Category: Local policing

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

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

Posted on | by Alex Winter

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

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

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

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

Police’s successes in Ashford

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

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

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

“Tide is being turned”

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

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

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

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

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

Residents packed the hall for the meeting in Ashford

Planned reforms will silence residents’ voices on policing says Surrey’s Police Crime Commissioner

Posted on | by Nathan Rees

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has voiced her concerns that wide-ranging police reform announced today will take away the public’s voice on policing in Surrey.

The Commissioner said the new planned police structure unveiled in the Home Office’s white paper on police reform will place unprecedented power in the hands of just two people at the centre.

These two people are the Home Secretary and the Commissioner of a new National Police Service.

Lisa said she feared that, coupled with plans to merge local forces, this would result in any local accountability being lost.   

Police reform

While police reform is badly needed, there is little evidence base for many of the proposals outlined in today’s white paper, and that significant investment will be required to successfully implement many of the plans, she said.

The Commissioner said: “There is no argument that police reform is long overdue.

“There is merit in a National Police Service to handle some of the more complex crime investigation, such as fraud and counter terrorism.

“But the plans are to also draw functions such as roads policing into the centre, which I believe will be detrimental to those teams who will lose that local knowledge that is so important to the work they do.

Commissioner’s concern

“The white paper also outlines how targets will be set for 999 performance and deployment to incidents.

“Here in Surrey, we are already meeting those targets and I fail to see how this will drive further improvements.

“I have already said any potential Surrey Police merger with neighbouring forces would be a disaster for our residents.

Having now seen the detail in today’s white paper, there is little to allay my fears that resources would be diverted from Surrey communities, diluting our neighbourhood policing.

“How many years left?”

“Policing must be rooted in the local communities it serves.

“By placing all the power and decision-making in the hands of only two people, my fear is that local accountability will be lost and the ability of local residents to shape how policing affects their lives will be severely restricted.

“This year marks the 175th anniversary of Surrey Police.

“There will be many in the county wondering today how many years it has left.”

The image shows Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, a blonde woman wearing a white shirt, standing in front of a large sign that reads 'Welcome to Surrey Police'. She is looking directly at the camera with a slight smile on her face.

Plans to merge police into ‘mega forces’ would be a ‘disaster’ for Surrey, says Police and Crime Commissioner

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend says any plans to merge Surrey Police with neighbouring forces would be a “complete disaster” for the county’s residents.

The Government’s anticipated White Paper on police reform, which is due to be published next week, is reported to include proposals to significantly reduce the current number of forces across England and Wales.

It could lead to the creation of ‘mega forces’, with Surrey potentially merging with other neighbouring forces in the south east.

The Government proposals are expected to say this is to save money and boost crime-fighting efforts, but Lisa says she fears this would divert resources from Surrey communities and dilute neighbourhood policing in the county.

“Disaster”

The Commissioner said: “I believe this would be a complete disaster for Surrey residents. We are the safest county in the south east with no city and much lower crime rates than our neighbours.

“My fear is that resources would be pulled away from our communities to support higher crime areas leaving Surrey with a second-rate service.

“Our residents already pay a high price for their policing through their council tax contributions and have told me loud and clear how much they value the local policing presence in their neighbourhoods.

“Surrey Police have made great strides in recent years in increasing visibility and tackling those crimes important to the public.

Commissioner’s concerns

“I believe the creation of regional forces would not only be expensive and complex to deliver, but here in Surrey would result in the dilution of both local accountability and the service our residents rightly expect.

“Police reform is absolutely necessary and we want to work with the Government to create better ways to tackle issues nationally, such as serious organised crime which is expected to form part of the White Paper next week.

“But my fear is that any merger plans could potentially delay and derail those ambitions.

“Local policing needs to be left to local police forces to deliver. At a time when we need to rebuild public confidence in policing, these potential merger plans serve only to distance our policing teams from the communities they serve.

“Our residents deserve better than this.”

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.

150 arrests as repeat offenders targeted during new Safer Epsom and Ewell partnership

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Police have made 150 arrests as part of a new Safer Epsom and Ewell partnership that has been partly-funded by Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend.

