Category: Deputy Commissioner

Teenager shoes

Police and Crime Commissioner teams up with Catch22 to prevent child exploitation in Surrey

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office for Surrey has awarded £100,000 to charity Catch22 to launch a new service for young people at risk of or affected by criminal exploitation in Surrey.

Examples of criminal exploitation include the use of children by ‘county lines’ networks, leading individuals into a cycle of offending that can include homelessness, substance misuse and ill mental health.

The Commissioner’s Community Safety Fund will enable the new development of Catch22’s successful ‘Music To My Ears’ service, using music, film and photography as a way to engage and work with individuals for their safer future.

The service has been commissioned by Guildford and Waverley Clinical Commissioning Group since 2016 focusing on mental health and substance misuse. In this time, the service has supported more than 400 young people and children to improve their wellbeing and reduce their contact with the Criminal Justice System. Over 70% of young people engaged said it helped them to improve their mental health, build their self-esteem and look forward.

Launching in January, the new service will offer a combination of creative workshops and tailored one-to-one support from a named advisor to help individuals to address the root causes of their vulnerability. Focussing on early intervention that recognises the family, health and social factors that can lead to exploitation, the three-year project will increase the number of young people supported away from exploitation by 2025.

Working with the Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership that includes the PCC’s Office, aims of the service delivered by Catch22 include entry or re-entry into education or training, improved access to physical and mental health care and reduced contact with the police and other agencies.

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson, who is leading the Office’s focus on children and young people, said: “Myself and the team are thrilled to be working with Catch22 to further enhance the support we offer for young people in Surrey to feel safe, and to be safe.

“Both the Commissioner and I are passionate about ensuring our Plan for Surrey enables a focus on the safety of young people, including recognising the enormous impact that exploitation can have on an individual’s future.

“I am pleased that the new service will build on such extensive work by Catch22 over the last five years, opening up routes for more young people to avoid or leave a situation in which they are being exploited.”

Emma Norman, Assistant Director for Catch22 in the South said: “We’ve seen the success of Music to My Ears again and again and I’m thrilled that commissioner Lisa Townsend recognises the impact of the team’s work on local young people at particular risk of exploitation.

“The last two years have presented a more urgent need for practical, creative interventions for young people. Poor school attendance and online risks have further aggravated much of the risk factors we were seeing pre-pandemic.

“Projects like this enable us to re-engage young people – by boosting their self-esteem and their confidence, young people are encouraged to express themselves and their experiences, all while supported by professionals in a one-to-one setting.

“The Catch22 team address the risk factors – be it the young person’s home, social or health factors – while unlocking the impressive talent we know young people have.”

In the year to February 2021, Surrey Police and partners identified 206 young people at risk of exploitation, of which 14% were already being exploited. It’s important to note that the majority of young people will grow up happy and healthy with no need for intervention from services including Surrey Police.

Signs that a young person might be at risk of exploitation include absence from education, going missing from home, becoming withdrawn or uninterested in usual activities, or new relationships with ‘friends’ who are older.

Anyone who is concerned about a young person or child is encouraged to contact the Surrey Children’s Single Point of Access on 0300 470 9100 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday) or at cspa@surreycc.gov.uk. The service is available out of hours on 01483 517898.

You can contact Surrey Police using 101, Surrey Police social media pages or www.surrey.police.uk. Always dial 999 in an emergency.

Teenager shoes

Commissioner’s office to fund dedicated service to protect children from exploitation

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey is looking to fund a dedicated service to work with young people affected by exploitation in the county.

Up to £100,000 is being made available from the Community Safety Fund to support a Surrey organisation that has a proven record of helping young people affected by, or at risk of serious criminal exploitation.

Most exploitation involves the use of children by ‘county lines’ networks that distribute drugs from major cities to local towns and villages.

Signs that a young person might be at risk include absence from education or going missing from home, becoming withdrawn or uninterested in usual activities, or relationships or gifts from new ‘friends’ that are older.

