Category: Criminal Justice

Just Stop Oil Protestor with sign on top of gantry on M25 Motorway

“Enough is enough – people are now getting hurt” – Commissioner calls on activists to halt ‘reckless’ M25 protest

Posted on | by James Smith | Leave a Comment on “Enough is enough – people are now getting hurt” – Commissioner calls on activists to halt ‘reckless’ M25 protest

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend has called on activists to halt their ‘reckless’ protests on the M25 motorway after a police officer was injured whilst responding in Essex.

The Commissioner said she shared the frustration of the vast majority of the public after a third day of Just Stop Oil protests caused widespread disruption across the road network in Surrey and surrounding counties.

She said the incident in Essex where a police motorcyclist was injured sadly highlights the dangerous situation the protests are creating and the risks for those police teams who are having to respond.

Activists scaled gantries again this morning at various locations around the Surrey stretch of the M25. All parts of the motorway were fully reopened by 9.30am and a number of arrests have been made.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “What we have seen in Surrey and elsewhere over the last three days goes way beyond peaceful protest. What we are dealing with here is co-ordinated criminality by determined activists.

“Sadly, we have now seen an officer in Essex getting injured while responding to one of the protests and I would like to send my best wishes to them for a full and speedy recovery.

“The actions of this group are becoming more and more reckless and I call on them to halt these dangerous protests now. Enough is enough – people are getting hurt.

“I fully share the anger and frustration of those who have been caught up in this over the last three days. We have seen stories of people missing vital medical appointments and family funerals and NHS nurses unable to get into work – it is completely unacceptable.

“Whatever the cause these activists are trying to promote – the vast majority of the public are fed up with the disruption it is causing to the lives of thousands of people trying to go about their daily business.

“I know how hard our police teams have been working and I fully support their efforts to combat these protests. We have had teams patrolling the M25 from the early hours to try and disrupt the activities of this group, detain those responsible and ensure that the motorway can be reopened as soon as possible.

“But this is diverting our resources and putting an unnecessary strain on our officers and staff at a time when resources are already stretched.”

Arial view of motorway

“Dangerous in the extreme and completely unacceptable” – Commissioner condemns latest protests on the M25 in Surrey

Posted on | by James Smith | Leave a Comment on “Dangerous in the extreme and completely unacceptable” – Commissioner condemns latest protests on the M25 in Surrey

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend has condemned the ‘reckless and dangerous’ actions of protesters who once again caused disruption on the M25 in Surrey this morning.

The Commissioner said the behaviour of Just Stop Oil protesters who scaled overhead gantries on the motorway put ordinary people’s lives at risk and were completely unacceptable.

Police were called this morning to four different locations on the Surrey stretch of the M25 and a number of arrests have been made. Similar protests were also seen in Essex, Hertfordshire and London.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “Sadly once again we have seen people’s everyday lives being disrupted by the reckless actions of these protesters.

“No matter what the cause, climbing overhead gantries on the busiest motorway in the country during the Monday morning rush hour is dangerous in the extreme and totally unacceptable.

“These protesters not only put their own safety at risk but also those people who were using the motorway to go about their own business and those officers called out to deal them. You can only imagine what could have happened had someone fallen onto the carriageway.

“I am pleased to see the swift response by Surrey Police who were quickly on the scene to detain those involved. But yet again our precious police resources have had to be diverted to deal with these protesters and keep everyone safe.

“What we need to see now is those responsible put before the courts and given punishments that reflect the seriousness of their actions.

“I am a strong believer in peaceful and lawful protest but the vast majority of the public have had enough. The actions of this group are getting increasingly more dangerous and must be stopped before someone is seriously hurt.”

Community Safety Assembly

Services commit to joined up response at first Community Safety Assembly in Surrey

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The first Community Safety Assembly in the county was held this May as Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend united partner organisations with a shared commitment to work more closely together.

The event launched the new Community Safety Agreement between partners that include Surrey Police, local authorities, health and victim support services across Surrey. The Agreement outlines how partners will work together to improve community safety, by enhancing the support for individuals affected or at risk of harm, reducing inequalities and strengthening collaboration between different agencies.

The Assembly organised by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey welcomed representatives from over 30 organisations to the Dorking Halls, where they discussed how to improve the joint response to community issues including antisocial behaviour, mental ill-health, and criminal exploitation. The meeting was also the first time that representatives from each of the organisations had met in person since the start of the pandemic.

