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.
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.
“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.”
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.
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.”
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.”
SURREY taxpayers could end up footing part of a £2.2million bill for an increase in police officer pay after the Government calculated its costs based on a “deeply flawed” funding formula, Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner has warned.
Lisa Townsend says that while the pay rise is “well deserved”, not enough central funding has been provided to cover the cost of the increase.
As a result, the precept – which is the part of council tax that supports policing – could go up to cover the shortfall.
During the summer, it was confirmed that the Government had accepted recommendations from the Police Remuneration Review Body to increase the pay award for all ranks, up to and including Chief Superintendent, by 4.2 per cent.
Funding formula
Last week, Policing and Crime Minister Sarah Jones MP confirmed forces in England and Wales would receive a share of £120million in 2025/26 to support policing with part of the cost of the police officer pay increase.
This is being distributed by a national funding formula, rather than by officer headcount. Surrey receives the lowest settlement of all police forces under the formula.
The £1.3m grant allocated to Surrey Police will cover the first year of the pay rise. After that point, there will be a £2.2m shortfall, with no further funding provided for future years.
This means that the additional £2.2m cost, equivalent to £4.50 on council tax, will need to be found as savings which will be added to Force’s costs in 2026/27 and beyond.
“I’d also like to pay tribute to the brilliant work of police staff including 999 and 101 call-takers, PCSOs and designated detention officers, whose pay increase will not be funded by the Government.
“As I warned over the summer, the Government grant does not factor in costs like pensions and overtime.
Commissioner’s concern
“I feared that the grant would be allocated by the outdated and deeply-flawed police funding formula, rather than by officer headcount, and I am sad that my concerns were well-founded.
“Surrey receives the lowest settlement of all forces, placing an unacceptably high duty on taxpayers.
“We have been promised reform to the funding formula time and time again by successive governments, and yet it has never happened.
“Root and branch review to make this system fairer is urgently needed.
“The remaining 55 per cent is provided through the precept – the highest burden on taxpayers in the country. Soon I will be asking for their views on how much they’re willing to contribute for 2026/27.
“Once again, I call on the Government to provide further clarity on future funding for the pay rise.
“It simply must be sustainable, or – in both Surrey and across England and Wales – forces could face financial challenges that directly impact the delivery of policing and future planning.”
Members of the Youth Commission consulted peers for their views on a range of topics. Events were held at venues including the University of Surrey, the YMCA, Friday Night Projects at youth clubs, and Surrey Police’s Neighbourhood Conference.
Youth voice
The findings were presented at an event attended by representatives from Surrey Police, as well as a wide range of partners including the NHS, local authorities, and charities.
Over the course of the coming year, the Commission will work with partners to deliver campaigns based on their priorities.
The Deputy Commissioner said: “I am once again really impressed by, and proud of, our Youth Commission members for the incredible amount of work they have done to identify the top issues affecting their peers.
“Their findings provide us with an invaluable picture of how young people really feel about living in Surrey. This is an age group that often feels as if their voices go unheard.
“We care very deeply”
“There is a common misconception that young people need to be treated differently, or that their concerns are somehow unique or different.
“However, I know that what matters to young people is often the same as what matters to residents of all ages.
“Many of the priorities highlighted by the Youth Commission this year align with the concerns I hear from residents of all ages across the county.
“The turnout at the Big Conversation Conference shows how many of us from policing and other services care very deeply about supporting these young people in making positive change.
Deputy’s pride
“I look forward to seeing what we can help them achieve next year.
“Everyone involved should be proud of the work they have achieved this year. I am very proud of them.”
Former Youth Commission member Zara Wainwright, who now helps to manage the group in Surrey, said: “We are building our relationships in the county to connect with more young people than ever before.
“We received more than 1,600 responses this year, and we’re so grateful to everyone who contributed through peer-to-peer discussions, online surveys, and our interactive workshops designed to spark real conversations.”
THE number of residential burglaries committed in Surrey has dropped consistently over the past year, data published by the Police and Crime Commissioner shows.
Between August 2024 and August 2025, 305 fewer burglaries were reported across the county.
