Category: Children and young people

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend with members of the Surrey Police road safety team at an awareness raising stall

Commissioner visits driver safety roadshow – amid warnings that collisions are rising following lockdowns

Posted on | by Alex Winter

SURREY’S Police and Crime Commissioner has joined a roadshow dedicated to reducing crash casualties – as she warned that collisions in the county are rising following lockdowns.

Lisa Townsend visited a college in Epsom on Tuesday morning to mark Project EDWARD (Every Day Without a Road Death).

Project EDWARD is the UK’s biggest platform showcasing best practice in road safety. Working alongside partners in the emergency services, members of the team have hosted a tour around the south for its week of action, which ends today.


During two busy events at Nescot and Brooklands colleges in Surrey, police officers from the casualty reduction team and roads policing unit, firefighters, the Surrey RoadSafe team and representatives from Kwik Fit engaged with young people about the importance of keeping their vehicles and themselves safe on the roads.

Students were given advice on vehicle maintenance, with demonstrations about tyre and engine safety.

Police officers also used goggles mimicking impairment to show the impact drink and drugs have on cognition, and attendees were invited to participate in a virtual reality experience highlighting the impact that distraction behind the wheel can have.

Commissioner’s roads plea

Data on serious and fatal collisions in Surrey last year has not yet been fully verified. However, police have recorded more than 700 collisions that resulted in a serious injury during 2022 – an increase on 2021, when 646 people were badly hurt. During the first half of 2021, the country was in lockdown.

Road safety is a key priority in Lisa’s Police and Crime Plan, and her office funds a series of initiatives aimed at keeping younger drivers safe.

Lisa also recently announced that she is the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners’ new lead for road safety nationally. The role will encompass rail and maritime travel and road safety.

She said: “Surrey is home to the busiest stretch of motorway in Europe – and it’s one of the most dangerous carriageways as a direct result of the sheer number of drivers who travel on it every day.

Lisa joined casualty reduction officers from Surrey Police at a Project EDWARD roadshow on Tuesday

“But we also have huge diversity in the county when it comes to our roads. There are many rural stretches of highway, particularly in the south.

“What’s most important to remember is that any road is a risk if a motorist is distracted or driving dangerously, and this is a critically important issue for our two fantastic traffic teams, the Roads Policing Unit and Vanguard Road Safety Team.

“Due to their inexperience, young people are particularly at risk from crashes, and it’s absolutely key to provide sensible, clear education on driving as early as possible.

“That’s why I was so pleased to join the team at Project EDWARD and Surrey RoadSafe on Tuesday.

“Project EDWARD’s ultimate aim is to create a road traffic system that is completely free of death and serious injury.

“They promote the Safe System approach, which focuses on designing roads, vehicles and speeds that work together to reduce the likelihood and severity of crashes.

“I wish them every success in their campaign to keep motorists around the country safe.”

The Commissioner also signed Project EDWARD’s safe driving pledge

For more information, visit https://projectedward.org or https://facebook.com/surreyroadsafe

Deputy Commissioner supports launch of Safer Communities materials for Surrey teachers

Posted on | by James Smith

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Ellie Vesey-Thompson has supported the launch of a new programme of community safety education for children in Surrey’s schools.

Aimed at year six pupils aged between 10 and 11 years old, the Safer Communities Programme includes new materials for teachers to use as part of the Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) classes that students receive to stay healthy and prepare for later life.

They have been developed in partnership between Surrey County Council, Surrey Police and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service.

Digital teaching resources available through the programme will boost the education that young people receive on themes including keeping themselves and others safe, protecting their physical and mental health and being a good community member.

Complementing the work of Surrey County Council’s Healthy Schools, the resources follow evidence based and trauma-informed practise principles that are focused on building a strong foundation of personal wellbeing and resilience that young people can use throughout life.

Examples include recognising their right to say ‘no’ or change their mind in a challenging situation, understanding healthy relationships and knowing what to do in an emergency.

Developed with direct feedback from young people and schools over the last year, the programme is being rolled out across all Surrey boroughs in 2023.

It comes after the Commissioner’s team successfully bid for almost £1m of funding from the Home Office that will be used to provide specialist in-school training to deliver classes on preventing violence against women and girls. It also follows the recent launch of Surrey’s new dedicated Youth Commission on Policing and Crime, led by Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson.

