Category: Funding

Police and Commissioner Lisa Townsend with Surrey Police officers from the fatal five team standing between police cars on sunny day

Commissioner meets with new road safety team dedicated to tackling ‘Fatal 5’ drivers

Posted on | by Alex Winter

SURREY’S Police and Crime Commissioner has met with a brand new team dedicated to reducing serious and fatal crashes on the county’s roads.

Lisa Townsend has thrown her support behind the Vanguard Road Safety Team, which began patrolling in Surrey during the autumn of 2022.

Officers target motorists committing the ‘Fatal 5’ offences – inappropriate speed, not wearing a seat belt, driving under the influence of drink or drugs, distracted driving, including looking at a mobile phone, and careless driving.

Lisa said: “I’m so pleased the team is now operational.

“Anyone who drives in Surrey will know how busy the roads are. Our motorways are some of the most highly-used in the country, and that’s why I’ve made road safety a key priority in my Police and Crime Plan.

“Distracted and dangerous driving ruins lives, and we know all Fatal 5 offences are leading contributory factors in collisions. Each and every crash is preventable and behind every victim is a family, friends and a community.

“While most people are safe motorists, there are some who selfishly and willingly risk both their own lives and the lives of others.

“It’s great news that the Vanguard team will be proactively tackling these drivers.”

Lisa met with the new team at Surrey Police’s Mount Browne HQ in December. Vanguard has been fully-staffed since October, with two sergeants and 10 PCs serving across two teams.

Sergeant Trevor Hughes said: “We use a range of tactics and vehicles, but it’s not just about enforcement – we are looking to change drivers’ behaviour.

“We use of a mix of visible policing and unmarked vehicles to stop drivers from committing Fatal 5 offences.

“The aim is ultimately to reduce the number of serious and fatal collisions on Surrey’s roads. Motorists who drive dangerously should beware – we can’t be everywhere, but we could be anywhere.”

As well as patrolling, officers from the team also use the services of data researcher Chris Ward to crack down on the county’s worst drivers.

Sergeant Dan Pascoe, who previously worked on the Roads Policing Unit, leading investigations into serious injury and fatal collisions, said: “There’s a ripple effect with any serious or fatal collision – the impact for the victim, their family and friends, and then the impact for the offender and their loved ones too.

“It is always devastating and heart-wrenching to visit the families of victims in the hours after a fatal crash.

“I would urge every Surrey driver to make sure they’re always paying full attention when they’re behind the wheel. The consequences of even a momentary distraction can be unimaginable.”

In 2020, 28 people were killed and 571 were seriously injured on Surrey’s roads.

Between 2019 and 2021:

  • 648 people were killed or seriously injured by speed-related crashes on Surrey’s roads – 32 per cent of the total
  • 455 people were killed or seriously injured by crashes involving careless driving – 23 per cent
  • 71 people were killed or seriously injured by crashes where seat belts weren’t worn – 11 per cent
  • 192 people were killed or seriously injured in crashes involving drink-or drug-driving – 10 per cent
  • 90 people were killed or seriously injured in crashes involved distracted driving, for example motorists using their phones – four per cent

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.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend with local police officer in Stanwell

Commissioner secures £700,000 in Safer Streets funding for projects to improve safety in three Surrey communities

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend has secured over £700,000 in government funding to help tackle anti-social behaviour and improve safety in three areas of the county.

The ‘Safer Streets’ funding will help projects in Epsom town centre, Sunbury Cross and the Surrey Towers housing development in Addlestone after it was announced today that all three bids submitted for the county earlier this year have been successful.

The Commissioner said it was brilliant news for residents in all three communities who will benefit from a number of planned measures designed to make the areas safer places to live.

It is part of the latest round of the Home Office’s Safer Streets funding which has so far seen £120m shared across England and Wales for projects to tackle crime and improve safety.

The Police and Crime Commissioners Office submitted three bids totalling £707,320 after working with Surrey Police and borough and district council partners to identify areas most in need of support.

Around £270,000 will go towards improving safety and combatting anti-social behaviour, town centre violence and criminal damage in Epsom.

The funding will go towards helping modernise CCTV use, deliver training packages for licenced premises and the provision of safe spaces by accredited businesses in the town.

It will also be used to promote the services of the Street Angels and Street Pastors and the availability of free spiking detection devices.

In Addlestone, over £195,000 will be spent to tackle issues such as drug use, noise nuisance, intimidating behaviour and criminal damage to communal areas at the Surrey Towers development.

It will fund improvements to the security of the estate including resident only access to stairwells, the purchase and installation of CCTV cameras and additional lighting.

Increased police patrols and presence are also part of the plans as well as a new youth café in Addlestone which will employ a full time youth worker and give young people a place to go.

The third successful bid was for around £237,000 which will help introduce a number of measures to tackle youth-related anti-social behaviour in the Sunbury Cross area.

This will include residents only access, improved CCTV provision in the location, including the subways, and opportunities for young people in the area.

Previously, Safer Streets funding has supported projects in Woking, Spelthorne and Tandridge where funding helped improve security for women and girls using the Basingstoke Canal, reduce anti-social behaviour in Stanwell and tackle burglary offences in Godstone and Bletchingley.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Safer Streets bids for all three projects in Surrey were successful which is great news for those living and working in those areas.

“I have spoken to residents across the county and one of the key issues that is raised repeatedly with me is the impact of anti-social behaviour on our communities.

“This announcement comes off the back of Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week where I pledged to continue working with our partners in the county to take positive steps to combat ASB.

“So I am really pleased to see that the funding we have been able to secure will help tackle those issues which have been causing concern for local people and make these three areas safer places for everyone to live in.