Shoplifters, drug dealers, prolific offenders and those using vehicles like e-bikes and mopeds to commit crime are among those who have been targeted by policing teams.

The new initiative, designed to cut crime and foster pride in the town, brings together Surrey Police, Epsom and Ewell Borough Council, and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, as well as local business and community partners.

The project adopts the College of Policing’s ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ framework, a three-stage approach where police ‘clear’ offenders from Epsom and Ewell and work in tandem with partners to ensure criminals don’t return.

It comes after a survey of residents found drug dealing and use is a major concern. Only 26 per cent of those surveyed said they feel the borough is a safe place to live.

Safer Epsom and Ewell

Over the past six months, 150 arrests have been made. Ten ‘county lines’ drug dealing gangs have been shut down and more than £20,000-worth of class A drugs seized, along with eight knives and £20,000 in cash.

Police have used data to identify the most prolific offenders, and are working with partners in criminal justice, local authorities and housing to tackle persistent criminality. Dedicated operations to tackle violence against women and girls are also taking place.

Borough Commander Inspector Tommy Pearson said: “The community of Epsom and Ewell has the right to feel safe in the area they call home, and this partnership represents a long-term commitment to that principle. 

“Policing action over the last six months has sought to target our prolific offenders, disrupt drug county lines and reduce the harm caused by criminality for members of the community. 

“Residents were keen for action in the town, and I am hopeful, along with the fellow officers on my team, that this is evident in our efforts so far.” 

Prolific offenders targeted

Throughout December, officers from the Epsom and Ewell Safer Neighbourhood Team were deployed as part of Operation Jingle, which featured high-visibility patrols in town centres.

Detections for theft rose to 45 per cent during the operation, compared with a national average of 20 per cent.

Sergeant James Pegg of the Epsom and Ewell Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “We are determined to drive crime and disorder out of the town centre and Operation Jingle, despite the jovial name, has set a hard-line stance against theft and drug offenders.  

“The operation has been hugely successful.

County lines tackled

“Being out in the community we serve in large numbers has received positive feedback from our residents and visitors alike, and has sent a strong message to those that wish to steal and harm: you are not welcome in our town.”

In the months to come, the Force will work alongside the North East Surrey College of Technology (NESCOT), Surrey County Council, Town and Country Housing and the borough council in a bid to make lasting change.

The focus of work will fall on six key areas: housing; anti-social behaviour; improving the local environment; increasing access to opportunities and resources to help women and girls; promoting youth voice; and employment.

The Commissioner has contributed £20,000 from her dedicated Serious Violence Duty fund and helped to secure further funding from the Government’s hotspot policing grant for Safer Epsom and Ewell.

The initiative follows the success of Safer Redhill, which also used Clear, Hold, Build and saw offending drop in the town.

“Lasting legacy”

She said: “The persistent offenders who have repeatedly committed crimes in Epsom and Ewell should be very worried. The message is clear – we are coming for you.

“Safer Epsom and Ewell uses intelligence and data to crack down on place-based harm.

“I believe it will leave a lasting legacy of safer streets, stronger communities, and excellent partnership working, and I am delighted to help fund the initiative.

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

Happy 175th anniversary Surrey Police!

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, is celebrating the 175th anniversary of Surrey Police with a series of special features and pictures on the history of the Force.

The Commissioner will be delving into the archives to highlight some of the key moments spanning nearly two centuries since Surrey Police was created which will be featured on the PCC’s website and social media channels.

Lisa Townsend holding a picture of PC Charles Carpenter – one of the earliest images of a Surrey Constabulary officer taken in 1857

Founded on January 1st, 1851, Surrey Police was originally named Surrey Constabulary until 1993 and originated with only seventy police officers and five superintendents. 

Over the decades, the evolution of a single unitary Force has developed whilst encountering growth, divide, mergers, re-structuring and boundary changes.