In addition, there has been a 56 per cent increase in charges this year alone.
Burglary offences solved by Surrey Police stand at more than double the national average.
The Force deploys to every residential burglary reported in Surrey. Each of the three divisions has its own proactive team which monitors ongoing burglary trends and patterns, identifies ‘hotspot’ areas, and targets prolific and repeat offenders.
The Hub, which launched in early 2023, made Lisa the first Commissioner to host a dedicated online data site containing rolling updates on Surrey Police’s performance.
Data Hub
It gives access to a wide range of monthly data, including Lisa’s funding for organisations that support community safety, help victims, and tackle the cycle of offending.
The website also features information on response times and the Force’s outcomes on a range of crime types, as well as data on Surrey Police’s budget and staffing.
The Data Hub has recently been refreshed so it better aligns with the policing priorities identified by Surrey residents during consultations for Lisa’s new Police and Crime Plan.
The Commissioner said: “Over my tenure, I have heard the views of thousands of people who live and work in Surrey.
“Real results”
“My role is to represent these people, as well as to amplify their voices when it comes to the policing service they receive.
“My Data Hub gives residents access to the full picture of how their Force performs over time. It allows users to see real results in the areas they have identified as the most important.
“Over the past year, burglary rates have dropped in Surrey, with 305 fewer reported.
“Under Chief Constable Tim De Meyer’s leadership, we are seeing real, tangible results that mean fewer Surrey residents will ever become a victim of crime.”
“Safer for all”
Detective Chief Inspector Josephine Horner, Surrey Police’s lead for burglary, said: “We offer preventive advice to residents on the measures they can take to protect their homes and possessions, from keeping car keys secure and out of sight to locking away valuables, fitting alarms and CCTV.
“There are simple steps that everyone can take.
“We encourage communities to stay alert and report any suspicious activity through our online portal or call 999 if a crime is taking place.
“Together, we can make Surrey safer for all.”
Commissioner Lisa Townsend has praised the Force for their sustained improvements when it comes to tackling burglary
EVERY Surrey resident has a part to play in tackling modern slavery, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson has said.
Speaking on Anti-Slavery Day, which takes place each year on October 18, Ellie said victims are often “hidden in plain sight”.
Many will have been forced into commercial work of any kind. However, common examples include on fishing boats, in sex work, in nail bars and at car washes.
Surrey’s roads network is often utilised by traffickers because it is a main arterial route from the Channel ports.
Three suspected victims from Vietnam were found in a lorry at a Surrey service station. One had been strapped into a concealed compartment so tightly that he needed to be cut free.
They had been surviving on just bread and water for more than a week.
Anti-slavery charity Unseen says the economic cost of modern slavery reached an estimated £210million in 2024 – enough to fund the recruitment of 7,500 new police officers.
“Inhumane”
Ellie said: “The conditions experienced by modern slavery victims across the UK are nothing short of inhumane.
“By looking out for red flags that someone is being exploited by a criminal, we can all help to prevent this abhorrent practice.
“Sadly, Surrey’s roads networks, as well as the county’s proximity to Channel ports, make it a popular route for people traffickers.
“Between January 2023 and 2025, the Force recorded 26 cases of people being found in a lorry or confirmed to be involved in a ‘drop’.
Red flags
“Victims are often hidden in plain sight. They may be living in fear or feel dependent on those exploiting them. Some may not even understand that they’re being exploited.
“If you think someone is being exploited in this way, never directly confront the potential victim or the person in charge.
“Instead, please call the police when it is safe to do so.
“We all have a part to play in looking out for society’s most vulnerable members.”
What to look out for
Victims of modern slavery may:
Be scared to talk to people
Avoid eye contact
Have physical injuries or bruises
Wear the same clothes every day, particularly if they’re dirty or unsuitable for the weather or the type of work being carried out
Look malnourished or ill
Work unusual or very long hours
Not know the area where they live or work
Not be allowed out alone
Not have ID or a passport
Not be in control of their earnings
If someone is in immediate danger, or a crime is happening in front of you, always call 999. Otherwise, you can report via 101.