Group work on a variety of topics was accompanied by presentations from Surrey Police and Surrey County Council, including the Force’s focus on reducing violence against women and embedding a problem-solving approach to preventing crime across the service.

Throughout the day, members were asked to consider the bigger picture of so-called ‘low level crime’, learn to spot the signs of hidden harm and discuss potential solutions to challenges including barriers to sharing information and building public trust.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Lisa Townsend, who is also the Association of Police and Crime Commissioner’s national lead for Mental Health and Custody, said: “Every organisation has a role play in reducing vulnerabilities that can lead to harm in our communities.

“That’s why I’m proud that the Community Safety Assembly held for the first time by my office has brought such a wide spectrum of partners under one roof to discuss how we can all take steps to deliver a more joined-up response within the new Community Safety Agreement for Surrey.

“We heard from partners about what we can learn from the amazing work that is already happening across our county, but also had really open conversations about what doesn’t work so well and how we can improve.

“It is important that we spot the signs of harm earlier and address gaps between agencies that can prevent individuals from accessing the right support. For example, we know that mental ill-health has a significant impact on policing and this is one of the areas that I am already discussing with our health partners to ensure the response is coordinated so that individuals receive the best possible care.

“The Assembly was just the start of these conversations, that form part of our ongoing commitment to together improve safety right across our communities.”

Find out more about the Community Safety Partnership in Surrey and read the Community Safety Agreement here.

You can see our dedicated page for updates following the Community Safety Assembly here.

We play an essential role in enhancing support – Commissioner Lisa Townsend speaks at national conference on criminal justice

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend has called for more to be done to support women and girls who experience gender-based violence during a panel discussion at this year’s Modernising Criminal Justice conference.

The discussion chaired by Reader in Criminal Law at King’s College Dr Hannah Quirk coincided with domestic abuse awareness week in Surrey and included questions on the progress made since the launch of the Government’s ‘Tackling Violence against Women and Girls Strategy’ in 2021 and how Safer Streets funding provided by Police and Crime Commissioners is making a difference to the lives of women and girls locally.

The conference at the QEII Centre in London featured speakers from across the criminal justice sector, including the Ministry of Justice, Crown Prosecution Service, fellow Police and Crime Commissioners and the Victims Commissioner Dame Vera Baird.

Reducing violence against women and girls, including victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence, is a key priority in Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan for Surrey.

Speaking alongside the Chief Executive of AVA (Against Violence and Abuse), Donna Covey CBE, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend welcomed a significant increase in funding from the Government in the last two years to tackle the violence women experience every day, adding Commissioners played an essential role in ensuring services on the ground are able to provide the best possible support and care to those who need it.

She said more work was needed to ensure that justice was achieved for victims, requiring the whole criminal justice system to work together to hear survivors’ voices and do more to recognise the impact of trauma on individuals and their families: “I’m pleased to take part in this national conference with a really important aim of collaborating across the criminal justice sector to prevent offending and reduce harm in our communities.

“I’m passionate about reducing violence against women and girls and this is a key area in which I am dedicating my full attention to as the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey.

“It is essential in our efforts to drive change that we continue to act on what survivors are telling us needs to be different. I am really proud of the enormous amount of work being led by my team, Surrey Police and with our partners, which includes early intervention to address behaviours that lead to violence, and ensuring there is specialist support that recognises the deep and lasting impact all forms of violence against women and girls can have on the mental health of both adult and child survivors.

“Recent developments including the Domestic Abuse Act offer new opportunities to strengthen this response and we are grasping these with both hands.”

In 2021/22, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner provided more support to individuals affected by sexual violence, rape, stalking and domestic abuse than ever before, with £1.3m in funding provided to local organisations to support the survivors of domestic abuse and a new Safer Streets project aimed at improving the safety of women and girls in Woking. A dedicated service to challenge the behaviour of both stalking and domestic abuse perpetrators across Surrey was also launched and is the first of its kind to be launched in the UK.

The Commissioner’s office continues to play a key role in significantly increasing the number of Independent Domestic Violence Advisors and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors in Surrey, who provide direct advice and guidance in the community to help victims rebuild trust, access support and navigate the criminal justice system.

Confidential advice and support is available from Surrey’s independent specialist domestic abuse services by contacting the Your Sanctuary helpline 01483 776822 (9am-9pm every day) or by visiting the Healthy Surrey website.