“The Safer Streets Fund is an excellent initiative by the Home Office which is continuing to make a real difference to our communities. I will ensure my office continues to work with Surrey Police and our partners to identify other areas that could benefit from this extra funding in the future.”

Ali Barlow, T/Assistant Chief Constable with responsibility for Local Policing said: “I’m delighted that Surrey has been successful in securing funding through the Home Office Safer Streets initiative which will see investment in key projects in Epsom, Sunbury and Addlestone.

“I know how much time and effort goes in to submitting applications for funding and we have seen, through previous successful bids, how this money can make a real difference to the lives of communities involved.

“This £700k investment will be used to improve the environment and tackle anti-social behaviour which continues to be a key priority for the Force working with our partners and with the continued support of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

“Surrey Police has made a commitment to the public that they will be kept safe and will feel safe living and working in the county and Safer Streets funding helps us to do just that.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend with members of Surrey Search and Rescue at night

Commissioner pays tribute to ‘fantastic’ Surrey Search and Rescue as they celebrate 1,000 call outs

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has applauded the incredible contribution of the Surrey Search and Rescue team who have recently celebrated their 1,000th call out in the county.

Surrey SAR are made up entirely of volunteers who provide crucial help to the emergency services in finding missing people particularly vulnerable adults and children.

The Commissioner and her Deputy Ellie Vesey-Thompson saw the team in action when they joined a recent live training exercise which simulated a search for a missing person in woodland at Newlands Corner near Guildford.

They also went to meet the team and present awards for hours volunteered at an event in March.

Surrey SAR rely solely on donations to fund life-saving equipment and training for the team of over 70 members and trainees who are on-call 24 hours a day to respond across Surrey. The PCC’s office provide them with an annual sponsorship grant and have also helped fund one of the team’s control vehicles.

The team operate in farmland, urban areas and woodland and have specialist teams in water rescue, search dogs and an aerial capability using drones.

Since they were formed in 2010, the team recently surpassed the milestone of 1,000 call outs to incidents across the county. Last year alone volunteers gave up nearly 5,000 hours of their time making them one of the busiest Lowland Rescue teams in the UK.

PCC Lisa Townsend said: “Searching for missing people can often be a race against time which is why the role Surrey Search and Rescue play to support our emergency services across the county is so vital.

“They respond to incidents which really can be a life or death situation where someone could be at their most desperate. That is why they deserve the thanks of all of us for volunteering their time to carry out the amazing work they do.

“It was fascinating to see the team in action at the recent exercise and although it was only a brief glimpse of the challenges they face, I was really impressed with the professionalism and dedication they displayed.

“The team has recently celebrated its 1,000th call out which is an incredible achievement and highlights the invaluable contribution they make when someone goes missing in our county.

“My office is a big supporter of the team and I hope they continue to provide that crucial support to the emergency services in keeping people safe in Surrey.”

For more information on the work of Surrey Search and Rescue – visit their website here: Surrey Search & Rescue (Surrey SAR) (sursar.org.uk)

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.

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.

New Safer Streets funding set to boost crime prevention in Surrey

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

Over £300,000 in funding from the Home Office has been secured by Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend to help tackle burglary and neighbourhood crime in East Surrey.

The ‘Safer Streets’ funding will be awarded to Surrey Police and partners after a bid was submitted in March for the Godstone and Bletchingley areas of Tandridge to support a reduction in incidents of burglary, particularly from sheds and outhouses, where bikes and other equipment have been targeted.

Lisa Townsend has also today welcomed the announcement of a further round of funding that will focus on projects to make women and girls feel safer over the next year, a key priority for the new PCC.

Plans for the Tandridge project, starting in June, include the use of cameras to deter and catch thieves, and extra resources such as locks, secure cabling for bikes and shed alarms to help local people prevent the loss of their valuables.

The initiative will receive £310,227 in Safer Street funding which will be backed by a further £83,000 from the PCCs own budget and from Surrey Police.

It is part of the second round of the Home Office’s Safer Streets funding which has seen £18m shared across 40 areas of England and Wales for projects in local communities.

It follows the completion of an original Safer Streets project in Spelthorne, that provided over half a million pounds to improve security and reduce anti-social behaviour at properties in Stanwell during 2020 and early 2021.

The third round of the Safer Streets Fund, which opens today, provides another opportunity to bid from a fund of £25 million for the year‚ÄØ2021/22 for projects designed to improve the safety of women and girls.‚ÄØThe PCC’s office will be working with partners in the county to prepare its bid in the coming weeks.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “Burglary and shed break-ins cause misery in our local communities so I am delighted that the proposed project in Tandridge has been awarded substantial funds to tackle this issue.

“This funding will not only improve the safety and security of residents living in that area but will also act as a real deterrent to criminals who have been targeting properties and boost the prevention work our police teams are already carrying out.

“The Safer Streets Fund is an excellent initiative by the Home Office and I was particularly pleased to see the third round of funding open today with a focus on enhancing the safety of women and girls in our neighbourhoods.

“This is a really important issue to me as your PCC and I look forward to working with Surrey Police and our partners to make sure we put forward a bid that can make a real difference to our communities in Surrey.”

Borough Commander for Tandridge Inspector Karen Hughes said: “I’m really excited to bring this project for Tandridge to life in partnership with our colleagues in Tandridge District Council and the Office of the PCC.

“We’re committed to a safer Tandridge for everyone and the Safer Streets funding will help Surrey Police to go even further in preventing burglaries and ensuring local people feel safe, as well as enabling local officers to spend more time listening and providing advice in our communities.”