Murder of a clergyman

The establishment of Surrey Constabulary in 1851 came at a time of rising fear in the county where a group of violent criminals known as the ‘Isaacs Gang’ terrorised the areas of Surrey and Sussex throughout the 1840s. 

The murder of clergyman, Reverand Hollest at his home in Frimley in 1850 caused significant public alarm and has been viewed as the catalyst in bringing together formal organised policing in the county.



Adversity, courage and humanity

Lisa Townsend says: “I’m fascinated by the history of the Force and plan to share stories in which Surrey police have pioneered, alongside policing tales of adversity, courage and humanity.

“A great believer that ‘a picture tells a thousand words’, I’m going to post a ‘policing picture of the week’ over the next few months that’s been carefully selected from the archives. 

“My first image is of PC Charles Carpenter that was taken in 1857 and is one of the first known photographs of a serving Surrey Constabulary officer. 

“Blinded in one eye after being hit by a stone on the job, PC Carpenter served the villagers of Clandon and would have earnt a weekly wage of around 18 shillings, or 12p in today’s money.

A proud history

“The history of the Force is both fascinating and enriching.  As the new year beckons, I want to say a huge thank you to all Surrey police officers and staff – both former and current – for their dedication and resolve.

“Without them, there wouldn’t be a history to be proud of”.

Today, Surrey Police has a workforce of around 4,000 officers and staff, serving 1.2 million residents of Surrey and an area of 642 square miles.

Find out more on our new dedicated webpage, which you can find here.

The image shows Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, a blonde woman in a green dress, standing in front of a brick building. The building has a sign outside which reveals it to be the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. Lisa is leaning against a blue handrail, looking directly into the camera, and smiling.

New Surrey Police base set for Redhill next year, Commissioner announces

Posted on | by Nathan Rees

A new Surrey Police base is set to be created following the successful purchase of a site in the Redhill area, the Police and Crime Commissioner has announced today.

The building at Perrywood Business Park on Honeycrock Lane in Salfords has been bought with a view to providing a permanent police station and front counter for the public.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend hailed the purchase, which was finalised this week, as great news for the Force’s policing presence in East Surrey.

It follows an extensive search for a potential site in the Reigate and Banstead area.

New base

In 2023, police teams were forced to move out of the old Reigate Police Station following the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).

Many have been operating out of a temporary location at nearby Wray Park in the meantime.

Last year Surrey Police announced plans to build a brand new Eastern Divisional HQ at a site in Leatherhead already owned by the Force and recently received resolution to grant planning permission,

But the Police and Crime Commissioner and senior Force leaders also wanted to find a secondary site in the Reigate and Banstead area for a police station and front counter service for residents.

The building at Perrywood Business Park was the only site in the area that met the requirements and will be funded by the sale of the previous Reigate Police Station.

The Commissioner believes the new building will be fit for purpose offering sufficient space and facilities for policing teams with ample parking and good local transport links which will help Surrey Police to continue delivering the high levels of service residents expect.

“Bright future”

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “I know how much residents value their local policing presence so this is really fantastic news for our communities in the area.

“The discovery of RAAC and subsequent closure of Reigate Police Station has meant it has been a disruptive time for our hard-working teams in East Surrey.

“I want to pay tribute to their continued patience, professionalism and resilience in challenging circumstances.

“The search for a site in the Reigate and Banstead area has been extensive and Perrywood was the only building which met our needs so I am delighted that we have been able to secure the purchase.

“I believe that together with the progress being made on our new Eastern Division HQ in Leatherhead, this heralds a bright future for policing in East Surrey.”

Deputy Chief Constable of Surrey Police Mark McEwan said: “We believe this new building will provide sufficient space and facilities for our teams, be fit for purpose and enable us to continue delivering the high levels of service our residents expect. 

“Whilst we are still at the very early stages, considerations continue into where individual teams across the Eastern division will be based in the future and we will provide updates as and when we have them.  

“The safety of our communities remains our priority and there will be no change to officers continuing to patrol across the towns and villages of the local area as they already do. ”

The image shows two police officers photographed from behind walking down a busy high street.

