Category: Anti-social behaviour

Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend stands beside a large blue sign that reads 'Welcome to Surrey Police headquarters'. Her hands are clasped and she is smiling at the camera. Lisa is wearing pink trousers and a green long-sleeved top.

“Back-to-basics policing is the cornerstone”: Commissioner launches new Police and Crime Plan for Surrey

Posted on | by Alex Winter

SURREY’S Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has unveiled a new blueprint for policing in the county over the next three years.

The Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan sets out the priorities she wants Surrey Police to concentrate on during the rest of her current term of office, which ends in 2028.

The Plan features a focus on ‘back to basics’ policing, preventing violence against women and girls, protecting Surrey’s most vulnerable residents, and ensuring the accountability, integrity and wellbeing of the Force’s officers and staff.

It was created following an extensive consultation period where nearly 3,000 residents gave their views, together with community groups, businesses, partners and victims’ services.

Police and Crime Commissioners are required to produce a Police and Crime Plan every four years and it will form the basis upon which Lisa holds the Chief Constable to account for the policing service Surrey Police provide.

Surrey Police is one of the fastest-improving forces in the country having more than doubled its charge rate in the past 12 months, with an additional 3,500 offences prosecuted.

Charges for burglary, assault, retail crime, rape and child abuse have significantly increased, and an additional 2,500 arrests have been made across all crime types.

But the Commissioner said there are challenges ahead. The Force has to find around £18million in savings over the next four years, while criminal justice delays are putting additional pressure on victims’ services.

The Force is also facing increasing demand on ‘hidden’ crime, such as domestic abuse, fraud, and the online exploitation of children, which target some of the most vulnerable people in Surrey.



Force among fastest-improving

Lisa said: “My mission as your Police and Crime Commissioner is clear.

“I want Surrey Police to focus on tackling those crimes that blight our local communities, while also taking persistent offenders off our streets.

“I promised that we would return to a ‘back to basics’ approach to policing, and this pledge forms the cornerstone of my Police and Crime Plan.

“Fighting crime, getting tough on offenders, and protecting Surrey’s most vulnerable residents must be at the heart of the Force’s priorities in the coming years.

“We carried out extensive consultation with residents, community groups, business leaders and victims’ services, as well as hosting 12 in-person and online Policing Your Community events over the autumn and winter.



‘Back to basics’

“I have heard loud and clear what those who live and work in Surrey want to see their policing teams do in our communities and they are making great progress.

“Surrey Police is one of the fastest-improving forces in the country, with 3,500 additional charges across all crime types in 12 months, as well as 2,500 more arrests.

“Charges for some of the crime types that are particularly important to residents, such as child abuse, burglary and retail crime, have dramatically improved.

“It is crucial that this fantastic progress is sustained so we can continue taking the fight to criminals who seek to gain a foothold in our communities.

“Surrey remains a wonderful place in which to live and work, and I am committed to working with the Chief Constable to deliver on the priorities outlined in my Plan.”

155 arrests, 25 years in prison for offenders and 10kg of suspected cocaine seized – Safer Redhill celebrates a year of success

Posted on | by Alex Winter

A YEAR of partnership working in Redhill has led to 25 years in prison for offenders and the seizure of 10kg of suspected cocaine.

Safer Redhill, an initiative designed to cut crime and foster pride in the town, brings together Surrey Police, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and YMCA East Surrey, as well as local business and community partners.

The initiative is supported by funding secured through the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, including £265,000 of Safer Streets funding and £58,000 from the Community Safety Fund.

The project adopts the College of Policing’s ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ framework, a three-stage approach where police ‘clear’ offenders from Redhill and work in tandem with interventions from partners to ensure it remains that way.

Campaign’s success

From joint drugs operations at Redhill train station to plain clothed officers deployed at night to spot suspicious behaviour, a huge range of activity has had extensive results, including:

  • 155 arrests for offences including assaults, burglary, drink driving, drug supply and shoplifting
  • 93 charges, of which 81 were charged and remanded
  • A combined prison time of 25 years for local offenders, with many more still to appear for trial
  • Two Criminal Behaviour Orders issued for anti-social behaviour and 80 Community Resolutions issued for offences such as possession of a small quantity of drugs, low value and first time shoplifting offences and minor public order incidents
  • Over £7,000 worth of fines, court costs and victim surcharges issued by the courts
  • 86 drug seizures, including 10kg of suspected cocaine
  • £89,000 cash recovered and weapons taken off the streets
  • 15 vehicles seized and driving disqualification penalties issued that total 8.5 years.