Ellie, who leads the Commissioner’s focus on increasing support for and engaging with young people, said: “I am really excited to support this brilliant programme, that will directly enhance the support that teachers across the county can access from the whole community safety partnership in Surrey.

“Our office has worked closely with the Council and partners on this project, that supports the priority in our Police and Crime Plan to improve the opportunities for young people in the county to stay safe and be able to access help when needed.

“We are really pleased that the new materials developed within this project represent the voices of the young people and teachers who will benefit from them, and that they are focused on the early practical skills and resilience that individuals can take into life to tackle a range of situations. I hope these will help deliver memorable lessons that lead to building healthy relationships, discussions on making healthy choices that reduce the vulnerabilities that criminals exploit, and the simple message that the police and others are there for you when you need them.”

Find out more about the programme and request access to the Digital Teaching Resource on the Safer Communities Programme webpage at https://www.healthysurrey.org.uk/community-safety/safer-communities-programme

group photo of 27 Surrey teachers and staff of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey in a training room, after almost one million pounds in funding is provided to provide bespoke training and a campaign to educate children and young people about violence against women and girls

Teachers from 27 Surrey schools join first-ever fully-funded teacher training to tackle violence against women and girls

Posted on | by Alex Winter

TEACHERS from 27 Surrey schools have attended the first in a series of training days that have been fully-funded thanks to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

The programme, which launched last week, will support and empower teachers to build self-confidence in children during Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) lessons, with the aim of enabling them to live safe and fulfilled lives.

It comes after Commissioner Lisa Townsend’s team secured almost £1million from the Home Office’s What Works Fund to help combat violence against women and girls in Surrey through a series of projects for children and young people.

The issue is a key priority in Lisa’s Police and Crime Plan.

Deputy Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson speaks at the first PSHE training session

The funding will work to achieve this ambition by delivering a series of projects for children and young people.

Last week, teachers joined partners from Surrey Police and domestic abuse services for the first of three days of training to support Surrey County Council’s Healthy Schools approach.

The sessions, led by Sarah Lyles, Surrey County Council’s lead for PSHE, Wellbeing and Healthy Schools, and PSHE trainer Joanna Feast of company Clean Well-Being, aim to strengthen PSHE teaching skills through evidence-based and trauma-informed training as part of a society-wide effort to prevent harm to children.

Funding achieved by Lisa’s team will cover all programme materials and certification, training venues in Surrey, refreshments and lunch, as well as £180 a day for participating schools towards supply cover for the full three days.

Sessions are funded by the Home Office thanks to a grant application by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

Deputy Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson, who has responsibility for children and young people on the Commissioner’s behalf, attended the first session in Guildford.

She said: “As trusted adults who spend a substantial amount of time with young people at a key time in their development, teachers are an integral part of supporting our young people and tackling violence against women and girls.

“That’s why this training, which will give educators the confidence to discuss issues such as respectful relationships and sexual health, is so important.

“It also helps schools build networks with helpful organisations across Surrey, including those that are dedicated to supporting survivors of abuse. This will ensure greater unity across the system.

“The direct impact of these sessions is that teachers will be empowered to encourage young people to see their own value.

‘So important’

“I hope, in turn, that this positive message will help them lead fulfilling, safe lives, with the resilience they need to thrive.”

Funding for the training, which is backed by Surrey Domestic Abuse Services, the YMCA’s WiSE (What is Sexual Exploitation) programme and the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre, is in place until 2025, and teachers from the first cohort will return for their second session in May. In total, around 100 schools will benefit.

For more information, or to sign your school up for the second cohort, visit Fully Funded PSHE Training Programme for Surrey Schools | Surrey Education Services (surreycc.gov.uk)

Online virtual training will become available for all Surrey teachers to access.

Deputy Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson with representatives of Eikon Charity in front of graffiti wall with word Eikon

Deputy Commissioner visits young people’s charity helping parents start conversations about online safety

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Deputy Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson has visited a charity dedicated to supporting young people in Surrey as the organisation launches seminars on internet safety.

The Eikon Charity, which has offices at Fullbrook School in Addlestone, provides long-term advice and care to children and young people who need emotional and wellbeing support.

In recent weeks, parents and carers have been invited to join online seminars that will help them build the confidence to have conversations with children about keeping safe online. A free guide is also available, which has been downloaded by families around the world.

