Category: Local policing

The image shows a dark room filled with computers and desks. Across the length of one wall is a bank of television screens, many of which show CCTV images. In the far left corner is a mugshot of a bearded man with dark hair, who looks directly into the camera.

Brazen shoplifter highlighted to Commissioner on visit to Boots CCTV hub is jailed

Posted on | by Alex Winter

A shoplifter who brazenly stole goods worth more than £34,000 in a six-week spree has been jailed after he was caught trying to flee the country.

Wesley Maughan, 25, was one of the cases brought to Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend’s attention during a visit to the Boots CCTV Monitoring Centre over the summer.

Lisa met with security staff at the hub in Nottinghamshire after their work with Surrey Police led to the arrest and charge of 22-year-old Ashford man John Ward.

Ward, who stole items worth £60,000 from Boots, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Co-op stores was jailed for two years in April.

The hub has now worked with the Force once again to secure a conviction for Maughan, of Slough.

Shoplifters sentenced

Maughan, who admitted 13 counts of theft from a shop, raided Boots, Tesco and Co-op stores across Surrey, London, Buckinghamshire and Kent. He targeted nicotine, healthcare and cosmetics products.

CCTV captured him entering a Boots store before filling bags with goods, concealing items in his coat, and leaving without paying.

He was arrested at Harwich International Port in May after trying to flee the country under a false identity, and has this week been sentenced to 22 months in prison at Aylesbury Crown Court.

The Commissioner said: “The sentences received by Maughan and Ward should serve as a timely reminder to those who target our business communities.

“Surrey Police will not tolerate retail crime, and our officers will bring offenders to justice.

“We will not tolerate it”

“I’d like to thank everyone involved in these cases for their fantastic work.”

Retail crime is a key priority for both the Commissioner and senior leaders at Surrey Police.

In the past year, there have been 800 additional shoplifting charges, and the arrest rate for these crimes has more than doubled. 

Investigating officer PC Annalise Ware said: “Shoplifting is not a victimless crime.

“It can have a devastating impact on businesses and their communities. Staff can be left feeling vulnerable and powerless and customers are also often affected.

Force priority

“It is a priority for us to tackle retail crime head on, relentlessly pursuing those who steal from shops and getting them in front of the courts.

“Crucial to this is shoplifting being reported – irrespective of value – as it helps us build an intelligence picture of who the offenders are and the trends in their behaviour.

“In this case, working in partnership with retailers helped us to quickly identify Maughan as a suspect, charge and sentence him for multiple offences.

“I hope this outcome reassures our communities that we are committed to tackling shoplifting and serves as a reminder that we are working daily to drive retail crime out of Surrey.”

Two people stand and look at computer screens. One, a blonde woman in a green dress, is Commissioner Lisa Townsend. She stands next to a man in a suit, who wears a lanyard around his neck. A man is sitting at the computer with his back to the camera. In front of all three people pictured is a wall covered with screens, each of which shows CCTV images.

Inside the Boots nerve centre where operators track Surrey’s shoplifters in real time

Posted on | by Alex Winter

SURREY’S Police and Crime Commissioner has visited a high-tech nerve centre which tackles retail crime at Boots branches across the country. 

Lisa Townsend travelled to Beeston in Nottinghamshire to see the work of the chain’s CCTV Monitoring Centre. 

The hub receives hundreds of alerts a day from its shops in the UK. Staff can press alarms for central support and live monitoring if they have suspicions about a customer.

Earlier this year, 22-year-old John Ward, of Ashford, was sentenced to two years in prison after admitting shoplifting items worth more than £60,000. 

Shoplifter jailed

Goods were stolen from Boots, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Co-op stores in Surrey, Thames Valley, Kent, London, Cleveland, Cheshire and Durham. 

Surrey Police arrested Ward after the Boots intelligence hub reported 19 connected incidents to the Force. 

The facility features 18 huge screens displaying live CCTV feeds. A team of security specialists respond in real time, either taking over a store’s loudspeakers to deter shoplifters, or warning the suspect that they’re being watched. 

Where a suspect is identified, the local police force is notified. 