The Modern Slavery Helpline can be contacted on 0800 0121 700.
Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner has unveiled a new mural along an Epsom footpath connecting a train station with one of the county’s largest colleges.
Lisa Townsend contributed to the artwork in Epsom through her Community Safety Fund. The painting was created in response to reports of anti-social behaviour and robbery on the public path connecting Nescot College to Ewell East station.
The mural was designed and painted by Positive Arts in collaboration with art and design students from Nescot.
It features key elements from the college’s 70-year history, including images from old prospectus covers, the Spirit of the Wind image from the old logo, and local flora and fauna.
Artwork unveiled
Lisa said: “It’s really important to me that residents in Surrey are safe in their communities, and that they feel safe too.
“The footpath between Nescot and the Ewell East Train Station was highlighted by residents as a location of concern, and I have meetings about this issue with partners including Surrey Police teams, college leaders and officers from British Transport Police.
“The beautiful mural aims to reclaim this public space, which is used by both students and residents. Improvements to lighting, police patrols and additional private security will also bolster community safety and crime prevention in the area.
“There are seven murals within Epsom and Ewell, each of which helps to foster pride in our communities. I’m delighted to have been able to contribute to the borough’s latest artwork.”
“Foster pride”
Councillor Shanice Goldman, who chairs the council’s Crime and Disorder Committee, said: “This community mural is a fantastic example of how multiple partners can work together for the betterment of the community.
“It is also a valuable step forward in combatting anti-social behaviour by rejuvenating an unloved, run down part of the borough and instilling a sense of pride and ownership of the area in the students.”
“The council has commissioned a number of murals across the borough as part of our Arts, Culture and Heritage Strategy over the past year, and these have already had a positive impact on reducing anti-social behaviour, such as reducing graffiti tagging.
“I hope this latest mural will achieve similar results.”
A SURREY Police team is turning the tide on shoplifting – as officers solve 85 per cent of the retail crime cases they are tasked with investigating.
There has been a huge rise in reports of retail crime in Spelthorne after the borough’s Safer Neighbourhood Team, led by Inspector Matt Walton, urged the business community to report every incident.
Reports of retail crime are up by almost 150 per cent in Spelthorne. Around a quarter of all retail crime cases reported in the borough are solved.
However, a huge 85 per cent of all retail crime cases assigned to Insp Walton’s team have been solved in the past three months as the team aim to bring every offender to justice.
Team’s success
Meanwhile, Spelthorne has seen a 4.7 per cent decrease in all crime types over the past two months.
Church Road in Ashford 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.
Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend secured £1million from the Government to fund additional policing resources in hotspot areas across the county.
In September, four men were arrested after an alleged raid at a convenience store in Church Road. Enquiries continue.
“Crime that blights communities”
Ellie said: “I was delighted to join the residents’ meeting in Ashford and answer questions on crime and policing in the town.
“A huge amount of work is going on across Spelthorne to tackle the criminality that blights our communities, including anti-social behaviour, violence against women and girls, and retail crime.
“Church Road in Ashford has recently been designated as a ‘hotspot’, which means there will be more high-visibility patrols – fantastic news for residents. Over the past two months alone, there have been 60 extra foot patrols.”
Insp Walton said: “Until very recently, we had seen a sustained increase in crime across Spelthorne of between one and two per cent a year.
‘Report it’ plea
“However, over the last couple of months, that has changed, and there has been a decrease of 4.7 per cent in Spelthorne.
“We have made sure that we are maintaining our community engagement, with the key message that all crime should be reported to us.
“In some areas, this has seen a large spike in reporting. For example, we have seen a 150 per cent increase in reports of retail crime.
“Across the borough, 25 per cent of all shoplifting incidents are being solved. When it comes to retail crime cases allocated to my team, that rises to 85 per cent.
“However, we know that when reports of crime drop, it doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s less crime, but rather that there’s less confidence in reporting crime.
“I’d urge anyone affected by criminality to keep reporting it.”
VOLUNTEERS working to rehabilitate Surrey wildlife after “devastating” catapult attacks say tighter legislation is urgently needed to tackle criminality.
