SURREY’S Police and Crime Commissioner has celebrated a job where “no two hours are the same” – and urged others to apply for the role.
Lisa Townsend visited Godalming during the summer to join Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Nick Boxall on patrol in the town.
PCSOs are among the most visible roles in Surrey Police, and the intelligence they gather allows the Force to build a picture of where the county’s crime hotspots lie.
Their work also helps to identify and protect Surrey’s most vulnerable residents.
The Force launched a recruitment drive for additional PCSOs earlier this year, and has now filled all roles for the September cohort.
It comes after Operation Uplift, the previous government’s drive to recruit an additional 20,000 officers across the UK, resulted in more than 50 Surrey PCSOs leaving their roles to become PCs.
“You might find our community support officers guarding a cordon after a major incident, finding a way to calm down an angry member of the public who is threatening harm, or supporting a vulnerable resident who is struggling with their mental health – sometimes all within a single shift.
“They provide a bridge between members of the public and the police who serve them, and the connections they build with residents help to safeguard the county from crime and protect the most vulnerable.
“PCSOs are so important to our residents”
“Over the course of my tenure as your Commissioner, I have spoken with thousands of Surrey residents, and I know how important PCSOs are to our communities.
“It is wonderful news that so many of our PCSOs became police officers during Operation Uplift – it’s a fantastic achievement, both for the Force and for the officers themselves.
“The changes did leave Surrey Police with vacancies to fill however, and I know that has been a real challenge for the Force who have been working hard to get our PCSO numbers back up to full strength.
“So I’m delighted that the latest PCSO course was full and those new recruits will be working in our communities across Surrey from September.
“But we still need more in our ranks so I’d encourage anyone with an interest to have a look on our recruitment pages – this is a job like no other for those who love Surrey.”
Guildford was granted £273,000 to combat anti-social behaviour, or ASB, which can include everything from harassment and rowdy, inconsiderate behaviour to noise nuisance and criminal damage.
Surrey Police, working closely with key stakeholders including Guildford Borough Council and Experience Guildford, are now working to drive down reports in the town centre.
A recent survey of residents revealed that incidents are most likely to occur at weekends between 12noon and 8pm.
Police crackdown
To tackle the problem, Guildford’s Safer Neighbourhood Team, Guildford Borough Council, and Experience Guildford joined forces with Lisa’s team to secure Safer Streets funding.
The scheme targets specific crime issues in communities around the country with the aim of reducing offending.
Guildford’s tranche of funding has been used to pay for street marshals, who patrol ASB hotspots around the town centre at weekends during the peak times of offending.
It has also been used to bolster youth engagement.
Safer Streets success
In addition, there has been an increase in officer visibility within the town centre, with more patrols taking place during peak times.
Partners have also been working closely with businesses in the town, many of which are funding and implementing their own measures to support the project and tackle ASB.
A multi-agency operation which also involves British Transport Police, The Friary and other local businesses has already kick-started within the town on certain Sundays in a bid to identify and prevent the causes of ASB.
In addition, newly-designed digital posters are being displayed around Guildford, including at the train station, at bus stops and aboard buses, and a social media campaign aimed at young people and their parents has launched. The campaign warns that ASB is not welcome anywhere in the town.
Guildford Borough Commander Blaine Rafferty said: “We’ve been working closely with local partners to introduce these new measures to help tackle antisocial behaviour in Guildford.
“It’s a priority”
“We want everyone to be able to enjoy our town centre and feel safe. This funding has allowed us to put our focus on ASB hotspots in town, and areas where the wider community has raised concerns.
“ASB is a priority for us. We have plain-clothed officers supporting uniformed colleagues in Guildford identifying any nuisance, inconsiderate behaviour or criminal activity.
“They will be operating in the town centre on a regular basis to help Guildford be a safe environment for all.”
Lisa said: “I’m really pleased that our Office has played a key part in securing the funding for this project in Guildford that will address the concerns of local residents around issues including theft, criminal damage and substance misuse in their town centre.