Retail crime charges rise by 465 per cent in Surrey as report on the impact of offending is released

Posted on | by Alex Winter

More shoplifters are facing justice in Surrey as officers crack down on offenders targeting businesses. 

A 465 per cent increase in shoplifting charges has been recorded by Surrey Police over the past two years.

It comes as Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner and retail crime leads from Surrey Police release their first-ever retail crime report, which sets out the Force’s commitment to victims. 

The report, available to download as PDF here, has been published following a survey of the business community earlier this year. 

Respondents to the survey shared their experiences with retail crime, with some saying insurance premiums had gone up because of repeat incidents. Others said they felt unable to protect themselves from theft. 

Report released

In the spring, Surrey Police launched its Retail Crime Strategy, which commits the Force to attending reports where appropriate, following all reasonable lines of enquiry, targeting repeat offenders and tackling organised criminal networks. 

Positive outcomes for shoplifting have increased since Surrey Police’s Chief Constable, Tim De Meyer, launched his plan for the Force two years ago. 

Positive outcomes for shoplifting have increased dramatically since Surrey Police’s Chief Constable, Tim De Meyer, launched his plan for the Force two years ago. 

Charges have risen by 465 per cent. A total of 1,347 crimes have been charged this year, 1,109 more than were charged in 2023.

Charges rise

The Force aims to increase its rate by 430 charges in the next nine months, which mean Surrey Police were charging one in every four retail crime offences.

More than a quarter – 27.3 per cent – of all shoplifting reports are now resulting in a ‘solved outcome’, which includes charges, summons, community resolutions and cautions. 

Overall, charges for all types of offending in Surrey have more than doubled in a year. 

“Retailers are exhausted”

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, said: “The responses we had to our survey demonstrated very clearly the impact that retail crime has on the business community in Surrey. 

“Retailers are feeling demoralised, exhausted and, in some cases, frightened. It is not acceptable that anyone trying simply to do their job should be targeted by criminals. 

“Retail crime often goes hand-in-hand with other serious offending, including abuse, threats and violence, as well as organised criminality. 

“Its victims include every one of us impacted by rising costs, as well as entire communities who feel less safe. 

Force ‘on a journey’

“It is vital that it is taken seriously. 

“The overall picture in Surrey is one of significant improvement, although there is still a long road ahead to get to where we need to be. 

“We are committed to that journey. This type of offending is a priority for Surrey.” 

Chief Inspector Andy Hill, of Surrey Police, leads the Force’s response to retail crime. 

Work with business community

He said: “We have made positive steps towards tackling retail crime and keeping communities across the county safe. 

“However, we want to do more. 

“Tackling retail crime is a collective effort, and we are committed to working with the business community to drive out offending. 

“While the statistics show we are going in the right direction, it’s important to remember that at the heart of every offence are real victims who may be deeply affected. 

“We must continue to do the right thing for every one of them.” 

More than 100 retailers sign pledge aimed at driving down knife crime during Op Sceptre

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Retailers across Surrey have pledged to sell blades responsibly as part of a new campaign to tackle knife crime. 

During Operation Sceptre, a twice-yearly national campaign to drive down knife crime rates, Surrey’s neighbourhood policing teams have been visiting businesses selling knives across the county. 

Retailers were encouraged to sign up to the Responsible Retailer scheme, which includes a strict ‘challenge 25’ age verification policy. 

Over the past week, more than 100 businesses have made the commitment to ask for ID from anyone who wishes to buy a knife but appears to be under the age of 25, to store and display knives in a safe manner, and to refuse sale to any person who they are concerned about. 

Responsible Retailer scheme

Retailers have also been encouraged to participate in training about responsible selling, and to share knife crime intelligence with their local policing team. 

The initiative was launched by the Surrey Serious Violence Reduction Partnership, which is led by Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend in partnership with Surrey Police, borough and county councils, health services and Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards. 

During the previous Op Sceptre week of action, which took place in May, Lisa unveiled a new strategy for tackling knife crime in Surrey.

One of the strategy’s key commitments for police and other partners is to work with those who legally sell knives to encourage responsible retail. 

