Category: Communication and engagement

PCC urges public to Question EVERYTHING after Surrey victim loses £20,000 of life savings through deepfake video

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

A Surrey resident has lost £20,000 of his life savings after he was tricked into a scam investment by a deepfake video of TV star ‘Martin Lewis’.

David*, a retired engineer, spotted a video on Facebook of who he believed was ‘Martin’, the Money Saving Expert, promoting an investment scheme.

Fraudsters then persuaded David – not his real name – to part with various sums of money before he realised that he had been duped but it was too late.

David has told his story as a warning to others about how easy it is to be deceived by artificial intelligence (AI) scammers as part of Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend’s ‘Question EVERYTHING’ campaign.

Sophisticated fake content

The campaign aims to highlight the emerging threat of criminals using AI and deepfakes to create increasingly sophisticated fake content designed to scam victims.

As part of ‘Question EVERYTHING’, Lisa created a deepfake video of herself to convey how realistic and deceptive this technology can be. A free information guide called: ‘The dangers of AI and deepfakes: How to avoid becoming the victim of AI generated scams’ was produced by the Commissioner’s office to accompany the film.

David said: “‘Martin’ [Lewis] was promoting an investment that was available to anyone, and should be taken seriously, as a way to boost your savings. There was a link attached. All you had to do was invest £200 and watch your investment grow.”

David watched his funds increase in a short number of months and so deposited a further five thousand pounds into the account. Once the value had reached £25,000, he wanted to withdraw some money.

‘I was in too deep’

He said: “This is when it all started to change. When I requested to withdraw some funds, I was confronted with making “liquidity” or “security” payments which I was told would be refunded the next day.  I was told that this was necessary because the funds were coming from Crypto investments”.

After paying the sum of £5,000 needed to release the money, David was then informed that a further £10,000 was required for ‘faster payments’.

He added: “By the time I realised what was happening I was in too deep and couldn’t get out without losing my money. I felt stupid for getting into this situation and ashamed to tell my wife that I had lost some of our savings.”

Martin Lewis

Lisa said: “This comes at a time when fraudsters are increasingly turning to AI to create slick personalised messaging, craft lifelike looking deepfake videos and clone authentic sounding voices.

“Martin Lewis is currently the most frequently impersonated high-profile person by fraudsters who use sophisticated AI methods to make adverts look real. 

“AI generated technology is also being used to automate frauds and increase their reach to prey on unsuspecting individuals.”

“Upsetting”

David added: “It has been a very stressful and upsetting time since this all started last March.

“It still goes on.

“I am contacted almost daily by individuals making 100% promises that they can get my money back, but I know that they are all disingenuous.”

Question EVERYTHING is being supported by Surrey Police, Victim and Witness Care Unit, and Surrey’s Community and Safety Prevention Board.

To find the Question EVERYTHING campaign film with deepfake and free online information guide, visit surrey-pcc.gov.uk/question-everything-fraud/ 

The image shows Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, a blonde woman in a grey long-sleeved top, standing up at a table and speaking into a microphone. Seated at either side of her are police officers in uniform. In front of her is a large crowd who are sitting in chairs and pictured from behind.

“Tide is turning” against offenders in Ashford as shoplifters and drug dealers are targeted, Commissioner says

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Police are turning the tables on criminals in Ashford, Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner has said after attending a residents’ meeting in the town last weekend.

Lisa Townsend joined Spelthorne’s Safer Neighbourhood Team, led by Sergeant Théa Jackson-Sedgwick, on Saturday to speak to the Ashford Residents’ Association.

Lisa and the team were questioned about local crime issues and the national policing picture.

Shoplifting, visible policing, the Government’s potential force merger plans and police budgets were among the topics discussed in front of a packed meeting.

Police’s successes in Ashford

The Commissioner said work by local police teams was having a positive impact in the town.

