Category: Local policing

Two images have been placed side by side. On the left is Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, a blonde woman in a green, long-sleeved top. She is looking directly at the camera and smiling. On the right is Chief Constable Tim De Meyer. His face is visible, and he is smiling and wearing police uniform, including a hat, a shirt and a tie.

Have your say on crime and policing where you live as the Policing Your Community roadshow returns

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Surrey residents will be invited to have their say on crime and policing as the Policing Your Community roadshow returns in May. 

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend and Chief Constable Tim De Meyer will be joined by the local Borough Commander at a series of 11 events held around the county. 

The first meeting takes place in Ash on Tuesday, May 19. 

An online meeting will also be held in July for those unable to attend their nearest in-person event. 

Policing Your Community

Hundreds of people have already attended previous Policing Your Community meetings to ask questions and learn more about policing in their area. 

The events give residents the opportunity to learn more about how police tackle crime in Surrey. 

Each of the events will take place between 6pm and 7.30pm.

All are free to attend, but those who wish to join are asked to register their attendance by selecting the link for their local event below.

Venues listed

May 19 – Ash Manor School, Manor Road, Ash, Guildford 

May 26 – Leatherhead Community Association, High Street, Leatherhead 

June 3 – St Clement’s Catholic Primary School, Fennells Road, Epsom 

June 9 – Hazelwood Centre, Hazelwood Drive, Shepperton 

June 16 – Pyrford Village War Memorial Hall, Coldharbour Road, Woking 

June 23 – St Anne’s Catholic Primary School, Free Prae Road, Chertsey 

June 30 – Hazelwood School and Nursery, Wolf’s Hill, Oxted  

July 7 – Carrington School, Noke Drive, Redhill 

July 9 – Briars Centre, Briar Avenue, Lightwater 

July 14 – Weybridge Library, Church Street, Weybridge 

July 21 – online event (livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube) 

July 29 – Wilfrid Noyce Community Centre, Crown Court Carpark, Godalming 

Community events

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “I’m delighted to announce the return of the Policing Your Community roadshow. 

“These events offer residents the opportunity to learn more about how our hard-working police teams tackle crime where they live. 

“Hundreds of people have already joined us at these meetings to have their say on the issues that concern them most, with anti-social behaviour, police visibility, 999 and 101 call times and road safety among the most frequent topics raised. 

“Listening to what residents have to say on crime and policing is at the heart of my role. 

Crimes drop

“Surrey Police is one of the fastest-improving forces in the country, and the Force has doubled its charging rate. 

“Reports of a range of crimes, including shoplifting, burglary and tool theft, have dropped in recent months. 

“But we want to keep improving the service residents receive, and we want to hear what matters most to you.”

Chief Constable Tim De Meyer said: “The Policing Your Community Events are invaluable opportunities for me to explain all that Surrey Police is trying to do to fight crime and protect people in our county.

“Invaluable”

“Just as important, they give local people the chance to bring directly to my attention the things that are concerning them most about crime and policing and to hold me to account for acting on these concerns.

“Previous events have alerted me to many problems that we needed to address and enabled Surrey Police to improve our service to residents and businesses.

“I look forward very much to meeting and engaging with people in the months ahead.”

For more information, or to sign up to an event, visit surrey.police.uk/police-forces/surrey-police/areas/au/about-us/in-the-community/  

The image shows Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, a blonde woman who wears a long, tan coat and glasses, speaking to a police officer. She is smiling. The back of the police officer is visible - he wears full uniform and his arms are crossed.

Criminals stealing razors and Champagne are being brought to justice, Commissioner says after TV show tracks investigation

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Organised criminals targeting Surrey’s shops for razors and Champagne are being brought to justice, the Police and Crime Commissioner said after a TV show following a Force investigation aired.

Lisa Townsend said fragrances, alcohol and chocolate are among the items that are “stolen to order” to fund criminal activity. 

It comes after the Force appeared on Channel 5 show Police Interceptors. The programme followed officers as they investigated three members of an organised criminal group responsible for more than 100 crimes. 