Alongside enforcement activity, the local policing team has built strong relationships within the town, from engaging with students at colleges and holding Meet the Beat sessions to licensing visits with the council’s Joint Enforcement Team.

‘Incredibly proud’

Borough Commander Jon Vale said: “I’m incredibly proud of the efforts of all our partners to address crime in Redhill and help people feel safer in the town.

“It’s a team effort and I’m grateful to all the businesses, organisations and residents who are supporting this project to take pride in Redhill.

“When our communities look at the number of arrests and charges we’ve made over the past year, I want to reassure residents that it’s through the work we’ve been doing that we’re able to seek out and clear this crime from the town.

“Surrey remains one of the safest counties in the UK and our enforcement activities have had a strong impact in Redhill. Since we began our increased police activity, we’ve seen a significant decrease in crimes such as shoplifting, sexual assaults, serious attacks, robbery and anti-social behaviour.”

Safer Redhill aims to have a lasting impact and there is significant work going on to improve the area.

Lasting impact

Local initiatives include solar lighting and a mural designed by young people in Memorial Park, detached youth work by the YMCA and women’s self defence classes by Redhill Boxing Club.

The latest addition to the town will be the installation of two bleed kits by the Safer Redhill partnership, which have been installed next to defibrillators as part of the town’s provision to support people in medical emergencies.

Results from the Force’s regular neighbourhood survey indicate these changes are making a difference, showing an increase in the community’s trust and confidence in the police.

Surrey Police will soon launch a bespoke survey for residents and visitors to Redhill to tell officers where to focus their continued efforts.

Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, stands in a high street. Behind her are shops and people walking. She wears a blue coat with its collar upturned. Her blonde hair is loose and she is smiling.

Surrey’s business community asked to have their say in retail crime survey

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, and Surrey Police’s Chief Constable, Tim De Meyer, are today asking members of the business community to have their say on the impact of retail crime.

It is recognised that retail crime has a significant impact in Surrey, and both the Commissioner and the Chief Constable are determined to deal with offenders robustly and listen closely to concerns.

Open letter to Surrey’s business community

While every effort has been made to share the survey with as many people as possible, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has urged recipients to share the link within their networks to allow us to hear from anyone who would like to respond.

Chief Constable Tim De Meyer said: “Retail crime is far from a ‘victimless crime’. It leads to fear and loss across a whole network from business owners to employees and customers – who are all part of a community we are here to protect.  

“We are committed to tackling retail crime head on, relentlessly pursuing those who steal from shops. To do so, we rely on thefts being reported so that we can identify hotspots and trends, act swiftly, and prevent crime from happening and catch the offenders where it does occur.   

“Pursuing all appropriate avenues to identify offenders, collect evidence, recover stolen property, ensure witnesses are located and interviewed, and get these crimes to court, is a priority for our officers.  

“Work continues to deal robustly with offenders of retail crime. We have made great strides in this area, but there is more to do. With your help, I am sure that we can improve even more.”

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, said: “Retail crime can impact entire communities.

“As well as the economic, emotional and sometimes physical harm caused, this criminality can make those who live and work in Surrey feel less safe. 

“Reports of retail crime are rising, not only in Surrey, but around the country. However, we are pleased to say that arrests, convictions and out-of-court interventions for retail crime are improving.

“There is more work to do and I urge Surrey’s business community to share their thoughts in our survey.”

Three people stand in a studio. On the left, a man stands with his hands by his sides. Sitting to his left is a young person with his back to the camera. Next, and in the middle of the standing group, is Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, who has her hand on the back of a chair. A woman stands with her hands clasped to Lisa's left hand side.

“It literally saved my life”: Meet the team using music and photography to prevent child exploitation

Posted on | by Alex Winter

SURREY’S Police and Crime Commissioner has told of her pride after visiting a service that helps criminally exploited children to reshape their lives. 