The new initiative marks the latest addition to the charity’s offerings. Eikon, which accepts both self-referrals and referrals from Mindworks – formerly known as Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services (CAMHS) – works in schools and communities across seven Surrey boroughs.

Youth support practitioners from Eikon are based in five schools as part of the Smart Schools programme, while early intervention co-ordinators are embedded in three boroughs. The charity also trains youth mentors – or Head Smart Wellbeing Ambassadors – to support their peers.

The charity has seen increasing demand from young people suffering with their mental health as a result of the pandemic.

Deputy Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson with representatives of Eikon Charity in front of graffiti wall with word Eikon



Ellie said: “The safety of our children and young people online is an ever growing concern, and keeping them safe is everyone’s responsibility.

“While the internet and other advances in technology undoubtedly bring many benefits, it also provides means for perpetrators to exploit young people for unthinkable intentions, including online grooming and child sexual abuse.

“I was really pleased to hear from Eikon about their work to support and advise parents and carers on keeping children and young people safe online through their seminars and other resources.

“Anyone can sign up for free to learn more about how to keep young people as safe as possible when they’re online.

“The Commissioner and I, along with our whole team, are dedicated to supporting the county’s children. Last year, the team successfully bid for £1million of Home Office funding, which will be used primarily to educate young people on the harms of violence against women and girls.

“This money will be used to harness the power of young people through their Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) lessons. It will also pay for a separate campaign aimed at creating a cultural shift in the entrenched attitudes that lead to this type of criminality, and to support a number of charities that help survivors of violence.

“I’m really pleased to see that organisations such as Eikon are offering other brilliant resources, such as these parent seminars, that complement these new plans. All of us working together and offering support to children and young people, as well as parents and carers, is key to keeping our young people safe.”

Caroline Blake, Schools Programme Coordinator for Eikon, said: “Supporting Safer Internet Day – which has the theme ‘Want to talk about it? Making space for conversations about online life’ – has allowed us as Eikon to raise the profile of how important it is to connect with our children and young people about their online activity.

“In an ever-evolving world, our guide offers easy-to-follow, practical tips on how to support families to learn from each other and create healthy habits and conversations about their online usage.”

For more information on Eikon, visit eikon.org.uk.

You can also access Eikon’s webinars and obtain the free guide by visiting eikon.org.uk/safer-internet-day/

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson with police officers and children in football kit at the Chelsea Football club

Deputy Commissioner joins Surrey Police’s women’s football team at Chelsea training ground for “brilliant” kick-about

Posted on | by James Smith

DEPUTY Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson joined the Surrey Police women’s football team at Chelsea FC’s Cobham training base last week.

During the event, around 30 officers and staff from the Force – all of whom had given up their free time to attend – trained with girls’ football teams from Notre Dame School in Cobham and Blenheim High School in Epsom.

They also answered the young players’ questions and spoke about their service in Surrey communities.

Ellie, the country’s youngest Deputy Commissioner, is soon to announce a new football initiative for young people in partnership with Chelsea Foundation.

She said: “I was so pleased to join players from Surrey Police Women’s Football Team on at Chelsea FC’s training ground, where they had the chance to play alongside young female players from two Surrey schools.

“They also had brilliant chats with the young players about growing up in Surrey and their plans for the future.

“One of the key priorities in the Police and Crime Plan is to strengthen relationships between Surrey Police and residents. Part of my remit is to engage with young people, and I believe it’s crucial that their voices are heard and listened to, and that they have the opportunities they need to flourish.

“Sport, culture and the arts can be hugely effective ways to improve the lives of young people around the county. That’s why we’re preparing to announce new funding for a brand new football initiative in the coming weeks.”

‘Brilliant’

Surrey Police officer Christian Winter, who manages the Force’s women’s teams, said: “It’s been a fantastic day and I’m so pleased with how it’s all turned out.

“Being part of a football team can bring huge benefits, from mental health and physical wellbeing to confidence and friendship.

“The Force’s women’s team also had a chance to meet young people from nearby schools, and we hosted a Q&A so our officers could chat to them about their future aspirations and answer any queries on policing they might have.

“It helps us break down boundaries and improve our relationships with young people in Surrey.”

Keith Harmes, Chelsea Foundation’s Area Manager for Surrey and Berkshire, organised the event in order to bring together female footballers from a range of backgrounds.

“Female football is growing massively, and that’s something we’re really proud to be involved with,” he said.

“Football can make a huge difference to a young person’s discipline and confidence.”