‘Challenge 25’

The Commissioner said: “Knife crime rates in Surrey are at around half of the national average, and there were 110 fewer incidents in the county in the year to August 2025. 

“Surrey is one of the safest places to live in the UK, and the third safest county when it comes to knife crime. 

“However, one life lost to knife crime is one too many, and we must never be complacent about the devastation this type of criminality causes. 

“Any incident involving a knife or blade can turn a minor and easily forgotten disagreement into a tragedy. 

“We are determined to act”

“Members of the Surrey Serious Violence Reduction Partnership are determined to act, and we are already making progress towards the goals we set out in our strategy. 

“As well as the pledge we have asked retailers to sign, we are committed to working with children and young people, many of whom have a very real fear of knife crime fuelled by exposure on social media. 

“I’d like to thank everyone who signed the Responsible Retailer pledge. Your efforts may save a life.” 

Surrey Police’s lead for serious violence and knife crime, T/Chief Superintendent Mark Offord, said: “As a key partner the in the Surrey Serious Violence Reduction Partnership, we are really pleased to support the role out of the scheme to retailers across Surrey and thank all those who have agreed to participate. 

Test purchases

“Alongside the roll out of the scheme, Surrey Police and our partners in Trading Standards have been carrying out test purchase operations at those retailers who have previously been found to sell knives to young people and will continue to do so. 

“Keeping knives from falling into the hands of those who intend to cause harm is a key part of our plan to reduce knife crime and the scheme forms an important tool to achieve this.” 

Amanda Poole, head of Trading Standards, said: “Knife crime is not an issue which can be solved in isolation.

Partnership work

“It requires the collaboration of retailers, enforcers and community groups.  

“The Surrey Responsible Retailer Scheme is a valuable opportunity to support reputable retailers and protect our local communities and young people. 

“As part of Op Sceptre, Trading Standards is undertaking test purchase exercises throughout Surrey using young volunteers.” 

The image shows a group of people sitting at tables. They are facing away from the camera and looking at Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, a blonde woman in white trousers and a darker-coloured top. Lisa is holding a microphone in one hand and a piece of paper in the other and is speaking to the audience.

Commissioner’s warning as services supporting Surrey’s most vulnerable “teeter on brink of funding cliff-edge”

Posted on | by Alex Winter

SURREY’S Police and Crime Commissioner has called on the Government to commit to future funding for organisations supporting Surrey’s most vulnerable people. 

Speaking on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls, which takes place today, November 25, Lisa Townsend said services are facing a funding cliff-edge. 

Currently, the Government has not confirmed its funding for some services past March 2026.  

Among the services waiting for news is Steps To Change, which aims to tackle domestic abuse, stalking and controlling and coercive behaviour by changing perpetrators’ behaviour. 

Meanwhile, this month it was announced that the Police and Crime Commissioner role will be abolished. Lisa supports services across the county through her dedicated funding streams.

Earlier this year, Lisa stepped in to support the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) in Guildford, which faced an £80,000 real-terms funding drop this year. The Commissioner increased her funding to the service to prevent redundancies. 

But she warned that without the Government’s immediate commitment to sustainable funding into the future, other vital support services may be shuttered. 

Lisa said: “As we mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, I call on the Government to commit to funding the organisations that support Surrey’s most vulnerable residents. 

Commissioner’s concern

“Today, I have joined services from across Surrey at a forum in Guildford.

“I have heard how unsettling this ongoing uncertainty is for those who support victims of sexual violence, house veterans and work with children exploited into criminality. 

“This sector is the backbone of the criminal justice system, providing high-quality services fundamental to adults and children when the very worst crime imaginable happens to them.  

“And yet, they are now teetering on the brink of a funding cliff-edge. 

“Cliff-edge”

“We must not see these services close their doors due to insufficient or restricted funding. 

“Preventing violence against women and girls is a key priority, both for myself and for Chief Constable Tim De Meyer, and it is a national emergency requiring a society-wide response.  

“I urge the Government to provide further clarity and reassurance.” 