“As well as preventing crime, I am proud that the work with local partners will also boost the engagement with children and young people that is a core part of keeping our communities safe for everyone.”
Commissioner’s pride
Lead councillor for regulatory services, Councillor Merel Rehorst-Smith, said: “I’m delighted with the summer campaign targeting antisocial behaviour.
“It’s so important that we all respect one another and collectively stand up and say ‘no’ to behaviour that is unacceptable in our town.
“By working together, we can all help make sure our town continues to be a great place to live, work and do business. A town to be proud of, where everyone feels welcome, can be authentic and feel valued.”
Pete Lambert, town safety and venue liaison manager at Experience Guildford said: “We fully endorse this campaign to help reduce ASB in Guildford town centre through strong partnership working with Surrey Police, Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner and Guildford Borough Council.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend joined officers across Surrey Heath as they carried out coordinated operations to help stamp out anti-social behaviour and crime across the borough.
At the end of July, the Commissioner took part in targeted patrols aimed at reducing crime in the areas that had received the most reports of crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB), followed by a visit to ‘pop-up’ club that gave children and young people a place to be in the evening with support from local officers and specialist youth workers.
Together with Surrey Heath Borough Council, Surrey Police teams carried out patrols to prevent illegal fishing and anti-social driving, speeding enforcement and test purchasing using young people to deter the sale of vapes and knives to people who are underage.
Visits to local retailers took place to discuss their concerns and licensing checks were carried out with local taxi firms.
While all of the activities are carried out by Surrey Police and partners on a regular basis – the day coordinated these actions to help boost visible policing, engage with residents and build on the joint intelligence that helps to identify longer term solutions to the problems that are reported by local people and businesses.
That funding is now paying for an increase in the hotspot patrols that are being carried out by Surrey Police officers and partners, starting in 15 areas across the county.
In the last four years, an additional £2m funding from the Government’s Safer Streets Fund has also been used to deliver bespoke community safety improvements by local police teams and the local councils in eight of Surrey’s boroughs.
Surrey remains one of the safest counties in England and Wales and these operations are focused on stopping ASB and crime from growing.
Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said, “I was delighted to join the coordinated actions by officers that are directly addressing those concerns that you have told me are important to you in the Surrey Heath area.
“During the day, I witnessed the hard work of local teams and our partners at Surrey Heath Borough Council that are acting visibly to deter anti-social behaviour and crimes such as shoplifting that are often linked to a bigger picture of organised crime in our communities.
“That work is vital and it was accompanied by a range of less visible actions that are just as important to keeping our communities safe; such as working with retailers to report crime and prevent underage sales, ensuring visitors and residents are kept safe at night and investing in the relationship between our officers and children and young people.”
Residents are urged to report crime at surrey.police.uk, by calling 101 or sending a direct message on official Surrey Police social media channels. Always dial 999 in an emergency.
Surrey Police will seek to relocate its Eastern Divisional Headquarters from Reigate to Leatherhead, when the interim lease for Wray Park ends, following the temporary move in April 2024.
In 2018, Surrey Police purchased the former Electrical Research Association (ERA) and Cobham Industries site on Cleeve Road in Leatherhead with a view to developing a new, purpose-built headquarters from the ground up. However, following a review of the programme in November 2021, the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Surrey Police Chief Officer team took the decision to retain Mount Browne, in Guildford, as the Force Headquarters, and redevelop the existing site.
The Leatherhead site has been on the commercial property market for sale since earlier last year. However, following the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in the construction of Reigate Police Station in September 2023, the Force has been reconsidering its wider operational requirements across the Eastern Division – comprising Reigate & Banstead, Epsom & Ewell, Mole Valley, and Tandridge.
The Force relocated to the former Surrey Fire & Rescue Services (SFRS) headquarters at Wray Park, Reigate, on an urgent but temporary basis, agreeing a short-term lease of up to two years with Surrey County Council.
Since vacating Reigate Police Station, the Force has been working closely with commercial surveyors, Vail Williams, to explore numerous opportunities to locate the new Divisional HQ, including sites in Epsom, Dorking, Leatherhead, Reigate (including the redevelopment of Reigate Police Station itself) and Redhill.