  • Reported crime in Ashford has decreased by 9 per cent
  • The detection rate for shoplifting has doubled
  • Vehicle crime had been reduced by 34 per cent
  • 10 warrants have been carried out to disrupt drug supply in the local area
  • Two new PCSOs are now on patrol in the town
  • 137 extra foot patrols have been carried out in the ‘hotspot’ area of Church Road
  • Residents recently enjoyed the safest Halloween on record

Church Road is one of four ‘hotspots’ in the borough, alongside the Elmsleigh Centre and Two Rivers in Staines, and Sunbury Cross. Hotspots have comparatively higher levels of crime than surrounding areas. 

“Tide is being turned”

Lisa said: “It was a real pleasure to drop in on the meeting on Saturday to talk to residents and hear about some of the brilliant work the local team have been doing in Ashford.

“There is always more to do, but some of the recent results are making a huge difference to the local community.

“The tide is being turned on criminality and anti-social behaviour in the town.

“We will soon share more good news about some targeted police activity that will be taking place in the area, and I look forward to being able to say more in the coming weeks.”

The image shows a large crowd of around 100 people sitting in a church hall. The audience is pictured from behind. They are facing a table, at which a police officer in uniform can be seen standing and speaking into a microphone. Above is a television screen showing a presentation.

Residents packed the hall for the meeting in Ashford

The image shows Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, a blonde woman in a white shirt, standing in front of a Surrey Police building. She is beneath a sign that says 'Surrey Police HQ Mount Browne.' Her hands are clasped and she is looking directly into the camera.

Would you pay a little extra council tax to support the fight against crime? Have your say on police funding!

Posted on | by Nathan Rees

Surrey residents are being asked whether they would be prepared to pay a little extra so police teams can continue taking the fight to criminals in our communities.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said Surrey Police have made incredible strides over the last two years in tackling those issues important to the public.

Burglary and vehicle crime rates are falling, police teams are cracking down on anti-social behaviour, charges for shoplifting have risen by 465 per cent and the overall charge rate has more than doubled in Surrey.

But in order to maintain and build on those improvements over the coming year, the Commissioner says adequate funding is essential to ensure our hard-working police force have the tools for the job.

Council tax survey

Those who live or work in the county are being invited to fill in a brief survey on whether they would support the Commissioner’s proposed increase of a little over £1 extra a month on an average council tax bill for 2026/27.

Complete the survey here

One of Lisa’s key tasks as Commissioner is to set the Surrey Police budget, which includes determining the level of council tax raised for policing in the county, known as the precept.  

This funds the Force together with a grant from central government who also set the maximum precept limit that Commissioners can raise. 

Read frequently asked questions here

The Government assumes in their police funding announcements that all Commissioners will increase to the maximum limit.

Police funding

This year’s settlement, which will include the limit, is yet to be announced but it is anticipated that it will be in line with last year at £14 for an average Band D property. This equates to just over £1 a month for a Band D Council Tax payer.

Despite repeated lobbying to Government to get a fairer share of police grant funding, Surrey Police remains one of the most poorly funded forces in the country. As a result an increase in council tax is vital to give the Force the resources it needs to deliver the services residents depend on.

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 is “absolutely crucial” and is continuing to pay dividends for communities.

Charges more than double

The number of charges across the board has more than doubled and 40 per cent more crimes have been solved.

Burglary rates have reduced by 14 per cent over the last year while vehicle crime is down by 36 per cent. The number of charges for rape have doubled. You can find out more on the Commissioner’s Data Hub.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend said: “I vowed last year that the contributions Surrey residents make through their council tax would go towards what policing does best – fighting crime in our local communities, getting tough on offenders and protecting people.  

“The improvements we have seen have been nothing short of incredible.

“Incredible”

“More criminals are being put before the courts and taken off our streets. Burglary and vehicle crime rates have fallen dramatically whilst charges for shoplifting and violence against women and girls have risen hugely

“This has all been made possible by the contributions you, the Surrey public, make through your council tax contributions.

“It is always really tough asking the Surrey tax-payer to pay more money, particularly in the current financial climate. But my job is to ensure our local policing teams remain properly funded in the face of some tough financial challenges.