Lisa Townsend joined staff from Catch22 at their base in Farnham during February to celebrate their work with vulnerable young people. 

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) is the sole funder of Catch22’s Music To My Ears programme, which allows clients to explore music production, photography, film-making and writing. 

Over the past four years, almost £400,000 has been committed to the programme through the OPCC. 

Commissioner’s pride

Young people who have been exploited and used by county lines drug dealing operations, have previously gone missing in Surrey, or have been involved in serious violence are among those to attend the service. 

Music To My Ears offers voluntary attendance, meaning clients cannot be compelled to attend. However, many continue to work with the programme for months or years. 

During her visit, Lisa met with a teenager who is now attending a prestigious music college, four years after first coming to the service for support. 

Other clients say Music To My Ears has pulled them out of criminality, with one telling the team: “It has literally saved my life.” 

Currently, Catch22 are working on a one-to-one basis with around 80 young people between the ages of 10 and 18 in Surrey. They are also presenting to Surrey’s magistrates to raise awareness of the programme as an alternative intervention that may prevent criminality altogether. 

“It saved my life”

Lisa said: “We cannot know how many crimes have not been committed because of the team’s intervention, or how many young people have not entered the prison system in the first place through their work. 

“But it is clear the Catch22 team are changing the lives of young people in Surrey. 

“During my visit to Music To My Ears, I met with a young person who has changed his own life with the service’s support, and is now a promising musician at a fantastic college.

“There’s a wonderful future ahead of him because of the support he was able to access through Catch22.

Changing lives

“The programme is completely voluntary – young people create their own care plan, and can stay, or leave, as they wish. 

“This gives them an agency that they may never have felt and empowers them to make choices that can shape their lives. 

“Those who have been groomed or exploited can learn that it is not their fault, that help is out there, and that there are adults who will support them to break free from criminality. 

“I am so proud to fund the programme.” 

For more information, visit catch-22.org.uk 

Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, at Guildford train station with the Street Angels

20 ambulance call-outs averted each year by the team with pockets full of lollipops – meet the Street Angels

Posted on | by Alex Winter

THOUSANDS of conversations, 20 ambulance calls averted – and 3,500 lollipops handed out.

These are just some of the successes achieved by Guildford’s Street Angel volunteers every year.

The team, managed by Guildford Town Centre Chaplaincy, receive a crucial £5,000 grant each year from Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend‘s Community Safety Fund for a coordinator.

And last week, the Commissioner joined a Saturday night shift.

During the evening, Lisa and the team helped a young man who’d had too much to drink, visited the train station to make sure travellers were safe, and picked up glass bottles that could otherwise be used as weapons.

The volunteers give their time once a month between 11pm and 4am on a Friday or Saturday night to provide practical care and support to anyone who may have found themselves in a vulnerable state.

They help those who are intoxicated, homeless, or victims of assault – and are perhaps best-known for their pockets filled with lollipops.

Lisa has often supported the Angels with grants, most recently contributing £500 for volunteer uniforms, first aid kits, emergency blankets and flip-flops.

Volunteers have been giving their time for the past 17 years. The current team of 50 encounter 3,400 people, including 50 homeless people, and pick up more than 3,100 bottles in an average year. During their shifts, they walk around 10,000 steps.

Anyone interested in volunteering is urged to contact the Chaplaincy via their website, gtcc.org.uk/street-angels/

Lisa said: “I’m so proud to support the Street Angels, who make such a positive difference in Guildford.

Meet the Angels

“This evening, we’ve visited the train station, where we know trouble can happen during the evenings. We’ve spoken with door staff at a range of venues around the town and stopped to chat to young people enjoying their night out.

“The Angels all give their time to make sure their community is safe.

“Most people will know them for the lollipops, as well as the flip-flops they give to those who have given up on uncomfortable shoes, but all who encounter the team will remember their kindness and care.

“I’d encourage anyone with an interest to visit the team’s website and sign up for a trial volunteer shift.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend and Deputy PCC Ellie Vesey-Thompson with Keely Glithero and Sue Murphy from Catalyst Support to learn about their cuckooing service.