The offenders targeted large supermarkets across the country, with the cost of their thefts totalling hundreds of thousands of pounds.  



Organised criminality

Officers worked with Tesco to crack the case, and all three criminals were jailed last year. 

Since January 2024, officers have worked with Tesco to tackle four OCGs responsible for losses totalling £2.5million across their stores. 

Overall retail crime ‘solved rates’ – a term which refers to successful outcomes including charges, summons, community resolutions and cautions – have risen by 20 per cent since 2023.  

Retail crime is a key priority for the Force, and last year, officers committed to a new retail crime strategy. That strategy has been shared as part of a wide-ranging report into retail crime, published by the Commissioner following a survey of Surrey’s business community. 

Read the retail crime report



‘Prolific’

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “Members of the gang who featured in last night’s episode of Police Interceptors were not only prolific, but organised. 

“They targeted high-value items that are easy to sell on, including electricals, cosmetics, Champagne and razors.

“Offending committed by groups like these fuel further crime sprees. It harms not only Surrey’s retail community, but all residents. 

“We will all have seen that perfume, cheese, coffee, alcohol and now even chocolate bars are often being locked away in anti-theft boxes at supermarkets. 

Chocolate locked away

“These are among the items stolen to order by gangs who sell them on through illicit markets that help fund wider criminal activity.  

“We are determined to deal with the offenders behind this behaviour.

“Here in Surrey, officers have brought down several organised criminal groups responsible for raiding businesses across the country. 

“There is more to do, but I am proud of the progress that continues to be made as our policing teams work with retailers, investigate offending thoroughly, and bring criminals to justice.” 

The image shows a group of six people standing in front of an Apache helicopter. Three of the six people pictured are in Surrey Police uniform. At the centre of the group, is Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson, wearing pink, and Claire Lilly, who wears sunglasses and a tan coat. The image was taken at the Army Training Centre in Pirbright.

Deputy Commissioner says Forcer Protocol to find missing veterans is “fundamentally the right thing” for Surrey

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Surrey’s Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner said a scheme that will help police officers find vulnerable military veterans who have gone missing is “fundamentally the right thing” for the county. 

Ellie Vesey-Thompson spoke at the Surrey Armed Forces Covenant Conference, which took place at the Army Training Centre in Pirbright yesterday, to mark the launch of the Forcer Protocol in Surrey. 

She was joined by Surrey Police Superintendent Matt Barcraft-Barnes, Chief Inspector Tom Renwick, and Claire Lilly, whose former husband took his own life after going missing in May 2020. 

Dad-of-three Lance Corporal Alan Forcer suffered with complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after serving in Northern Ireland and Kosovo.

New protocol

Claire and her son Josh have campaigned tirelessly to bring the Forcer Protocol to police forces across the country. The scheme aims to ensure that no veteran is left without any necessary intervention in moments of crisis. 

Veterans, reservists and anyone serving in the forces, as well as their family members, friends and services supporting them, can now complete a form which records information that could be helpful if they go missing. 

The form allows police to respond quickly and efficiently if needed. 

Addressing the conference, Ellie, who holds responsibility for military personnel and veterans, said: “Someone is reported missing in the UK around once every 90 seconds. 

“Found too late”

“Some of them come home of their own accord. Some are never found. Not all of them will receive the same policing response. 

“Sadly, some of these people are found when it is too late. Preventing suicide and harm by finding people who have gone missing as quickly as possible is the best thing for them, for their family and friends, for Surrey residents, and for our officers. 

“Any tool that can assist with finding those in crisis is worth it. It means people like Claire and Josh won’t have to hear the worst news of their lives. 

“It is fundamentally the right thing to do.” 

Not alone

Surrey Police already uses the Herbert Protocol, a similar system designed to locate people who are living with dementia. Both protocols securely store relevant information relating to the missing individual. 

Claire said her former husband wanted people to know they “weren’t alone in their struggles”. 

“To honour the legacy of our Lance Corporal Alan Forcer, on behalf of our family and the wider community, means more than words can ever truly express,” she said.

“Your support ensures that his name, his values and his service continue to make a lasting difference.