“The reality is that despite repeated lobbying, the Government’s funding for policing in Surrey is simply inadequate, which is why your contributions remain so crucial to the service the Force is able to provide. I am afraid that an increase of some kind will be needed again this year to ensure that drastic cuts to our workforce can be avoided. 

Savings to be made

“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 £?m in savings over the next four years.  

“I want to ensure we build on the fantastic progress already made, continue to tackle those crimes important to our residents and invest in those fantastic services in the county that provide truly life-changing support to victims of crime in Surrey. 

“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 12 January 2026. For more information visit our dedicated webpage.

logo of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey on deep blue background

Statement from Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend on the abolition of PCCs

Posted on | by Nathan Rees

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, has released a statement following news that the Government will abolish the role of PCCs.

“The key role of an elected Police and Crime Commissioner is not only being the voice of our communities but being the champion for some of those key services that provide life-changing support to the most vulnerable people in our society.

“That is why I believe it is a sad day for the victims of crime in Surrey and the amazing organisations my office commissions and funds, many of whom are already operating in uncertain times.

“Today’s announcement over the abolishment of the PCC model makes clear that the statutory functions of the role, which are crucial to ensuring police governance, will need to continue.

“But what is not clear for our residents is what that will look like for Surrey and whether those powers will come under a directly elected mayor.

“Our county will soon be moving to a two unitary model and whilst the Government has committed to having a strategic authority in Surrey, the question of whether that means a mayor remains unanswered.

“I would urge them to clarify what that means for our communities in what is already a period of great change for our county.

“My concern is that whatever follows the PCC model will be less democratic, less accountable, less transparent, and worse value for money for the people of Surrey.”

On left, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson, and on right, Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend. Both are standing in front of a Christmas tree and wearing red. They are holding up a Christmas card with a hand-drawn snowman picture on the front.

Commissioner’s Christmas card competition opens with call to young artists in Surrey

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Summer may just be coming to an end, but if you’re anything like Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, yule already be thinking about Christmas. 

Lisa Townsend and her Deputy, Ellie Vesey-Thompson, are today launching their annual Christmas competition – and they’re looking for a brilliant young artist to design their festive cards. 

Children working with any of Surrey’s youth services are invited to put pen, pencil or paintbrush to A4 paper and submit their creative ho-ho-holiday designs by Friday, 31st October 2025. 

This year’s theme is ‘Christmas in Surrey’. The winner will receive a £100 Amazon voucher, and their design will be sent to MPs, leaders in public service and charitable sectors, local councillors – and even the Prime Minister. 

Any child or young person involved with a Surrey youth service can enter the competition. That includes those who: 

  • Attend any youth club or project in the county 
  • Require additional SEND support 
  • Are members of any YMCA programme 
  • Have received help from Mindworks Surrey 
  • Are involved in any youth-based organisation, such as the Surrey Youth Cabinet 

It also includes those involved with organisations that the Commissioner and her team help to fund. 

These include mental health charity Eikon, Catch22, an organisation supporting young people at risk of criminal exploitation, and the Surrey Youth Commission, which allows its members to have their say on crime and policing issues. 

“The most wonderful time”

Lisa, who helps to fund a range of organisations through her Children and Young People’s Fund, said: “It’s the most wonderful time of the year when Ellie and I choose our winner for the annual Christmas card competition. 

“I’d urge everyone involved with any of Surrey’s youth services to create a design for us. 

“We are very excited to see this year’s entries.” 

It’s the fourth time the Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner have opened a competition to Surrey’s young people. 

Last year’s winner, seven-year-old Felix, painted a cheerful snowman, and was rewarded with a family trip to Bockett’s Farm. 

Competition launches

In previous years, children supported by services commissioned by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner were asked to submit their designs. 

In 2022, a girl supported by domestic abuse charity I Chose Freedom was the winner, and the following year, a young person who attends Catch-22’s Music To My Ears Programme submitted the winning design. 