Little-known form of exploitation impacting hundreds in Surrey becomes a criminal offence

Posted on | by Alex Winter

A LITTLE-KNOWN form of exploitation that has affected hundreds of people in Surrey is set to become a specific criminal offence. 

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, has told of her joy after cuckooing was included in new legislation introduced to Parliament this week. 

Lisa co-commissions the county’s gold-standard Cuckooing Service in partnership with Public Health. The service is run by Catalyst Support. 

Cuckooing involves criminals taking over the homes of vulnerable people to use for offences including county lines drug dealing. 

Catalyst Support, which was honoured at Surrey Police’s Anti-Social Behaviour Awards late last year, helps victims, provides advice to those at risk, and aims to manage and resolve the risk of a property being closed by the courts. 

The service has long lobbied for cuckooing to be made a specific criminal offence. 

Commissioner’s joy

Previously, it was not a standalone offence, meaning perpetrators could only be punished for any associated offending. 

But yesterday, the Government confirmed that it will become an offence to control a person’s home in connection with criminal activity without consent, with a maximum of five years in prison or a fine for those who flout the new law. 

Since 2018, the Cuckooing Service has received 574 referrals from across the county and disrupted 66 organised criminal groups, known as OCGs, and 162 local drug dealers. 

Among the victims are a 93-year-old great-grandmother and a woman who was forced to sleep on her kitchen floor. Another victim returned home to find a drug production line in their property, while a fourth victim’s contact details were sold to an inmate in prison as part-payment for synthetic cannabis Spice. 

Last year, the service premiered Steven’s Story, a short film based on true events in Surrey. 

You can watch the video below.

Lisa, who also leads on Victims for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, said: “I’m absolutely delighted with the news that cuckooing is set to become a specific criminal offence. 

“This is a chillingly sinister form of exploitation that transforms homes from safe, private havens into prisons. 

“While anyone can be affected, victims are usually vulnerable in some way. They may be single parents, affected by domestic abuse, have a history of substance abuse, or be young, often with experience of the care system. 

“Criminals will take advantage of this vulnerability to cause significant, lasting harm. 

“Harm is also caused to entire communities, and police often become aware of a cuckooed property after neighbours call in persistent, severe anti-social behaviour. 

Vulnerable victims exploited

“What is most worrying is that victims of cuckooing may remain hidden from police and the agencies poised to support them, through fear or perhaps because they have a history of offending. 

“But if you’re in this terrible situation, you are a victim, and we can and will help you. There is a way out. 

“The brilliant team at Catalyst Support are changing lives. I urge anyone who needs support to get in touch.” 

Catalyst Support’s Cuckooing Outreach Service Manager Karen Jones said: “Catalyst Support Cuckooing team welcomes the first steps to recognising cuckooing as a stand-alone crime.  

“We hope that making it a criminal offence will make a difference to the support available to victims, as well as deter perpetrators from exploiting vulnerable people.  

“Hidden crime”

“Cuckooing has long been a hidden crime, and the impact it has on vulnerable victims has often not been recognised. We hope that the change in the legislation will help the victims to be seen and receive the support they require and build resilience to avoid further exploitation. 

“The guidance will help improve identification of cuckooing and allow professionals to take action.  

“We will continue our work as an assertive outreach service and provide further support to both victims and partner agencies to help address cuckooing in the community.” 

For more information, visit catalystsupport.org.uk, call 01483 590150, or text 07909 631623. 

Commissioner draws up plans for police priorities as roadshow attended by hundreds draws to a close

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Hundreds of Surrey residents have had their say on the issues that affect them most as the Policing Your Community roadshow returned during the autumn and winter.

The events, which took place in each of the county’s 11 boroughs, as well as online, gave audiences the opportunity to share their thoughts about crime and policing where they live.

The series kicked off in Guildford borough in late September, and concluded with an online meeting on January 13. Around 100 people attended the virtual event, where questions ranging from CCTV use in Guildford and Cobham to delays to court cases were asked.

During the meetings, hosted by Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, Surrey Police Chief Constable Tim De Meyer, and each of the Borough Commanders, a number of common concerns emerged.