In Surrey, 30 of the 36 Boots stores have reported an incident into Auror, a crime reporting network which connects retailers and local police forces, over the past 18 months. The top stores to report are in Walton-on-Thames and Farnham.

CCTV hub

In 2023, Boots contributed £800,000 towards Operation Pegasus, a national police operation which uses CCTV and facial recognition technology to target criminals. 

Retail crime is a key priority for both the Commissioner and senior leaders at Surrey Police.

In the past year, there have been 800 additional shoplifting charges, and the arrest rate for these crimes has more than doubled. 

Lisa said: “Retail crime harms communities in Surrey and across the UK. 

“Tackling it head on”

“It is not a victimless crime. Instead, it leads to fear and loss across huge swathes of our society, from business owners to employees and customers. 

“The Force is committed to tackling retail crime head on, and to do that, they need reports. 

“The tireless work of staff at Boots CCTV Monitoring Centre is helping our officers to secure convictions and drive offenders out of our high streets. 

“I commend Boots for its investment to protect staff and customers.” 

The image shows the inside of a dark room. The focus is a large wall along the back of the room, which is covered with television screens that show CCTV images. People are working at desks in front of the screens, and their computers also show CCTV images.

The hub shows live CCTV images from Boots stores across the UK

The image shows PCSO Becca Bullock, Woking MP Will Forster, Dame Diana Johnson, Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, and Woking Borough Commander Inspector Ed Lyons standing in Woking town centre. Everyone is looking forwards and smiling in the posed shot.

Six days without a report of crime: How police are ‘problem-solving’ offending in Woking town centre

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Not a single crime was reported in Woking town centre for six days in a row this summer as police use data to ‘problem-solve’ offending. 

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said the Force is turning the tide on criminals with “back-to-basics” policing – a key priority in her Police and Crime Plan. 

The Commissioner joined Woking’s Borough Commander Inspector Ed Lyons, Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson, and Woking MP Will Forster for a summit in the town this week. 

During the meeting, Inspector Lyons said partnership working between Surrey Police, Woking Borough Council, local retailers and The Peacocks Centre is having a dramatic effect. 

One initiative has seen PCSOs and officers hosting regular Meet the Beat sessions at eight local retailers across Woking, as well as making routine visits to chat with staff and customers. Across these eight stores, retail crime has dropped by a total of 60 per cent.

Crime drops in Woking

The Force is also using an empty retail space in the Victoria Place Shopping Centre to host a Cop Shop Stop for residents and visitors to attend, as well as meetings with partners. 

This work forms part of Surrey’s Safer Streets Summer, a wide-ranging programme of events across 11 town centres in the county. The initiative targets crime types that typically increase during the summer months, including anti-social behaviour, violence against women and girls, retail crime, and violent offending. 

Lisa said: “I’d like to thank Dame Diana for joining the team in Woking for this fantastic event. 

“Police in the town used data and intelligence to pinpoint the areas where criminality was proportionately more common. Their aim is not just to respond to offending, but to stop it taking place altogether. 

“Recently, there were six consecutive days where no crimes were reported in the town centre, with another 48 hours of no reports shortly after that. However, we urge anyone who needs to contact their police to do so, either on 101 or by calling 999 in an emergency. 

“Back to basics”

“This problem-solving work is back-to-basics policing at its finest, which is a priority in my Police and Crime Plan. 

“By working with businesses and the borough council, the team are making a huge difference to one of Surrey’s most vibrant and busy town centres.” 

Insp Lyons told Dame Diana: “We want to make sure people in Woking are aware that this is their town, and they have a right to feel safe and secure.

“We are using intelligence-led policing backed by data to determine crime patterns, and then deploying high-visibility patrols and enhanced CCTV use.

“This hard work can be seen across the county having obtained over 1,200 shoplifting charges, a 32.3% increase on the previous year, and increased arrest rates by 12.1%.

“We are also working closely with our partners to ensure this work can last.”

The image shows Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, a blonde woman who is wearing a white top, looking directly into the camera. Behind her is a backdrop which reads, 'Welcome to Surrey Police.'