Taylor Newcombe and Amber Fazey, both serving officers who play on the women’s team, called the day an “amazing opportunity”.

Taylor said: “It was a great opportunity to get together as a big group who may not cross paths during work days, get to know new people, build friendships, and play a sport we love while using the best facilities in the country.”

Stuart Millard, director of Blenheim High School’s football academy, thanked the Surrey Police teams for their support.

‘It’s about taking the barriers away’

“We’re seeing that sporty children are picking up football earlier than they used to,” he said.

“Five years ago, we had six or seven girls at trials. Now it’s more like 50 or 60.

“There’s been a huge cultural shift around the concept of girls playing the sport, and it’s just fantastic to see that.

“For us, it’s about taking the barriers away. If we can do that early enough in sport, then when the girls are 25 and coming across a barrier at work, they know they’ll be able to break it down for themselves.”

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson and the OPCC Community Safety Lead

Deputy Commissioner launches first-ever Surrey Youth Commission as members discuss mental health, drug abuse and knife crime

Posted on | by Alex Winter

YOUNG people from Surrey have drawn up a list of priorities for the police at the first-ever meeting of a new Youth Commission.

The group, which is fully funded by the Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey, will help shape the future of crime prevention in the county.

Deputy Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson is to oversee meetings throughout the nine-month scheme.

At the inaugural meeting on Saturday, January 21, members aged between 14 and 21 developed a list of crime and policing issues that matter to them and affect their lives. Mental health, drink and drug awareness, road safety and relationships with the police were highlighted.

Over the course of coming meetings, members will choose the priorities they want to work on before consulting with 1,000 other young people across Surrey.

Their findings will be presented in a final conference during the summer.

Ellie, who is the youngest Deputy Commissioner in the country, said: “I have wanted to establish a proper way to bring youth voice into policing in Surrey since my first day as Deputy Commissioner and I’m so proud to be involved in this brilliant project.

“This has been in the planning for some time and it is so exciting to meet the young people at their very first meeting.

young persons hand writing on a sheet showing a diagram of ideas for the Surrey Youth Commission, next to a copy of the Police and Crime Plan for the county.


“Part of my remit is to engage with children and young people around Surrey. It’s crucial that their voices are heard. I am dedicated to helping young and underrepresented people get involved in issues that have a direct impact on them.

“The first meeting of the Surrey Youth Commission proves to me that we should feel enormously positive about the generation of young people who are beginning to make their mark on the world.

“Every member stepped forward to share their experiences, and they all came up with some fantastic ideas to take forward in future meetings.”

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey awarded a grant to not-for-profit organisation Leaders Unlocked to deliver the Commission after Ellie decided to launch a peer-led youth group.

One of Commissioner Lisa Townsend’s top priorities in her Police and Crime Plan is to strengthen the relationships between Surrey Police and the county’s residents.

‘Fantastic ideas’

Leaders Unlocked has already delivered 15 other commissions across England and Wales, with young members choosing to focus on topics including hate crime, drug abuse, abusive relationships and rates of re-offending.

Kaytea Budd-Brophy, Senior Manager at Leaders Unlocked, said: “It’s vital that we engage young people in the conversation about issues that affect their lives.

“We’re delighted to be granted the opportunity to develop a peer-led Youth Commission project in Surrey.

“This is a really exciting project for young people aged between 14 and 25 to get involved in.”

For more information, or to join the Surrey Youth Commission, email Emily@leaders-unlocked.org or visit surrey-pcc.gov.uk/funding/surrey-youth-commission/

Applications open for fully-funded teacher training to tackle violence against women and girls

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Schools in Surrey are invited to apply for a new teacher training programme which has been fully funded thanks to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

The programme, which will begin in March, aims to build self-confidence in children with the aim of enabling them to live safe and fulfilled lives.

It comes after Commissioner Lisa Townsend’s team secured almost £1million from the Home Office’s What Works Fund to help combat violence against women and girls in Surrey. The issue is one of the key priorities in Lisa’s Police and Crime Plan.

All of the funding will be spent on a series of projects for children and young people. At the heart of the programme is new specialist training for teachers delivering Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education, supporting Surrey County Council’s Healthy Schools approach.

Teachers will join key partners from Surrey Police and domestic abuse services for three days of training, which will address effective teaching and learning in PSHE, alongside opportunities to work with other organisations.