These include anti-social behaviour, burglary, police visibility and shoplifting.

Hundreds have their say

The Commissioner will shortly launch her Police and Crime Plan, created with the input of residents, community groups, businesses and victims’ services across Surrey.

The Plan, which provides a blueprint for policing priorities in the county until 2028, will reflect the concerns raised by communities.

Lisa is also currently asking residents what they’d be prepared to pay to support policing in Surrey. You can have your say HERE.

Surrey Police is dedicated to tackling crime. In the past 12 months, the force has more than doubled its charge rate, with an additional 3,500 offences prosecuted.

An additional 2,500 arrests have been made, and both burglary and assault with injury charges have increased by 90 per cent, while shoplifting offences have increased four-fold, with 876 more offences charged across the country.

Charges more than double

Meanwhile, charge rates for offences related to violence against women and girls, rape and child abuse have doubled.

Funding secured by the Commissioner is being used across the county to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime hotspots in 10 of the 11 boroughs.

The Commissioner said: “The most crucial part of my role is to represent the voices of Surrey’s residents when it comes to policing.

“The Policing Your Community events allowed both myself and the Chief Constable to hear what people are most concerned about where they live, and to answer any questions they may have.

‘Taking the fight to criminals’

“My upcoming Police and Crime Plan, which sets the priorities for police in Surrey, will reflect some of the issues we have heard during the roadshow.

“The Chief’s own plan, which is designed to take the fight to criminals by relentlessly pursuing the most prolific offenders, tackling pockets of lawlessness, and driving drug dealers and shoplifting gangs out of the county, is working.

“Surrey Police is one of the fastest-improving forces in the country, and our officers and staff are more determined than ever to make this county a hostile place for criminality.

“In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing more about my plans for the coming years, and I’ll be highlighting some of the fantastic work that goes on day in, day out by our hard-working teams.”

Commissioner Lisa Townsend wears a long-sleeved dress, and has her hands clasped in front of her. Chief Constable Tim De Meyer stands to Lisa's left. He is wearing his uniform and smiling at the camera. He holds his police hat in his right hand. Between Lisa and Tim is a colourful waist-height sign that reads 'Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey'

Would you be prepared to pay a little extra council tax to maintain policing improvements? Have your say!

Posted on | by Nathan Rees

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend is asking Surrey residents whether they would be prepared to pay a little extra to support the county’s “fastest-improving” police service over the coming year.

In the last 12 months, Surrey Police has more than DOUBLED its charge rate, with an additional 3,500 offences being prosecuted. It has also made over 2,500 more arrests and made dramatic improvements in tackling offences important to residents such as burglary, shoplifting, child abuse and rape.

The Commissioner says this has made Surrey Police one of the fastest-improving forces in the country.

But in order to maintain this momentum, protect victims and continue to make our communities even safer, Lisa says Surrey Police desperately need funding to ensure that hard work isn’t undone.  

Those who live in Surrey are being invited to fill in a brief survey on whether they would support an increase of a little over £1 extra a month on an average council tax bill for 2025/26.

Have your say here.

One of the Commissioner’s key responsibilities is to set the overall budget for Surrey Police. That includes determining the level of council tax raised for policing in the county, known as the precept, which funds the Force together with a grant from central government. 

In December, the Government announced their policing settlement for the next financial year which stated that Police and Crime Commissioners are allowed to request an additional £14 per Band D property.

This equates to little over £1.16 a month on an average household, or 4.3 per cent across all council tax bands.

Every pound of precept amounts to an extra half-a-million pounds in the policing budget.

The Commissioner said that the contributions the Surrey public make through their council tax contributions are “absolutely vital” and have been paying dividends over the last 12 months.

Burglary and assault with injury charges have both increased by 90 per cent, while shoplifting charges have increased four-fold with 876 more offences charged across the county.

Charge rates for offences related to violence against women and girls (VAWG), rape and child abuse have doubled, and the Force now among the fastest improving nationally for serious sexual offences and stalking and harassment.

There have been 20 per cent more arrests year-on-year,​ with an average of 50 more per week, while the number of outstanding suspects has reduced by a third.