Commissioner welcomes police officer pay increase – but urges Government to commit to future funding

Posted on | by Alex Winter

SURREY’S Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, has welcomed a 4.2 per cent pay rise for police officers in England and Wales. 

The Government last week accepted recommendations from the Police Remuneration Review Body to increase the pay award for all ranks, up to and including Chief Superintendent. 

Many police forces, including Surrey, had budgeted for a 2.8 per cent increase in police officer wages for this year, and the Government has said it will provide an additional £120million grant nationally to meet the additional cost. It is not yet known how much of the grant will be allocated for Surrey.

There is no confirmation yet if that grant will continue to be made to forces in future years. 

In Surrey, the cost of the additional pay rise, if it was not funded by the Government, would equate to an extra £6 on the precept, the part of council tax that goes towards policing in the county.

Officer pay to rise

The Commissioner said: “Our police teams in Surrey routinely put themselves in harm’s way to protect residents. They run towards incidents that others run from to keep communities safe. 

“I am delighted with the news that the Government is recognising the amazing job they do. This increase in pay is the least they deserve for their professionalism, dedication and service. 

“I would also like to pay tribute to the work of police staff, whose increase will not be funded by the Government, but who are no less deserving. 

“Scenes of crime investigators, 999 and 101 call-takers, PCSOs, dog handlers and designated detention officers are all examples of police staff roles, and their value to Surrey Police cannot be overstated. 

Commissioner’s warning

“The wage increase, as welcome as it is, exceeds the salary increases budgeted for by many forces, including Surrey.

“While the £120m grant is welcome to help us meet the additional cost of the pay award, it does not factor in other costs, including pensions and overtime. 

“It is no secret that policing is under significant financial pressure and rising demand. 

“Here in Surrey, we are poorly-served by the funding formula and receive the lowest level of Government grant in England.

Call to Government

“Our residents contribute 55 per cent of the total cost of policing through council tax, while the remaining 45 per cent is provided as a grant. 

“I am now calling on the Government to confirm that it will commit to funding this pay increase in future years

“This funding settlement must be sustainable, or in the longer-term Surrey Police and other forces may face challenges that impact the delivery of both policing and financial planning. 

“Policing in Surrey and around the country is becoming ever more complex. I remain committed to ensuring our officers and staff can meet that challenge.” 

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson, a blonde woman who wears a beige roll-neck jumper, looks directly into the camera. Her expression is stern and her arms are folded.

Deputy Commissioner says catapults must be treated similarly to knives in letter to ministers

Posted on | by Alex Winter

SURREY’S Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner has called on the Government to tighten up laws on the sale and possession of catapults. 

In a letter Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Ellie Vesey-Thompson said there is an urgent need for further action. 

Ellie warned catapults must be subject to the same rules as knives, giving police greater powers to crack down on those who use them as weapons. 

It comes as attacks on wild fowl spike in Surrey. The Shepperton Swan Sanctuary has rescued around 30 wounded birds this year, and a similar number are believed to have died through injuries sustained by projectiles fired from catapults. 

Sanctuary volunteer Danni Rogers started a petition calling for the sale of catapults and petition to be made illegal. It received more than 10,000 signatures, including that of Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend. 

The previous Government responded to the petition with a statement that says existing legislation provides the “correct balance between protecting wildlife… whilst also allowing the public to enjoy legitimate pastimes”. 

Police officers can use their powers to deal with offences involving catapults, but Ellie said additional power of seizure to prevent criminal behaviour would support communities across the country. 

Catapults are also linked to anti-social behaviour in Surrey. In 2024, cars parked at a church were targeted with projectiles in a Tandridge village, and there have been reports of animals seriously injured when they were fired at in Ash Vale during May. 

“Treat catapults as we would knives”

Ellie said: “I am urging the Government to listen to the concerns of Surrey’s residents. 

“It is time to start treating catapults as we would knives. Anyone caught with one must have a legitimate purpose for doing so, and it should be their responsibility to prove that purpose if they’re stopped by the police. 

“Attacks on wild birds are increasing in Surrey. In late February, a swan was rescued from the banks of the Thames in Staines with a missile lodged in its head.

“The previous month, a duck was severely injured by a ball-bearing fired from a catapult. 