To report a crime or seek advice please call Surrey Police via 101, online or using social media. Always dial 999 in an emergency.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend

“Selfish and unacceptable” – Commissioner condemns actions of M25 service station protesters

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend has condemned the actions of protesters who blocked fuel stations on the M25 this morning as ‘selfish and unacceptable’.

Surrey Police officers were called to motorway services at both Cobham and Clacket Lane at around 7am this morning following reports that a number of protesters had caused damage at both sites and were blocking access to fuel with some gluing themselves to pumps and signs. Eight arrests have been made so far and more are expected to follow.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “Yet again this morning we have seen damage caused and disruption to ordinary people’s lives in the name of protest.

“The selfish actions of these protesters are completely unacceptable and I am pleased to see the swift response by Surrey Police who are working hard to minimise the impact on those using these areas. Unfortunately some of these protesters have glued themselves to various objects and removing them safely is a complex process that will take some time.

“Motorway service stations provide an important facility for motorists, particularly lorries and other vehicles transporting vital goods across the country.

“The right to peaceful and lawful protest is important in a democratic society but the actions this morning step far beyond what is acceptable and serves only to cause disruption to those people going about their daily business.

“This has again resulted in valuable police resources being used to respond to the situation when their time could have been better spent policing in our communities.”

Commissioner Lisa Townsend responds as fresh injunction granted against Insulate Britain

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend said Insulate Britain protesters should ‘consider their future’ as new measures to prevent motorway protests could land activists with two years in prison or an unlimited fine.

A fresh court injunction was granted to Highways England this weekend, after new protests by the climate activists blocked sections of the M1, M4 and M25 in the tenth day of actions held in three weeks.

It comes as protesters have today been removed by the Metropolitan Police and partners from London’s Wandsworth Bridge and the Blackwall Tunnel.

Threatening that new offences will be treated as ‘contempt of court’, the injunction means that individuals staging protests on key routes may face prison time for their actions.

In Surrey, four days of protests on the M25 in September led to the arrest of 130 people. The Commissioner praised the swift actions of Surrey Police and has called on the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to join police forces in a firm response.

The new order covers motorways and A roads in and around London and enables police forces to submit evidence direct to Highways England in order to assist with the injunction process carried out by the courts.

It acts as a deterrent, by including more routes and further banning protesters who damage or attach themselves to road surfaces.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “The disruption caused by Insulate Britain protesters continues to place road users and police officers in danger. It is pulling the resources of the police and other services away from individuals who need their help. This is not just about people being late to work; it could be the difference between whether police officers or other emergency responders are on the scene to save someone’s life.

“The public deserve to see coordinated action through the Justice System that is proportionate to the seriousness of these offences. I am pleased that this updated order includes providing more support for Surrey Police and other forces to work with Highways England and the courts to ensure that action is taken.

“My message to Insulate Britain protesters is that they should think very, very carefully about the impact that these actions will have on their future, and what a serious penalty or even jail time could mean for themselves and the people in their lives.”

Commissioner welcomes strong message as injunction gives police more powers

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has welcomed news of a High Court Injunction that will give police more powers to prevent and respond to new protests expected to take place on the motorway network.

Home Secretary Priti Patel and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps applied for the injunction after a fifth day of protests were held by Insulate Britain across the UK. In Surrey, four protests have been held since last Monday, leading to the arrest of 130 people by Surrey Police.

The injunction granted to National Highways means that individuals staging new protests that involve obstructing the highway will face charges of contempt of court, and could see time in prison while held on remand.

It comes after Commissioner Lisa Townsend told The Times that she believed more powers were needed to deter protesters: “I think a short prison sentence may well form the deterrent that is needed, if people have to think very, very carefully about their future and what a criminal record might mean for them.

“I’m delighted to see this action by the Government, that sends a strong message that these protests that selfishly and seriously endanger

the public are unacceptable, and will be met with the full force of the law. It is important that individuals contemplating new protests reflect on the harm they could cause, and understand that they could face jail time if they continue.

“This injunction is a welcome deterrent that means our Police forces can focus on directing resources to where they are needed most, such as tackling serious and organised crime and supporting victims.”

Speaking to the national and local media, the Commissioner praised the response of Surrey Police to protests held in the last ten days, and gave thanks for the cooperation of the Surrey public in ensuring key routes were reopened as soon as was safely possible.

cars on a motorway

Commissioner praises Surrey Police response as arrests made in new M25 protest

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has praised the response of Surrey Police to protests held on Surrey’s motorways by Insulate Britain.

It comes as a further 38 individuals were arrested this morning in a new protest on the M25.

