Chief Constable is regarded as a trailblazer by many in policing.

Appointed to the role in 1982, he remained in post for nine years.

Progressive changes

Mr Hayes was known for making a series of significant changes changes in management, operational deployment and technology.

The industrial coalminers dispute between the National Union of Mine Workers and the National Coal Board started the year this image was taken, and wouldn’t end until 1985.

Workers at collieries and power stations went on strike across England and Wales.

In some cases, the dispute turned violent, and police forces across the country helped each other out in ‘mutual aid agreements’.

Chief’s support

Surrey Constabulary, under the leadership of Mr Hayes, sent eight Police Support Units – the largest contingent to support other forces.

He also implemented the idea of ‘total geographical policing’.

This concept meant that officers had ‘ownership’ of a particular area, providing a base for problem solving – a system that is still in place today.

Following his career in policing, Mr Hayes stepped down in March 1991 to take up an appointment as one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Constabulary.

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