Horror injuries

“In May, people with catapults were seen at Chertsey Bridge firing at swans and ducks, and just over the border in Fleet, Hampshire, a male swan suffered an extensive facial injury at a nature reserve, while the body of a goose with similar injuries was also found. 

“Both had been attacked with ball bearings fired from a catapult. 

“The connection between catapults and both anti-social behaviour and vandalism are clear. These are key concerns for residents, and the time has come for stronger measures to tackle this type of offending. 

“These incidents are deeply distressing. In the wrong hands, catapults can be deadly, and more legislation is urgently needed.”  

Read Ellie’s letter here.

The image shows a large white block with the letters 'Mike' and some lines carved into the surface. To the left is a policing device called a Forensigraph, which is a special type of ruler used in forensics. The block is cocaine seized in Redhill.

Drug supply gang found with 10kg of cocaine jailed during Safer Redhill crackdown

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Four members of an organised drug supply chain have been jailed after they were arrested as part of the Safer Redhill crime crackdown.

Christopher Brewer, 35, was arrested as he was caught loading a black bin liner filled with five kilograms of cocaine into the back of his Audi in Redhill last May. He had been tracked after officers suspected he was involved in the supply of class As.

Warrants were then carried out at addresses linked to Brewer and his group at addresses in Redhill, Reigate and Crawley. Vehicles linked to the group were also stopped, including a BMW being driven by Maria Rivas Santos, 32.

The BMW, which was forcibly stopped by armed officers as it travelled through London, had a further five kilograms of cocaine in a laundry bag in the boot.

Another stop resulted in the arrest of Michael White, 54, suspected of being a courier for the group. He was found with a carrier bag containing quarter of a kilo of cocaine stuffed in his underwear.

The image shows the mug shots of four people, all of whom are looking into the camera. They are, clockwise from top left, Michael White, Maria Rivas Santos, Craig Brewer and Chris Brewer.

Clockwise from top left, Michael White, Maria Rivas Santos, Craig Brewer and Chris Brewer



Safer Redhill success

Christopher Brewer’s older brother, Craig, 38, was also arrested for conspiracy to supply Class A Drugs. Wraps of cocaine were found on his person, and a further 29 grams of cocaine was found at his home, where attempts had been made to flush some of the drugs down the toilet.  Around £10,000 in cash was also found at the address.

Evidence also showed Christopher Brewer had previously purchased an additional 15kg of cocaine from a Liverpool-based crime group.

At the time of the arrests, which were made following an investigation by Surrey Police’s Serious Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), officers and partners including the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and the YMCA had launched the Safer Redhill partnership.

The initiative utilised Safer Streets funding secured by Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend and her team, as well as an additional grant from the Commissioner’s Community Safety Fund. 

Safer Redhill adopts the Clear, Hold, Build framework. 

Drug supply chain members jailed

The three-stage approach involves police relentlessly pursuing criminals to ‘clear’ an area, maintaining a hold over the location to prevent further offending, and then working in tandem with partners to build resilience so it is less likely to be targeted in the future. 

It has resulted in a significant decrease across many crime types. In the year to April 2025, reports of shoplifting in Redhill have dropped by 16 per cent, while reported sexual assault has decreased by 19 per cent, grievous bodily harm by 43 per cent and robbery by 56 per cent. 

Last week, Brewer, Brewer, White and Santos were sentenced at Guildford Crown Court after admitting the charges against them.

  • Christopher Brewer, from Reigate, was sentenced to 11 years, six months in prison for conspiracy to supply class A drugs, two years, to be served concurrently, for conspiracy to acquire/use/possess criminal property, and six months, to be served concurrently, for perverting the course of justice.
  • Craig Brewer, from Redhill, was sentenced to six years, five months in prison for conspiracy to supply class A drugs and 12 months, to be served concurrently, for conspiracy to acquire/use/possess criminal property.
  • Michael White, from Crawley, was sentenced to five years, three months in prison for conspiracy to supply class A drugs, and nine months, to be served concurrently, for conspiracy to acquire/use/possess criminal property.
  • Maria Rivas Santos, from Liverpool, was sentenced to four years, eight months in prison for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Cocaine seized

Detective Constable Matt Earl, from Surrey Police’s SOCU, said: “Through the hard work and perseverance our SOCU team, supported by colleagues from various teams within Surrey Police as well as the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit, were able to catch them in the act.