The funding will cover all programme materials and certification, training venues within Surrey, and lunch and other refreshments. Participating schools will also receive £180 a day towards supply cover for the full three days.

Lisa said: “I believe this training will help end the scourge of violence against women and girls by encouraging young people to see their own worth.

“I hope it will support them to lead fulfilling lives, long after they leave the classroom.

Funding boost

“This funding will also help join the dots between schools and other services in Surrey. We want to ensure greater unity across the entire system, so those who need help can always be sure they’ll get it.”

During the training, which is backed by Surrey Domestic Abuse Services, the YMCA’s WiSE (What is Sexual Exploitation) programme and the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre, teachers will be given additional support to reduce students’ risk of becoming either victim or abuser. Students will learn how to value their physical and mental health, their relationships and their own wellbeing.

Funding for the programme is in place until 2025.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has already allocated around half of its Community Safety Fund to protect children and young people from harm, strengthen their relationships with police and provide help and advice when needed.

For more information, visit Fully Funded PSHE Training Programme for Surrey Schools | Surrey Education Services (surreycc.gov.uk)

The application deadline for the first 2022/23 cohort is February 10. Further intakes will be welcomed in the future. There will also be online virtual training available for all Surrey teachers to access.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend signs Christmas cards designed by a young person in her office at Surrey Police HQ

Commissioner and deputy send out Christmas cards after girl, 10, wins competition

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner and her deputy have sent out their Christmas cards – after picking a design created by a 10-year-old girl fleeing domestic abuse.

Lisa Townsend and Ellie Vesey-Thompson invited children supported by services across the county to submit illustrations for their 2022 card.

The winning artwork was sent in by I Choose Freedom, which provides refuge to women and children escaping harm at three locations in Surrey.

The charity is just one of the organisations partially funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victims Fund. One of the key aims of Lisa’s Police and Crime Plan is to prevent violence against women and girls.


Over the past 18 months, Lisa and Ellie have committed hundreds of thousands of pounds to causes supporting children and young people through the office’s funding streams.

Reflecting on the year, Lisa said: “This has been my first full year serving as a Police and Crime Commissioner, and it’s been a real privilege to serve everyone living in this wonderful county.

“I’m very proud of all the work that has been done so far, and I look forward to achieving more for residents in 2023.

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank those who work for Surrey Police for their efforts to keep all of us as safe as possible, and to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and new year.”

During the year, Lisa and Ellie ring-fenced £275,000 from the Community Safety Fund to protect children and young people from harm and allocated almost £4million of Home Office funding for projects and services which help survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence.

In the autumn, the Home Office awarded the office a second grant of just under £1million to provide a package of support for young people to help combat violence against women and girls in Surrey.

And in November, Ellie announced the launch of a brand new Surrey Youth Commission, which will allow children and young people to have their say on the issues affecting them.

Applications for the Commission are open until January 6. For more information, see our Youth Commission page.

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson awarding a young person with a certificate

Inspirational young people honoured by Deputy Commissioner at Surrey awards ceremony

Posted on | by James Smith

Surrey’s Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner has congratulated some of the county’s most inspirational young people following an awards ceremony last week.

Ellie Vesey-Thompson paid tribute to the winners of the Elmbridge Young Persons Awards after handing out certificates at the event on Friday night.

A total of 18 children and teens were celebrated at the popular show, which took place in person for the first time since the pandemic began. The awards were funded in part by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey.

Young people were nominated across five categories: citizenship, personal adversity, young carers, role models and bravery.

Among the winners were Libby Jones, who suffers with severe epilepsy and almost lost her life to sepsis after a string of brain surgeries, and Daniel Ivanov, who organised a series of events to raise £20,000 for victims of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

One of the young winners, Teddy Read, sadly died with a pre-existing health condition in the days before the ceremony. He had been honoured by Claygate Youth and Community Hub for his “loyalty, honesty, integrity and humanity”.

Ellie, who is responsible for leading the Commissioner’s focus on the safety of children and young people in Surrey, said: “Everyone who was nominated for an award should be incredibly proud of themselves.

“I’d also like to congratulate the mums, dads, grandparents, carers, teachers and youth workers involved too.

“In my role as Deputy Commissioner, I spend a lot of my time with young people across Surrey. A lot of what we hear about young people is negative, but every day, I’m blown away by the selflessness, strength and achievements of the teenagers who live here.