“Incredible work”

“Here’s to Surrey Police and all the incredible work you do.

“We are deeply, deeply grateful.”

In 2021, there were 253 suicides among veterans – five a week in England and Wales. Drug and alcohol misuse and unemployment are particular risk factors. 

For more information or to sign up for yourself, a friend or a family member, register here. 

Two people hold posters and smile directly at the camera. On the left is Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson, a blonde woman in a pink blouse and black trousers. On the right is Chief Inspector Tom Renwick, who wears a shirt and tie. In their hands are posters advertising the Forcer Protocol, which aims to help police find missing veterans promptly.

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson and Chief Inspector Tom Renwick launch the Forcer Protocol, which aims to help police find missing veterans promptly, at the Surrey Armed Forces Covenant Conference

The image shows Commissioner Lisa Townsend, a blonde woman in a yellow t-shirt, and a Surrey Police contact officer in branded uniform. Both women are wearing headsets and looking intently at a screen just off camera.

Commissioner hails “dramatic improvements” as Surrey Police becomes second-fastest at answering 999 calls

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner has hailed a “dramatic improvement” in the time it takes Surrey Police to answer and respond to 999 and 101 calls. 

Lisa Townsend praised contact centre staff and officers for a slew of significant changes, which have seen the Force climb national league tables for 999 call answering times. 

It comes as His Majesty’s Inspectorate for Constabulary and Fire lifts its ‘causes of concern’ for Surrey Police after an inspection in 2023.

During the inspection for the Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy (PEEL) review, issues around the service residents receive when they contact their police were highlighted. 

In the time since the review, the operation of Surrey Police’s contact centre – based at Force HQ in Guildford – has been overhauled. 



Contact centre overhaul

The control room and contact centre were merged, with staff now working from the same location. The number of supervisors and call takers increased, and a new grading system for triaging calls was implemented.

As a result of the changes, officers now attend the most serious calls for service – known as a Grade 1 response – within 13 minutes. This is seven minutes quicker than the 20-minute national standard. 

Non-emergency calls made to 101 are now answered six minutes faster than in December 2024, with an average answer time of 12 seconds – down from 3.4 minutes. Call abandonment rates have dropped from 36 per cent to seven per cent. 

999 calls are answered in an average of three seconds and dealt with three minutes faster. The abandonment rate has dropped from 11 per cent to two per cent. 

The Force is now the second-fastest in the country when it comes to answering 999 calls. 

“Delighted”

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “I am delighted with the dramatic improvements Surrey Police has made since our 2023 PEEL review. 

“It is fantastic news that the average waiting time for a 999 call in Surrey is now just two seconds, and that the Force is the second-fastest in the country to answer these emergency calls. 

“These changes are not only significant, but sustained. The Force’s progress continues to this day. 

“I know from speaking to residents that being able to get hold of Surrey Police when you need them is absolutely vital and a call into our contact centre can be a matter of life or death.

Commissioner’s thanks

“Since I recruited Chief Constable Tim De Meyer three years ago, a key priority for both us was making sure that when the Surrey public needed police, they receive the quick and effective response they rightly expect.

“I’d like to thank every officer and member of staff who has worked tirelessly to achieve this turnaround and deliver the results we are seeing for Surrey’s residents.

“Their efforts make a real difference to those facing some of the most challenging moments of their lives.” 

Assistant Chief Constable Sarah Grahame said: “These are not just statistics.

‘Concern’ lifted

“They represent real people receiving help more quickly; victims feeling heard; vulnerable individuals getting a timely response; and communities gaining confidence in their local police.

“Having the causes of concern lifted is a significant achievement, but it is not the end of the journey. The public’s expectations continue to rise, and so do ours. Our responsibility now is to maintain this level of service, continue to learn, and keep improving.”

His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Inspector Roy Wilsher, who has responsibility for Surrey Police, said: “I am pleased that Surrey Police has made significant progress in these areas since we raised these causes of concern.”

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.

Police teams will be resourced to take the fight to criminals, says Commissioner as council tax rise approved

Posted on | by Nathan Rees

Policing teams will be properly resourced to take the fight to criminals in Surrey over the coming year, the Police and Crime Commissioner said after her budget proposals were given the green light today. 