“Now, not only are they in jail, but 10kg of cocaine is off our streets and out of our communities hitting organised criminals where it hurts the most – in their pockets.”

Inspector Jon Vale, Borough Commander for Reigate and Banstead, said: “I know the police activity at addresses in Redhill, Reigate and Horley in May last year caused some concern amongst local residents.

“But I hope it also reassures people we are working hard to flush out criminals from our midst and have an on-going commitment to keeping our towns safe places to live and work.

“Drugs destroy communities”

“This is not just about taking drugs off the streets; drugs destroy communities by contributing to rises in other offences like violence and even untimely deaths.

“Tackling those who proliferate their use has a positive impact on the whole area and continues to be a priority for us.”

Home Office officials visited Redhill last month, with Clear, Hold, Build architect Shane Roberts calling the successes achieved “remarkable”.

The image shows Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend walking through a town centre with two police officers in uniform. Lisa, who has blonde hair, stands on the right of the image. She wears a black jacket and trousers. The officers, one male and one female, are wearing their uniforms and police hats, and they are in the middle of a conversation with Lisa as they all walk past a branch of Marks and Spencer.

“It’s what residents want to see”: Surrey’s Safer Streets Summer begins

Posted on | by Alex Winter

A MAJOR new campaign to keep Surrey’s town centres safe over the summer has launched. 

The Home Office-backed Safer Streets Summer Initiative will see a focus on the busiest areas of the county to bolster crime prevention and community safety. 

The scheme, which brings together the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Surrey Police and partners across Surrey, including schools, councils, health services, businesses, and transport and community organisations, aims to tackle crimes that blight communities. 

Anti-social behaviour, violence against women and girls, retail crime and violent offending will be among the types of criminality targeted with visible patrols and special police operations. These crime types typically increase during the summer months.

Officers will also proactively use anti-social behaviour powers and visit retail premises to offer advice, reassurance and support. 



Major summer campaign begins

Locations for the initiative span the county, including Staines and Addlestone in the north, Farnham and Camberley in the west, Dorking further to the south, and Caterham in the east. 

Targeted activity will take place until September, with a range of activities planned in each of the towns. 

Plain-clothed officers will spot signs of suspicious behaviour in the county’s busiest nightspots, while joint operations are set to target crime enabled by motorbikes and mopeds. 

Youth engagement officers will work with partners to find opportunities for young people during school holidays, and roads policing teams will be on the lookout for dangerous or distracted drivers. 

Targeted operations

Officers will also mount specific patrols tackling retail crime and anti-social behaviour in tandem with partners from environmental health, licensing and trading standards. 

News of the initiative comes as Surrey marks national Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week.

Anti-social behaviour is a key priority for the county’s Safer Neighbourhood Teams throughout the year, and more information on how to report anti-social behaviour or access help can be found here. 

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has made available funding for any developing town centre work that needs support over the course of the summer.  

The Commissioner said: “While Surrey remains one of the safest places to live in the country, I know that anti-social behaviour, retail crime and violence against women and girls are among the issues that matter most in our communities.

“It’s what residents want to see”

“The Safer Streets Summer Initiative will allow police officers and staff, along with our fantastic partners, to put a spotlight on neighbourhood policing and community safety. 

“This type of visibility is what residents have told me they want to see. 

“The aim isn’t simply police enforcement – it’s collaboration, and we aim not only to respond to crime, but to prevent it altogether. 

“A huge range of activities will be taking place across the summer. 

“More anti-social behaviour warning letters will be sent out, while data and intelligence will be used to identify areas that are disproportionately impacted by specific crime types. 

Tailored plan of action

“There will also be various days of targeted action and close working with some of our key partners. 

“We will work with Business Improvement Districts to protect retailers and support vulnerable children to divert them away from crime. 

“Each of the town centres identified for additional work as part of the scheme will see its own tailored plan of action unfolding over the summer months. 

