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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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.”
Lisa Townsend has urged victims of shoplifting to keep reporting offences
Closure orders, which are granted by magistrates’ courts, are issued for specific addresses linked to persistent crime. The order means the address can be closed to either an individual or a group of people for a specified period of time. Those who disobey the order can be arrested.
At a ceremony held at Surrey Police’s Mount Browne headquarters in Guildford on Wednesday, the officers – and in particular, anti-social behaviour specialist Dan Burrell – were recognised for their achievement.
Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, celebrated with the team after giving a speech to open the awards.
She said: “Spelthorne’s Safer Neighbourhood Team have been doing some amazing work to tackle anti-social behaviour.
“As well as the closure of the 16 properties in a single block, they are the first neighbourhood team in the country to shut down a brothel using sexual offences legislation. Victims who were being exploited were safeguarded immediately, and those living nearby were protected from further misery and harm
“This team is redefining our understanding of how closure orders can be used to drive out anti-social behaviour from communities around Spelthorne.
“I’m absolutely delighted to celebrate their fantastic achievement.”
“Amazing”
Spelthorne Borough Commander Matt Walton said: “I’m really proud of my team, who work so hard to make sure anti-social behaviour isn’t blighting the lives of residents in the borough.
“We’re also very lucky to have some fantastic partners who make our work possible.
“I’d like to thank Holly Abberley of A2 Dominion Housing, and Will Jack and Alex Lacey from Spelthorne Borough Council’s Community Safety Team, all of whom were also recognised with awards tonight.
“Without our partners, we wouldn’t have been able to get half of the results we’ve achieved for the community over the past few years.”
Two of the services funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner – Catalyst Support’s Cuckooing Service and Mediation Surrey – were also among the winners.
The team from Catalyst Support’s gold standard Cuckooing Service
Lisa Townsend pictured with the Mediaton Surrey team
What crimes do you think police should be tackling where you live? Now is the chance to have your say!
Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend is urging Surrey residents to fill in a brief survey that will help shape policing in the county for the next three years.
You can select what issues you want to see Surrey Police focus on as part of the consultation for her new Police and Crime Plan which is currently underway.
Your answers will help the Commissioner draw up her Plan, which will launch early next year and provide the blueprint for policing in the county until 2028.
Have your say
But you will need to be quick – the survey, which launched in October, will close on December 12 2024. It is anonymous, only takes a few minutes to complete, and can be filled in here:
It will be published in early 2025 and will cover her current term of office, which runs until 2028.
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.
‘Back to basics’
She said: “My mission is clear – 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.
“Over the autumn months, our Policing Your Community roadshow has been visiting every borough in the county where hundreds of residents have been giving us their views on policing where they live.
“I know there are issues that consistently cause concern such as anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, drug crime, the safety of women and girls and visible policing in our communities.
“But I want to hear from more of you about what is happening where you live and what you want to see your police teams focus on in the future.
“We have a good response so far to the survey and I want to thank all those who have already filled it in.
“But it is really important to me to hear from as many people as possible so if you haven’t done so already – please do take a few minutes to let me know what you think.
More are being charged
“Surrey Police is making great strides in tackling crime across the county with another 3,500 more charges over the last year, which is great news for our residents.
“I want to sustain that progress, but there are financial challenges ahead and some tough choices will have to be made on where we focus our resources.
“That is why I want to concentrate on what the Surrey public tell me is important to them and create a Police and Crime Plan that helps delivers a policing service they can be proud of.”
Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner has shared more information on how victims of support can access anti-social behaviour.
Lisa Townsend, who is currently asking members of the public to have their say on priorities for policing over the next three years, has shared Surrey-based resources during national Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week.
The week, which takes place between November 18 and 22, aims to raise awareness of the impact anti-social behaviour can have.
What is anti-social behaviour?
More than two thirds of people in a recent survey told us they had either been a victim of or witness to antisocial behaviour. But what exactly is it?
ASB covers a wide range of issues including:
Antisocial driving/speeding
Nuisance noise
Drug use or drug dealing
Dog fouling
Fly tipping
Graffiti
Littering
There are also some things that, while annoying, do not count as anti-social behaviour, which might include:
DIY or off-road car repairs (unless late at night or early in the morning)
Everyday living noises such as loud conversations, doors opening and closing, and lawnmowers in use
One-off occasional events such as birthday parties, barbecues, or other celebrations
Lawful use of fireworks
Property boundary disputes
Police and Crime Plan
Lisa has urged members of the public to fill out a survey that will inform the creation of her next Police and Crime Plan, a blueprint for Surrey Police’s priorities between 2025 and 2028.