Deputy Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson said: “I’m really passionate about ensuring that our focus in Surrey includes supporting young people to stay safe, and to feel safe.

“That’s why I’m so excited that we’re making new funding available to deliver a dedicated service that will tackle the root causes of exploitation in direct partnership with the individuals affected. If this is an area where your organisation can make a difference – please get in touch.”

In the year to February 2021, Surrey Police and partners identified 206 young people at risk of

exploitation, of which 14% were already experiencing it. The majority of young people will grow up happy and healthy with no intervention from services including Surrey Police.

Focussing on early intervention that recognises the family, health and social factors that can lead to exploitation, the three-year project aims to support over 300 young people.

The successful recipient of the funding will work with young people identified as being at risk of exploitation to tackle the root causes of their vulnerability.

As part of a partnership across Surrey that includes the Commissioner’s Office, they will develop trusted relationships that lead to new opportunities for the individual, such as entry or re-entry into education, or improved access to physical and mental health care.

Interested organisations can find out more here.

Commissioner and Deputy support NFU ‘Take the Lead’ campaign

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The National Farmers Union (NFU) has joined with partners to encourage dog walkers to put pets on a lead when walking near farm animals.

Representatives of the NFU are being joined by partners including the National Trust, Surrey Police, Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend and Deputy Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson, and Mole Valley MP Sir Paul Beresford in talking to Surrey dog walkers. An awareness raising event will take place from 10.30am on Tuesday 10 August at the National Trust’s Polesden Lacey, near Dorking (car park RH5 6BD).

Surrey NFU Adviser Romy Jackson says: “Sadly, the number of dog attacks on farm animals remains unacceptably high and attacks are seriously impacting farmers’ livelihoods.

“As we’re seeing an above average number of people and pets in the countryside as the pandemic continues, we’re taking this opportunity to educate dog walkers. We hope to explain how farmers play a vital role in the management of the Surrey Hills, producing our food and caring for this wonderful landscape. We encourage people to show appreciation by keeping dogs on leads around livestock and picking up their poo which can be harmful to animals, especially cattle. Always bag and bin your dog’s poo – any bin will do.”

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Ellie Vesey-Thompson said: “I am concerned that farmers in our rural communities have noticed an increase in dog attacks on animals and livestock as many more residents and visitors have taken advantage of Surrey’s beautiful countryside in the past 18 months.

“I urge all dog owners to remember that livestock worrying is a crime that has a devastating impact both emotionally and financially. When walking your dog near livestock please ensure it is on a lead so that such incidents can be avoided and we can all enjoy our wonderful countryside.”

The NFU has successfully campaigned for changes to the law to curb out-of-control dogs and it is campaigning for leads to become law when dogs are walked near farm animals.

Last month, the NFU released the results of a survey that found almost nine out of 10 (82.39%) people questioned in the region said that visiting the countryside and farmland had improved their physical or mental wellbeing – with more than half (52.06%) saying it had helped improve both.

Countless popular rural tourist spots are on working farmland, with many farmers working hard to maintain footpaths and public rights of way so visitors can enjoy our beautiful countryside. One of the key lessons learned from the COVID-19 outbreak has been the importance of people adhering to the Countryside Code when they visit the countryside for exercise or recreation. However, the sheer volume of visitors during lockdown and subsequently did cause issues in some areas, with an increase in dog attacks on livestock among other problems including trespass.

Original news item shared courtesy of NFU South East.

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson

Surrey’s Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner to help drive fresh impact

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

Surrey Police & Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has formally appointed Ellie Vesey-Thompson as her Deputy PCC.

Ellie, who will be the youngest Deputy PCC in the country, will focus on engaging with young people and supporting the PCC on other key priorities informed by Surrey residents and police partners.

She shares PCC Lisa Townsend’s passion to do more to reduce violence against women and girls and ensure the support for all victims of crime is the best it can be.