Since publishing her letter, which can be read here, she has received support from two swan rescues and the National Rural Crime Network (NRCN). Tim Passmore, chair of the NRCN, said it is time to send a “clear message”.
The Deputy wants catapults to be treated similarly to knives – putting the onus on any carrier to prove they have a good reason to carry such a weapon, rather than the police to have evidence of unlawful intention.
Deputy’s call
This week, the BBC is airing a documentary on the harms caused by catapult use.
Danni Rogers, who gives his time to rescuing birds for the Shepperton Swan Sanctuary, launched a petition on the issue. It received more than 20,000 signatures.
He told Ellie: “Swans, geese, ducks and domestic animals including cats are being shot and killed in Surrey.
“I was called to a rescue recently that involved a family of 10 swans – mum and dad and eight cygnets. On the first occasion, one of the swans had fishing line around its leg, which I quickly resolved before spending some time feeding the family.
“The following day, I was called again as one of the cygnets had been found dead just 50 feet away. It had been shot in the head, suffering a high-velocity, single-impact injury.
“It’s absolutely devastating to attend incidents like these.”
Ellie said: “Just one attack is too many, but by mid-summer, the Shepperton Swan Sanctuary had rescued around 30 wounded birds, and even more are believed to have been killed by catapults.
“There can be a misconception that what we’re talking about is a stick fitted with an elastic band. Catapults can actually be very high-powered, accurate weapons, which are cheap and easy to buy online.
“For less than £20, anyone can purchase a large catapult with a pistol grip handle, capable of firing with a high degree of accuracy, as well as 100 ball bearings.
“Abhorrent”
“Using a catapult to target wildlife and property is not only unacceptable; it’s abhorrent.
“I have asked the Government to look at changing the legislation surrounding the carrying of catapults to bring it in line with laws around carrying knives.
“This would recognise the significant damage these weapons could cause.
“I am determined to continue campaigning for change. This issue matters to Surrey’s residents, and it matters to Surrey Police.”
A summer crackdown on criminality has resulted in a series of “major successes” across Surrey, the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner says.
The Safer Streets Summer initiative, which bolstered crime prevention and community safety, targeted crime types that typically increase during the summer months.
Eleven town centre locations across the county were chosen for the initiative, including Staines, Addlestone, Farnham, Camberley, Dorking and Caterham.
During the blitz, each of the town centres saw activity targeted at specific issues impacting communities. High-visibility police patrols and operations led to a series of arrests across the county, including:
A drug dealer found with 32 wraps of cocaine in a sock and two youths found with telescopic batons, large quantities of cannabis and scales in Elmbridge
A man accused of five counts of sexual assault and a 30-year-old man accused of offences including theft of a motor vehicle and driving under the influence of cannabis in Epsom and Ewell
Suspected shoplifters detained moments after the alleged offences took place during two separate incidents in Mole Valley
A man suspected of stealing an e-bike he was riding, as well as additional offences of possessing drugs and a bladed article, in Reigate and Banstead
Three arrests relating to an operation tackling anti-social riding of motorbikes and mopeds in Tandridge
A number of those arrests arose after officers stopped and searched people riding e-bikes. Further arrests were made during plain-clothed patrols.
Plain-clothed patrols
Officers also worked with key partners to raid shops selling illegal vapes and alcohol to children, while plain-clothed officers visited pubs and clubs in busy night-spots to look for signs of predatory behaviour.
Meanwhile, youth engagement officers worked with partners to create opportunities for children and young people during the six-week summer break.
The Commissioner said: “Surrey’s Safer Streets Summer has resulted in a series of major successes across each of the 11 town centres.
“And while summer has come to an end, our work tackling criminality that blights our communities continues, now and forever.
“But the bread-and-butter police work of investigating, patrolling, dealing with criminality and aiming to prevent offending from every taking place will never end.
“I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to the achievements of the summer. This includes police officers and staff, councils, local Business Improvement Districts and the organisations supporting children and young people.
“There’s much more to come, and I look forward to updating Surrey’s residents in the weeks ahead.”