Lisa Townsend’s suggested 4.4 per cent increase in the policing element of council tax, known as the precept, was approved at a meeting of Surrey’s Police and Crime Panel at Woodhatch Place in Reigate this afternoon. 

Nine members of the Panel voted on the Commissioner’s proposal, with seven votes in favour and two against.

It means an average Band D property in the county will be charged £15 extra a year, or just over £1 more each month, during 2026/27.  

Recommendation approved

The Commissioner said that the council tax rise would ensure Surrey Police can continue to build on the fantastic progress already made – keeping more criminals off the streets, strengthening neighbourhood policing and ensuring victims receive the support they need.

Lisa said the Force is making “incredible” strides, doubling the number of charges across the board and solving 40 per cent more crimes. 

Burglary rates have been cut by 14 per cent over the past year, while charges for shoplifting have increased by 465 per cent and charges for rape have doubled.  

These improvements have taken place against a backdrop of rising demand and increasing cost pressures, with the Force still needing to find savings of £5.5million this year and a further £8.1million over the following three years. 

Survey completed

For every pound of the precept set, Surrey Police receives an extra half a million pounds. 

The total contribution towards policing for an average Band D household will now stand at £352.57 for 2026/27. 

During December and January, the Commissioner’s office carried out a public survey in which more than 2,400 people gave their views on her proposal.

The proposal was originally based on the assumption the Government would allow PCCs to raise a maximum of £14 a year on a Band D property in line with previous years.

“Incredible strides”

57 per cent of respondents supported the proposal. In fact, the settlement for this year allowed a maximum precept of £15, which the Commissioner proposed to the Police and Crime Panel today.

Lisa said: “Surrey Police has made incredible strides over the last two years in challenging circumstances.

“I have been all over the county talking to residents who have told me loud and clear that they want to see: visible policing in their communities and our teams tackling the crimes that are important to them where they live.

“And Surrey Police are delivering. Burglary rates are down, vehicle crime is down, shoplifting charges have risen by 465 per cent, and the overall charge rate has more than doubled.

Force’s successes

“This has only been made possible by the contributions the Surrey public make through their council tax, which remain absolutely crucial.

“I vowed last year that the precept will always be used to ensure that our officers and staff are doing what only they can – fighting crime, taking offenders off our streets and keeping our communities safe.

“I make that same pledge again today. These improvements must be sustained and built on by the Force and I know the Chief Constable is up to the challenge.

“It is of course never easy to ask the public to pay more money for their policing and it is not a decision I take lightly.

Challenges ahead

“But in the face of some tough financial challenges, we have a stark choice. The reality is that without the precept increase, we risk undoing all the hard work Surrey Police have put into the last two years, as well as providing a reduced service to our communities.

“That is not a risk I am prepared to take. Our survey showed that the majority of the Surrey public who took part support this view, and I want to thank everyone who took the time to give me their thoughts.

“We live in challenging financial times and setting the 2026/27 budget has been particularly difficult. 

“Funding from central Government simply isn’t adequate and among the pressing financial issues we must solve is a £2.2million bill for a well-deserved increase in officer pay.

Commissioner’s responsibilities

“The Government calculated its costs on the deeply flawed national funding formula, which disadvantages Surrey residents, and I will continue to lobby for fairer funding for the remainder of my tenure.

“As Police and Crime Commissioner, my responsibility extends beyond the Force itself.

“I also commission vital services for victims and invest in prevention and early intervention. 

“Victims of criminality, often the most vulnerable in our society, are facing ever-lengthening court delays, with some trials now set for 2029. Our support services are being pushed to the brink of a funding cliff-edge as they try to help as many of these victims as possible. 

Looking to the future

“Where Government funding does not adequately cover these services, it falls to me to ensure they are protected. This is why I included specific provision for this work in my precept proposal.  

“I am pleased that the budget, including the council tax increase, has been confirmed today.

“This means our hard-working officers and staff are properly resourced to continue taking the fight to criminals and making our communities even safer.”

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.