Ellie has a background in policy, communications and youth engagement, and has worked in both public and private sector roles. Having joined the UK Youth Parliament in her early teens, she is experienced in voicing concerns for young people, and representing others at all levels. Ellie has a degree in Politics and a Graduate Diploma in Law. She has previously worked for the National Citizen Service and her most recent role was in digital design and communications.

The new appointment comes as Lisa, the first female PCC in Surrey, focuses on implementing the vision she outlined during the recent PCC election.

PCC Lisa Townsend said: “Surrey has not had a Deputy PCC since 2016. I have a very broad agenda and Ellie has already been heavily involved across the county.

“We have a lot of important work ahead. I stood on a commitment to make Surrey safer and put local people’s views at the heart of my policing priorities. I was given a clear mandate to do that by the residents of Surrey. I am delighted to bring Ellie on board to help deliver those promises.”

As part of the appointment process, the PCC and Ellie Vesey-Thompson attended a Confirmation Hearing with the Police & Crime Panel where Members were able to ask questions about the candidate and her future work.

The Panel has subsequently made a recommendation to the PCC that Ellie is not appointed to the role. On this point, PCC Lisa Townsend said: “I note with genuine disappointment the recommendation of the Panel. Whilst I do not agree with this conclusion, I have carefully considered the points raised by Members.”

The PCC has provided a written response to the Panel and has reaffirmed her confidence in Ellie to undertake this role.

Lisa said: “Engaging with young people is hugely important and was a key part of my manifesto. Ellie will bring her own experience and perspective to the role.

“I promised to be highly visible and in the coming weeks I will be out and about with Ellie engaging directly with residents on the Police and Crime Plan.”

Deputy PCC Ellie Vesey-Thompson said she was delighted to officially take up the role: “I’ve been hugely impressed by the work the Surrey PCC team is already doing to support Surrey Police and partners.

“I am particularly keen to enhance this work with young people in our county, with both those affected by crime, and with individuals who are already involved, or at risk of becoming involved, in the criminal justice system.”

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson

Lisa Townsend proposes new Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The new Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend has proposed a Deputy PCC to join her team, it was announced today.

Ellie Vesey-Thompson, who is 26, will become the youngest Deputy PCC in the country and will provide crucial support to the Commissioner with a particular focus on engaging with young people.

The role will also support the PCC on other key priorities such as violence against women and girls, domestic abuse, rural crime and pet theft.

Her nomination for the deputy position will go before the county’s Police and Crime Panel for a confirmation hearing at their next meeting on June 30.

Ellie has a background in policy, communications and youth engagement, and has worked in both public and private sector roles. Having joined the UK Youth Parliament in her early teens, she is experienced in voicing concerns for young people and representing others at all levels.

Ellie has a degree in Politics and a Graduate Diploma in Law. She has previously worked for the National Citizen Service and her most recent role was in digital design and communications.

Speaking of her decision to nominate a deputy, PCC Lisa Townsend said: “Ellie’s skills and experience make her the obvious choice, and I have seen first-hand the energy and commitment that she would bring to the post of deputy.

“A key part of her role will be about engaging with our residents in Surrey and in particular reaching out to our young people. I know she shares my passion to make a real difference to our communities and I think she will be a great asset to the PCC’s team.

“Ellie will be a fantastic deputy and I look forward to proposing her appointment to the Police and Crime Panel in June.”

Ellie was at Surrey Police’s Mount Browne Headquarters in Guildford this week to meet some of Surrey Police’s young Volunteer Police Cadets.

Outlining her plans for the role, she said: “I am honoured to have been nominated for the Deputy PCC role and I’m really excited about helping Lisa build and deliver her vision for policing in Surrey.

“I am particularly keen to enhance the work the PCC’s office does with young people in our county, and it was fantastic to meet some of the Cadets this week and learn about the role they play in the Surrey Police family.

“I aim to hit the ground running and be out and about with the PCC engaging with residents and communities across Surrey to make sure we reflect their priorities going forward.”