Ellie, who has responsibility for the office’s focus on children and young people and leads the Surrey Youth Commission, said: “The Commissioner and I look forward to this competition throughout the year. 

“I encourage all Surrey residents to share this competition widely. 

“The standard of entries has been consistently high for the past four years, and we’re sure to see some brilliant artworks in 2025 too.” 

How to enter

Paper pictures sent by post are preferred. Pictures can also be accepted via email, although the original must be supplied if requested by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. 

Postal entries should be addressed to: The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey, 3, The Drive, Sandy Lane, Guildford, Surrey, GU3 1HE. 

Email entries should be submitted to ChristmasPCC@surrey.police.uk 

You’ll need to include your name, age, the details of a parent or guardian’s name, and a contact number or email address so we can ask for permission to use your design. 

For more information, visit surrey-pcc.gov.uk/christmas2025 

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.”

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.

Police and Crime Commissioner walking through graffiti covered tunnel with two male police officers from the local team in Spelthorne

We want to hear from you! Still time to have your say on policing priorities for Surrey

Posted on | by Nathan Rees

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:

Surrey Police and Crime Plan 2025-28 Public Consultation

The Police and Crime Plan provides the basis for how the Commissioner holds the Chief Constable to account and sets the priorities for policing for the county.

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.”

Share your priorities

For more information, visit our dedicated webpage, Surrey-PCC.gov.uk/police-and-crime-plan/consultation-2024

Our last three Policing Your Community events are taking place in Runnymede, Surrey Heath and Waverley in the next few weeks.

To sign up to an event, visit Surrey.Police.uk/police-forces/surrey-police/areas/au/about-us/in-the-community/

Surrey officers who fought for freedom during the First and Second World Wars are remembered

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Stories of the heroism of Surrey police officers who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars have been told in a series of Remembrance services.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend attended a poignant service at Guildford Cathedral on Remembrance Sunday, before giving a reading at the Force’s Mount Browne HQ on Armistice Day.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson travelled to Ypres in Belgium with the Ceremonial Association of Surrey Police.

During her visit, Ellie visited the grave of Henry Bullen.

Henry served as a Police Constable with Surrey Constabulary. A former Grenadier Guard, he was recalled during the First World War, and on October 26 1914 was killed in action – the first member of the Force to die in the conflict.

We will remember them

Ellie also joined the Ypres Poppy Parade and Remembrance Ceremony, which concluded with a service at the Menin Gate.

She said: “I first visited the Menin Gate as a child, and remember being completely blown away by the significance and scale of the memorial and the sacrifices that were made during the First World War.

“This is a feeling which I still felt as an adult.

“Being able to lay a wreath there on Remembrance Day and pay tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for us to have freedoms we enjoy today was a huge honour, and an experience I won’t forget.”

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson marked Remembrance in Ypres, Belgium

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson marked Remembrance in Ypres, Belgium

Following that, Ellie joined representatives from the British Embassy and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for a second ceremony at Tyne Cot, the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the world.

In total, 111,961 service personnel are buried or commemorated at the site.

Before leaving Ypres, Ellie participated in the Last Post service, which takes place every day at the Menin Gate.

She said: “I have been lucky enough to witness the Last Post twice before.

“However, playing a part in the ceremony on Remembrance Day was an incredible, humbling, and deeply moving experience.”

Ellie travelled to Belgium with the Ceremonial Association of Surrey Police

Meanwhile, at Surrey Police headquarters, Lisa and her team joined the annual service held on the Chief’s lawn.

A speech was given about the life of Captain Owen Allard, a Surrey Constabulary officer who returned to policing after the Second World War.

Cpt Allard served with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, who fought in the Normandy campaign.

He was the last surviving member of the battalion following D Day.

Lisa said: “It is always an immense privilege to join Remembrance events and learn more about those who gave their lives to allow future generations to live in more peaceful times.”

The Commissioner also joined a service at Guildford Cathedral