AI deepfake Commissioner created to raise awareness of new Question Everything fraud campaign

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, has created her own deepfake video to highlight the dangers of AI generated fraud as part of a new campaign: Question EVERYTHING. 

The video shows a deepfake of the Commissioner promoting a new financial scheme open to every Surrey resident.

It was released on the PCC’s social media channels this morning enticing users to find out how they could “secure money in their bank accounts”.

The ‘fake’ moving image of Lisa explains how registration simply involves confirming a couple of personal details including residential address and online bank details.

The film then swiftly reveals the ‘real’ Lisa Townsend explaining that the financial scheme is not genuine, and that the ‘fake’ Lisa was created using artificial intelligence.

Free guide

The video was released to mark the launch of the Question EVERYTHING campaign which aims to raise awareness of the emerging threat of AI generated fraud and how easy it is for criminals to use the technology to create fake content to scam victims.

The Commissioner’s office has also created a free information guide, The Dangers of AI and Deepfakes: How to Avoid Becoming the Victim of AI Generated Scams.  Both the information guide and campaign film with deepfake is available here.

Lisa said: “Artificial intelligence is becoming more sophisticated every day.

“While it can no doubt bring huge benefits to the way we work and live – it is also being exploited by criminals looking to target people for profit.

“I wanted to create the deepfake video to show how easy it is for fraudsters to convincingly impersonate somebody, particularly those in the public eye. Astonishingly, the fake version of me was primarily generated from a series of still images that were available in the public domain.

‘Fraudsters’ paradise’

“Only three seconds of audio is required to clone a person’s voice to be manipulated and say whatever a criminal wants – the results are frightening.

“At this time of year with Black Friday sales and Christmas fast approaching, I am urging everyone who watches content online, scrolls through social media posts, or receives unexpected phone calls or unsolicited emails to pause and ‘Question EVERYTHING’ that they are watching, reading or hearing.

“AI has made the scammers’ space into a fraudsters’ paradise.”

Question Everything

Fraud is currently the most prevalent crime against an individual accounting for more than 1 in 3 of all crimes, according to The Crime Survey for England and Wales.

And the dangers of deepfakes are apparent as Action Fraud reports that £10 million was lost last year to fraudsters who convinced victims to invest into bogus schemes by using an influential person that had been created by AI.

PC Bernadette Lawrie BEM, Financial Abuse Safeguarding Officer at Surrey Police, said: “The more people understand how AI can be used to deceive, the harder it will become for criminals to exploit that technology.

“Locally, our Operation Signature team is working closely with our Neighbourhood Teams and the Victim and Witness Care Unit, alongside partners in our local councils, banks and community groups to raise awareness and build resilience.

Raising awareness

“We’re sharing intelligence, training frontline staff and volunteers, and equipping the public with practical advice on how to spot the signs and protect themselves against fraud.

“Staying informed, double-checking information, and trusting your instincts can make all the difference. Together, we can make our communities safer in the digital age.”

The Victim and Witness Care Unit (VWCU), a supporting partner of Question EVERYTHING, has seen a clear rise in the number of Surrey residents falling victim to increasingly sophisticated frauds, many of which involve artificial intelligence. 

Rachel Roberts, Head of the VWCU said: “Our dedicated team of three fraud specialists work closely with victims to provide both practical advice and emotional support, helping them recover from what can be an incredibly distressing experience. 

£500,000 scams

“It’s vital that residents stay alert, take a moment to verify what they see or hear, and know that help is available if they do become a victim.”

Lisa said: “Reports of AI-enabled crime pertaining to romance fraud, investment fraud and invoice fraud have had the highest total and average losses overall this year. 

“I was astounded to read examples of individuals who have lost in the region of half a million pounds to AI scams. 

“AI is enabling fraudsters to enhance tried and tested tactics more quickly and commit more sophisticated, high-volume scams, at greater scale. 

“As the application of deepfakes and cloned voices grow, everyone needs to be aware, keeping defences up, to protect themselves from the scammers’ next move. As a community, we must stay vigilant and Question EVERYTHING.”

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