“I look forward to sharing more about this initiative in the weeks to come, and I wish all residents a Safer Streets Summer of their own.” 

The image shows a group of people sitting inside a van. All are looking at the camera and smiling. The people include Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson, who sits on the far left and wears a pink coat. It also includes police officers in uniform.

“Transformative” strategy to tackle criminality and restore pride sees crime drop in Redhill

Posted on | by Alex Winter

A “TRANSFORMATIVE” strategy to build pride in Redhill has seen crime in the town drop. 

The Safer Redhill scheme, which has drawn in partners including Surrey Police, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and the YMCA, has resulted in a significant decrease in offences including sexual assault, robbery and shoplifting.

The initiative utilised Safer Streets funding secured by Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend and her team, as well as an additional grant from the Commissioner’s Community Safety Fund. 

In the year to April 2025, reports of shoplifting in Redhill have dropped by 16 per cent, while reported sexual assault has decreased by 19 per cent, grievous bodily harm by 43 per cent and robbery by 56 per cent. 

An increase in the use of stop and search has led to a significant rise in arrests for possession of a bladed article or other offensive weapon.

Crime drop

More than 150 arrests have been made, and 30 years of prison time handed down to offenders, while 10kg of cocaine with a potential value of £800,000 was taken off the streets. 

The project adopts the Clear, Hold, Build framework. 

The three-stage approach involves police relentlessly pursuing criminals to ‘clear’ an area, maintaining a hold over the location to prevent further offending, and then working in tandem with partners to build resilience so it is less likely to be targeted in the future. 

Clear, Hold, Build is set to be rolled out in three more Surrey towns, which will be revealed in the coming months. 

In June, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson visited Redhill with Home Office officials and senior officers from Surrey Police to see the work that has been done. 

Success in Redhill

Shane Roberts, the architect of Clear, Hold, Build, was among those to join the visit, and will be using the scheme as a “remarkable” example of national excellence in the future.

He told the meeting he had initially been unsure that the initiative would work in a town centre, but said: “It’s one of the best sites I’ve seen go through the three processes nationally.”

Lisa said: “While Safer Streets funding is no longer made available by this Government, the same principles that resulted in such huge successes in Redhill will soon be applied to three further areas of Surrey. 

Partnership work

“We have seen a range of police-led initiatives across Redhill, from drugs operations at the train station to plain-clothed deployments and retail crime crackdowns. 

“But the true success of the scheme lies in partnership work.

“For example, I am pleased that Safer Streets funding secured by my team and I has helped cover the costs of initiatives such as the YMCA bus, which has been used to engage with more than 1,300 young people in their communities. 

“Street lighting has been installed by the council in areas where residents feared anti-social behaviour at night, and a shelter that attracted large groups was removed. 

“Transformative”

“Youth mentoring service Ment4 has worked with 3,555 young people to educate them on the reality of substance misuse and gangs. 

“This is deep-rooted, transformative work that we believe will result in both a lasting legacy and a stronger community. 

“Clear, Hold, Build uses intelligence and data to crack down on place-based harm, and I’m delighted that more towns will be launching the initiative in the future. 

“I wish Surrey Police’s officers and staff, as well as our brilliant partners across the county, every success as they begin their journey.” 

The image shows a building in a park. The building has been painted with a large graffiti-style mural, which features the word 'life' in yellow against a pink background and an image of a young girl with curly hair smiling broadly with her mouth open.

A building in Memorial Park has been given a makeover with a graffiti-style mural

The image shows a group of people standing in front of a wall with graffiti artwork on it. The group includes officers in uniform, and at the centre is Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, who wears a stripy long-sleeved top and sailor-style trousers, and Surrey Police's Chief Constable, who wears a short-sleeved shirt with epaulettes and a tie. Everyone in the group is looking at the camera and smiling.

How table football and fist bumps help police build relationships with young people in Camberley

Posted on | by Alex Winter

EVER wondered how good Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner is at table tennis? 

As children and young people from Camberley found out this week, the answer is: surprisingly good. 

And members of the Club Dean youth centre also discovered that Surrey Heath Borough Commander Ryan Scott is unbeatable at table football, while the Force’s Chief Constable Tim De Meyer plays a sharp game of pool. 