‘Impressive’

Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend said: “When I set the police budget last year, I pledged that Surrey residents’ council tax contributions would be focused on what policing does best – fighting crime in our local communities, getting tough on offenders and protecting people.  

“The progress we have seen over the last 12 months has been really impressive. The charge rate has been doubled and huge strides have been made in tackling those crimes important to our residents such as burglary, shoplifting and violence against women and girls

“The Chief Constable’s plan is working, and Surrey Police is one of the fastest improving forces in the country. But there is still more to do.

“During our recent Policing Your Community roadshow, residents told me loud and clear how they value that visible local policing presence in their communities and getting a swift and effective police response when they need it.

Survey launches

“I want to ensure our local policing teams are properly funded so we can continue to improve that service to our communities.

“While it is great news that Surrey Police are arresting more criminals, and long may that continue, delays in the criminal justice system mean that victims are waiting longer for those cases to come to court.

“These can be some of the most vulnerable people in our society and it is really important that we properly support them through this difficult process. I want to ensure we invest in those fantastic services in the county that provide truly life-changing support to those victims of crime in Surrey.

“In order to achieve this and maintain the success of the last year, I need to make sure our police teams have the right resources in the face of some difficult financial challenges.

Have your say

“The reality is that the government settlement this year will not cover the increased costs we continue to face in Surrey, and we must make up a shortfall in both the police officers’ pay increase and the rise in employers National Insurance.

“The Force is making every effort to find efficiencies across the board to ensure we provide the very best value for money for our residents. But they still must find in the region of £18m in savings over the next four years. 

“That is why I must balance the burden on the public with ensuring I give the Chief Constable the tools to keep the Force’s head above water and continue to take the fight to criminals in our county.

“Any gap in funding will mean further savings having to be made, including cuts to the workforce. The Force may have no choice but to reduce some of the services which the public value the most – such as taking calls, investigating crimes and detaining suspects.

Force improvements

“Our policing teams do a fantastic job keeping our communities safe. I want Surrey Police to build on the brilliant progress they have made over the last year and continue to tackle those issues that are priorities for you.

“It is important to me to find out what Surrey residents think and whether they would be willing to pay a little extra to support our policing teams again this year.

“So I would ask everyone to take a minute to fill out our brief survey and give me their views.” 

The council tax survey will close at midnight on 1 February 2025. For more information, visit this link.

You can also read an open letter from the Commissioner here, and find frequently asked questions here.

Just days left to have your say on policing priorities in Surrey for the next three years

Posted on | by Alex Winter

It’s the last chance to have your say on what you think the policing priorities in your community should be.

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend is urging residents to fill in a brief survey that will help shape policing in the county for the next three years.

The poll, which allows respondents to pick the issues they’d like to see Surrey Police focus on, closes this Thursday, December 12.

It is anonymous, takes just a few minutes to complete, and can be filled in here:

Surrey Police and Crime Plan 2025-2028

Just days remain to have your say

The answers will help the Commissioner draw up her Police and Crime Plan, which provides the blueprint for policing in Surrey until 2028.

It will be published in early 2025 and will cover her current term of office.

Lisa was re-elected for a second term of office in May this year and has pledged to ensure Surrey Police implement a ‘back-to-basics’ approach to policing in the county.

She said: “Time is running out for Surrey’s residents to put their voices at the heart of policing.

‘Get offenders off our streets’

“My survey will close on Thursday, and I’d urge anyone who hasn’t yet had their say to fill it in.

“I want Surrey Police to focus on tackling those crimes that blight our local communities and to target persistent offenders and take them off our streets.

“But it’s really important that I hear from as many people as possible about what is happening where you live and what you want to see your police teams focus on in the future.

“The Force is making great strides, with an additional 3,500 charges across all crime types in the past 12 months. We must sustain that fantastic progress, but there are challenges ahead and tough choices will have to be made on where we focus resources.

“That’s why I want to concentrate on what Surrey residents say is most important to them.”

Join local events

For more information on the Police and Crime Plan, visit Surrey-PCC.gov.uk/police-and-crime-plan/consultation-2024

The Commissioner and Chief Constable Tim De Meyer are currently touring the county for the Policing Your Community roadshow.