Since last Monday 13th September, 130 people have been arrested by Surrey Police after four protests caused disruption to the M3 and M25.

The Commissioner said the response by Surrey Police was appropriate and that officers and staff across the Force were working hard to minimise further disruption:

“Obstructing a highway is an offence and I am pleased that Surrey Police’s response to these protests has been proactive and robust. People travelling in Surrey have a right to go about their business free of interruption. I am grateful that the support of the public has enabled the work of Surrey Police and partners to allow these routes to be reopened as quickly as is safe to do so.

“These protests are not only selfish but place significant demand on other areas of policing; reducing the resources available to help Surrey residents in need across the county.

The right to peaceful protest is important, but I urge anyone who is considering further action to carefully consider the very real and serious risk they are posing to members of the public, police officers and themselves.

“I am incredibly grateful for the work of Surrey Police and will continue to do everything I can to ensure the Force has the resources and support it needs to maintain the high standards of policing in Surrey.”

The response of Surrey Police officers is part of a coordinated effort by both officers and operational staff in a range of roles across Surrey. They include contact and deployment, intelligence, custody, public order and others.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend takes national lead on mental health and custody

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend has become the national lead for mental health and custody for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC).

Lisa will guide best practise and the priorities of PCCs across the country, including strengthening the support available to those affected by mental ill-health and encouraging best practise in police custody.

The position will build on Lisa’s previous experience of supporting the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Mental Health, working alongside charities and the Centre for Mental Health to develop policies to put forward to the Government.

Lisa will lead the response from PCC’s to the Government on topics including the relationship between mental health service provision, police time spent attending to incidents and reducing offending.

The custody portfolio will champion the most effective processes for the detention and care of individuals, including continuous improvement of Independent Custody Visiting Schemes delivered by PCCs in England and Wales.

Independent Custody Visitors are volunteers who visit police stations to carry out important checks on the conditions of custody and the welfare of those who are detained. In Surrey, each of the three custody suites is visited five times a month by a team of 40 ICVs.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “The mental health of our communities has an enormous impact on policing across the UK, and often places

police officers first at the scene in times of crisis.

“I’m excited to lead Police and Crime Commissioners and police forces right across the country, who have close relationships with health services and local organisations to strengthen the support for individuals affected by mental ill-health. This includes reducing the number of individuals who are vulnerable to criminal exploitation because of mental health concerns.

“In the last year, health services have faced enormous strain – as Commissioners, I believe there is much we can do together with local organisations to develop new initiatives and support impactful projects that will protect more individuals from harm.

“The Custody Portfolio is of equal importance to me and offers a chance to make further improvements in this less visible area of policing.”

Lisa will be supported by Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell, who is Deputy Lead for Mental Health and Custody.

PCC Lisa Townsend welcomes new Probation Service

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

Probation services delivered by private businesses across England and Wales have been merged with the National Probation Service this week to provide a new unified public Probation Service.

The Service will provide closer supervision of offenders and home visits to better protect children and partners, with Regional Directors responsible for making probation more effective and consistent across England and Wales.

Probation services manage individuals on a community order or licence following their release from prison, and provide unpaid work or behaviour change programmes that take place in the community.

The change forms part of the Government’s commitment to grow greater public confidence in the Criminal Justice System.

It comes after Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation concluded that the previous model of delivering Probation through a mix of public and private organisations was ‘fundamentally flawed’.

In Surrey, partnership between the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Community Rehabilitation Company has played a key role in reducing reoffending since 2016.

Craig Jones, OPCC Policy and Commissioning Lead for Criminal Justice said KSSCRC were “a true vision of what a Community Rehabilitative Company should be” but recognised that this was not the case for all services provided across the country.

PCC Lisa Townsend welcomed the change, that will support the existing work of the PCC’s Office and partners to continue to drive down reoffending in Surrey:

“These changes to the Probation Service will strengthen our partnership work to reduce reoffending, supporting real change by individuals who experience the Criminal Justice System in Surrey.

“It’s really important that this retains a focus on the value of community sentences that we’ve championed over the last five years, including our Checkpoint and Checkpoint Plus schemes that have a tangible impact on an individual’s likelihood of reoffending.

“I welcome new measures that will ensure that high risk offenders will be monitored more closely, as well as providing a greater control over the impact that probation has on the victims of crime.”

Surrey Police said it will continue to work closely with the Office of the PCC, the National Probation Service and the Surrey Probation Service to manage offenders released into the local community.