Lisa Townsend joined officers and staff after their working day had ended to celebrate national Neighbourhood Policing Week of Action. 

The event shines a spotlight on the vital work of neighbourhood officers, PCSOs and volunteers to protect the public and keep people safe. 



Club visit

Surrey Heath councillors Shaun Garrett and Trefor Hogg, who have been instrumental to the club’s success, also attended on the night to welcome the team. 

It comes as Lisa commits just over £31,000 to fund a youth worker at Club Dean. The post aims to promote community safety and provide opportunities to young people on the estate. 

Ahead of the visit, Lisa answered questions on crime and policing from 50 students at Collingwood College before joining officers and PCSOs from the Surrey Heath Safer Neighbourhood Team on a patrol of the Old Dean estate. 

The Commissioner has a dedicated funding stream for opportunities that support children and young people and divert them away from crime. 

“No child should be afraid”

She said: “We want every child and young person in Surrey to have the tools they need for healthy, safe, happy lives. 

“As part of that, no child should ever be afraid to speak to police or view officers as the enemy. 

“That’s why I’m so grateful the team at Surrey Heath have taken the time to join me at Club Dean after their working day has ended to play games with the young people here.

“It was lovely to see young members welcome officers with some fantastic questions and some fist bumps too. 

Breaking down barriers

“I’m also delighted that our Chief Constable, who used to volunteer at a boxing club on the Old Dean estate, has been able to join in. 

“He’s proven to be a wonderful pool player, although I did spot him secretly potting a red for his young opponent while she wasn’t looking. 

“Meeting children in a setting like this breaks down barriers and build relationships.

“But they aren’t the only people to benefit from the team’s visit today. 

Officers’ impact

“Some adults who are struggling with homelessness have been spoken to by the officers and PCSOs, along with the fantastic team at the Hope Hub – a charity I support through funding that aims to relieve poverty across the borough. 

“That’s why the Force’s role in Surrey’s neighbourhoods is so crucial. Our officers can impact lives for years to come. 

“It also makes me so proud that I can support organisations like Club Dean and the Hope Hub. Their work has the power to make real, lasting change.” 

The picture shows a large group of people standing in front of a van with an awning over it. Among the group are people wearing Surrey Police-branded outfits. At the forefront stand Commissioner Lisa Townsend, who wears yellow trousers, and Deputy Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson, who is in jeans. To their left is Borough Commander Matt Walton, who wears a shirt and tie. All of those in the image are standing on a field. They are all looking at the camera and smiling.

Students have a field day as officers join teams for Spelthorne’s annual Cop Cup

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Dozens of students from Spelthorne schools faced off for the second annual Cop Cup at Halliford School in Shepperton during June.

The contest, organised by the Safer Neighbourhood Team, sees officers and PCSOs from across the borough joining pupils’ teams for a series of games.

As well as the competition for the trophy, young people who are currently in Year 9 had the opportunity to take part in a range of activities, including tug of war competitions and sporting challenges organised by Active Surrey.

Brentford FC also attended to chat to attendees and hand out kit, and officers involved in conflict training gave demonstrations with riot shields and fake ‘pepper spray’.

The event aims to help build relationships and trust between Surrey Police teams and students, as well as diverting young people away from crime.

Relationship building

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend and Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson enjoyed the final game, which saw Halliford pupils facing off against students from Thomas Knyvett in Ashford.

Thomas Knyvett’s team eventually lifted the trophy, which was presented by the Deputy Commissioner.

Spelthorne’s Borough Commander Matt Walton then gave a speech to commemorate the day before students boarded buses back to school.

Lisa said: “It is such a pleasure for Ellie and I to join events like these.

“Every student was polite and well-mannered, and I hope they all had a fantastic time.

“Such a pleasure”

“Officers and PCSOs enjoyed the opportunity to chat to young people and help break down some barriers.

“Their work today will build relationships that I believe will last long into the future.

“We saw some truly sportsmanlike behaviour, and I’d like to thank everyone who gave their time to make the event as wonderful as it was.

“I look forward to joining the current Year 8s next year.”