“On Friday, I heard some truly moving stories from young people who have overcome extreme difficulties to succeed. They are an example to all of us.

“These awards celebrate hope in the face of adversity. It was my pleasure to be a part of the evening.”

PC Phil Jebb from the Elmbridge Borough Community Safety Team co-organised the awards.

He said: “These young people have demonstrated resilience and courage over the course of a very challenging two-and-a-half years.

“In the face of their own fears and hardships, they have reached out to comfort and support others, while setting a positive example and also being great role models. They and their families should be very proud of what they’ve achieved.

“It’s fantastic to be back and I’m thrilled for all the winners.”

Winners:

Miles Nicholson. Category: Personal adversity. Nominated by Meredith Kendall and Sue Dickenson, Grovelands School

Louis Patridge-Adair. Category: Personal adversity. Nominated by Sharon Morris-Motasher, Three Rivers Academy

Emilia Wall. Category: Citizenship. Nominated by Nick Elliott, North East Surrey Short Stay School

Teddy Read. Category: Personal adversity. Nominated by Katie Holmes, Claygate Hub

Joe Dickinson. Category: Role model. Nominated by PC Jebb, Surrey Police

Isabel Dolby. Category: Personal adversity. Nominated by Heidi Stone, Three Rivers Academy

Nicholas Granger. Category: Citizenship. Nominated by Nick Elliott, North East Surrey Short Stay School

Libby Jones. Category: Bravery. Nominated by Katie Holmes, Claygate Hub

Ewan Lascaris and Henry Hall. Category: Charity. Nominated by Kath Plummer, Esher High School

Daniel Ivanov. Category: Charity. Nomated by Mark Tachon, Heathside School

Scarlett Trigg. Category: Personal adversity. Nominated by Daphne Sohl, Grovelands School

George Farrell. Category: Personal adversity. Nominated by Jo Gale and Nikki Wheeler, Esher High School

Harry Spragg. Category: Personal adversity. Nominated by Heidi Stone, Three Rivers Academy

Luke Turner. Category: Role model. Nominated by PC Jebb, Surrey Police

George Dillon. Category: Personal adversity. Nominated by Jo Gale and Nikki Wheeler, Esher High School

Isabel Holloway. Category: Personal adversity. Nominated by Heidi Stone, Three Rivers Academy

Michael Graham. Category: Citizenship. Nominated by PC Jebb, Surrey Police

“Their voices must be heard” – Applications open for brand new Surrey Youth Commission

Posted on | by James Smith

Young people living in Surrey are invited to have their say on crime and policing as part of a new forum supported by the Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey.

The Surrey Youth Commission, which will be overseen by Deputy Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson, calls on young people aged between 14 and 25 to shape the future of crime prevention in the county.

Applications are now being invited from those who would like to get involved with the challenging and rewarding scheme over the course of the next nine months.

Ellie said: “We’re so proud to launch this brilliant initiative, which is dedicated to helping young and underrepresented people get involved in the crucial issues that impact their lives.

“As Deputy Commissioner, I work with children and young people around Surrey, and I believe that their voices must be heard.

“This innovative project will allow more people to speak up on the biggest issues they face right now and directly inform future crime prevention in Surrey.”

Surrey Commissioner Lisa Townsend has awarded a grant to not-for-profit organisation Leaders Unlocked to deliver the initiative. Between 25 and 30 successful young applicants will be given practical skills training before holding forums on the issues they’d particularly like to address and then giving feedback to Ellie and her Office.

Teenagers sitting and standing in front of blue sky in selfie style photograph


During the next year, at least 1,000 young people from Surrey will be consulted about the Youth Commission’s key priorities. Members of the Commission will ultimately develop a series of recommendations for the force and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, which will be presented at a final conference.

Lisa said: “One of the top priorities in my current Police and Crime Plan is to strengthen the relationships between Surrey Police and our residents.

“This fantastic scheme will ensure we are hearing opinions from young people across a range of backgrounds, so we understand what they feel are the most important issues for the force to tackle.

“So far, 15 Police and Crime Commissioners have worked with Leaders Unlocked to develop Youth Commissions.

“These impressive groups have consulted with their peers on some truly weighty topics, from racism to drug abuse and rates of reoffending.

“I’m excited to see what Surrey’s young people have to say.”

See more information or apply on our Surrey Youth Commission page.

Applications must be submitted by December 16.