The Commissioner says anti-social behaviour is one of the key issues raised by residents around the county.
She said: “It is my job to ensure your views on policing in Surrey are heard and that is why I now ask for your help in creating my new Police and Crime Plan.
“I want to make sure the public’s priorities for policing are my priorities too. This is why I want as many people as possible to fill out the survey and let me know your views.”
It only takes a few minutes to complete and can be filled in here:
The survey will remain open until December 12 2024.
Policing Your Community
The Commissioner is also learning more about anti-social behaviour in different Surrey towns and villages through her Policing Your Community roadshow, held in partnership with Surrey Police.
Anti-social behaviour covers a wide spectrum of incidents, which may include neighbourhood disputes, noise, rowdy behaviour, and poor driving.
It can also be linked to criminal offences, including speeding, violence, vandalism, and drug dealing.
Lisa said: “There is often a perception among those who attend my Policing Your Community events that anti-social behaviour isn’t worth reporting.
“But the reality is, it can have a severe and harmful impact on victims.
“For some, there will be no escape, even in their own homes.
“During recent meetings, I’ve heard much about how officers deal with anti-social behaviour.
“In Mole Valley, police are targeting repeat offenders and carrying out regular operations to tackle anti-social driving and e-scooter and e-bike riding.
“In Woking, three properties connected to crime have been closed down in three months.
“In Spelthorne, more than 20 e-bikes have been seized in Stanwell and Ashford after they were connected to criminality.
“Policing teams across the county are committed to dealing with anti-social behaviour. But we know there is always more work to do to ensure residents feel safe.”
Support available
A range of measures are available for those affected by anti-social behaviour.
The Commissioner’s office funds Mediation Surrey, which aims to resolve neighbourhood issues through discussion.
Those who feel failed after repeatedly reporting anti-social behaviour can turn to the ASB Case Review, which draws together key partners to review their actions.
In addition, Lisa secured a £1million government grant for hotspot policing, which uses police intelligence to flood Surrey’s worst-affected areas with officers.
ASB Help explains more about the different types of anti-social behaviour. It also has an interactive guide to help you report ASB to the right agency in the right way.
An extensive programme of renovations was carried out with the grant, and the site has now secured a Safer Parking Award.
The award is a national standard for UK car parks that have implemented measures to ensure the safety of both vehicles and their owners.
Safer Streets success
Managed by the British Parking Association (BPA) on behalf of Police Crime Prevention Initiatives Ltd, the scheme aims to reduce crime and the fear of crime in parking facilities.
To receive the award, car parks must undergo a rigorous risk assessment conducted by the police. This assessment ensures that the car park has appropriate measures in place, such as effective surveillance, good lighting, and a clean environment, all of which are known to deter criminal activity and anti-social behaviour.
The award signifies that a car park is a safer environment for users, providing peace of mind for those parking their vehicles there.
Car park improvements
The enhancements include:
Upgraded lighting for better visibility
New directional arrows to improve traffic flow
Reviewed and improved speed humps
A refurbished stairwell with a fresh coat of paint, new mirrors, and the application of urine repellent and anti-graffiti paints
Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, said: “It’s been wonderful to see how the team in Elmbridge have used Safer Streets funding to invest in the safety and health of communities in the borough.
“Residents had told police and councillors of their concerns around the Drewitts Court car park, and the improvements made demonstrate the real impact that properly directed funding can have.
“I’m delighted that the efforts of the team have been recognised with a Safer Parking Award.”
Councillor Kirsty Hewens, Portfolio Holder for Enterprise, Parking and Local Economy, said: “Keeping residents safe and enhancing the feeling of safety is a key priority for the Elmbridge Community and Safety Partnership.
“We want people to feel safe visiting our high street car parks at all times of day.”
Funding boost
Walton was one of three Surrey towns to be allocated a combined total of almost £1million last year as part of the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund. Redhill and Guildford also benefited from the grant.
In Walton, the funding is being used to tackle anti-social behaviour in public spaces after drugs, vandalism and littering were identified as particular concerns for residents.
Additional CCTV has been installed in the town, and a targeted youth outreach programme is under way.
The fund has also paid for improvements to the community garden at St Johns Drive in Walton, which now features new flowerbeds, vegetable patches and a bug hotel to encourage wildlife and support biodiversity in the area.