The final in-person event takes place this Wednesday, December 11 at Haslemere Museum in Waverley borough. An online event for those who were unable to join their nearest meeting will then be hosted on January 13 next year.

For more information, or to sign up, visit Surrey.Police.uk/police-forces/surrey-police/areas/au/about-us/in-the-community/

Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend stands in front of a room of people who sit facing her. She is smiling. Beside her is a large television which has the words 'any questions?' on the screen. To her left are two police officers in uniform. The picture was taken at the Policing Your Community event in Elmbridge.

Lisa Townsend speaks to an audience at the Policing Your Community event in Elmbridge this autumn

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend standing outside Sainsbury's in Redhill town centre

Reports of shoplifting in Surrey are increasing – and this is why I’m glad, Commissioner says

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner says she is “glad” reports of shoplifting are increasing in the county.

Lisa Townsend acknowledged that her response might seem “strange” to residents.

But rising reports are likely to reflect a more accurate picture of offending in Surrey – meaning police are better-equipped to respond.

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics last month, which take into account crime to the year ending June 2024, show that reports of shoplifting rose by 53 per cent in just 12 months.

This is the highest number of reported offences in this category since 2015.

However, provisional figures suggest that the Force is now arresting significantly more shoplifters.

Shoplifting rates rise in Surrey…

In the past 12 months, 837 more arrests for shoplifting were made than the previous year.

Shoplifting offences are increasing across the country. Nationally, reports rose by 29 per cent, and are now at the highest levels since recording began.

Surrey has previously recorded some of the lowest rates of shoplifting in England and Wales.

Lisa said: “We know that Surrey has often been hailed for the low number of shoplifting incidents reported.

“But I’m glad that this isn’t the case anymore.

“That may sound very strange to the public.

“However, the likely truth of those low numbers is that victims simply weren’t reporting these crimes to Surrey Police.

…But so do arrests

“I have spoken with a huge number of retailers through my work. Just last year, at the Policing Your Community event in Woking, I was told that a branch of the Co-op was seeing up to 20 thefts a day.

“The Force has openly encouraged victims of all offences to make sure they are reporting crimes. I hope that the increase in shoplifting rates is, at least in part, a reflection of that.”

The Commissioner said it is not always possible for victims to feel there has been a satisfactory conclusion to a report.

However, arrests are increasing.

“In the past year, we have seen 837 more arrests for shoplifting,” she said.

Myth-busting

“Across the board, the Force’s arrest rate has risen significantly. When it comes to shoplifting in particular, the arrest rate was 8.1 per cent – it is now 18.4 per cent.

“We still have a long road to travel, but we are certainly heading in the right direction.”

Lisa also said there is a “pervasive myth” that police will only attend if items worth more than £200 are stolen.

“Put as clearly as possible, this isn’t true,” she said.

“During a recent plain-clothed operation at Sainsbury’s in Redhill, I watched as a shoplifter was arrested for stealing items worth just £7.50.”

Force’s success stories

The issue has been repeatedly raised during the Policing Your Community events, which are currently taking place across the county.

Members of the public have heard some of the Force’s success stories.

At the event in Tandridge during late October, Borough Commander Lyndsey Whatley said three suspected members of an all-female organised crime group (OCG) have recently been charged.

In Spelthorne, Borough Commander Matt Walton revealed his team’s shoplifting detection rate is up by 50 per cent.

And in Guildford, three shoplifters connected to organised criminality have recently been jailed for stealing almost £200,000-worth of goods from supermarkets.

‘Report it’ plea

The thieves are believed to be responsible for more than 100 crimes targeting large supermarkets.

Surrey Police’s investigators worked in partnership with Tesco, wading through hours of CCTV footage, to secure the convictions.

Lisa said: “The Chief Constable, Tim De Meyer, takes shoplifting incredibly seriously.

“When I speak to officers, they take it incredibly seriously.

“Shoplifting is not a victimless crime, and we urge retailers to continue reporting offences as and when they occur.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa standing by supermarket trolleys

Lisa Townsend has urged victims of shoplifting to keep reporting offences