Following this piece of work an operational recommendation was made to the Surrey Police Estates Board, chaired by Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, to retain part of the Leatherhead site and to build a bespoke, permanent, Divisional Headquarters which will be fit for policing East Surrey now and in the long-term.
This recommendation was approved on 06 August 2024 at the Estates Strategy Board.
Tim De Meyer, Chief Constable for Surrey Police, said, “The desired move to Leatherhead shows our commitment to retain an operational base in the heart of the East of Surrey where we can maintain a visible policing presence in the communities we serve, to fight crime and protect people.
“This is an opportunity to build a new divisional headquarters which will be operationally fit for purpose and serve the east of our county for many years to come.”
Lisa Townsend, Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey, said, “This is exciting news and if we get planning approval gives us a unique opportunity to build a bespoke divisional HQ that is fit for purpose for our hard-working police teams on the east of the county.
“The situation with RAAC at Reigate Police Station has presented us with some difficult and unexpected challenges and I would like to pay tribute to all those officers, staff and volunteers for their patience and understanding over the last year.
“I am well aware of the importance Surrey residents place on local policing, and I want to reassure people living in Reigate and Banstead that the neighbourhood presence in their communities will not be affected by these plans.
“There have been some tough choices to make but I believe that Leatherhead presents us with the best option in providing both value for money for Surrey residents and an Eastern HQ that is fit for a modern police force.”
Councillor Paul Kennedy, Mole Valley District Council’s Cabinet Member for Internal Services and Security, said: “We are delighted at the prospect of Surrey Police’s Eastern Divisional Headquarters moving to Leatherhead. While any proposals remain subject to planning permission, this potentially signals yet another boost to the town, alongside the progress of our Transform Leatherhead initiative. With the addition of an HQ and around 400 members of staff comes the promise of a boost in footfall into the town centre and a positive impact on the local economy.”
As part of the Force’s commitment to having a physical policing presence in every borough and district, further decisions were made at the Estates Strategy Board to ensure that Safer Neighbourhood Teams will operate out of new sites, to be identified, in Epsom & Ewell, Reigate & Banstead, and Tandridge. This will ensure the delivery of a consistent service, and coverage across the county. There will be a minimum of one Front Counter facility per division, enabling members of the public to access police services. While locations will be reviewed, there will be no fewer than currently provided, and therefore no reduction in service.
The decision to retain Leatherhead as a key operating base comes as Surrey Police awaits a decision on their planning application for the redevelopment of the Mount Browne HQ which, if approved, could see redevelopment begin in Spring 2025.
Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend joined officers on a dedicated anti-social behaviour (ASB) hotspot patrol, after her office received £1m to boost visible policing across the county.
Ahead of Anti-social Behaviour Awareness Week which starts today, the Commissioner learned how the ‘hotspot’ approach by Surrey Police aims to cut ASB and serious violence; starting with 15 areas of Surrey based on the latest crime data.
Since May, the funding from the Home Office has paid for an extra 900 patrols, resulting in 34 arrests for offences including assault, possession of drugs and breaching anti-social behaviour legislation.
Officers have also engaged with more than 2,600 members of the community and carried out 43 stop and searches in hotspot areas including town centres.
Residents identified ASB, drug taking and shoplifting as key concerns in a series of ‘Policing your Community’ events hosted by the Commissioner and the Chief Constable for Surrey Police this winter.
The boost to existing foot patrols by Surrey Police officers follows a national trial of ‘hotspot policing’ in counties including Essex and Lancashire. In those trials, targeted patrols helped to cut reports of ASB by half.
Anti-social behaviour is sometimes viewed as ‘low level’, but persistent problems are often linked to a bigger picture that includes serious violence and exploitation.
Neighbourhood crime in Surrey remains low and these patrols are focused on enhancing the existing presence of police and partners to help address incidents before their impact grows.
They form part of the wider response to anti-social behaviour in Surrey that is coordinated between the county’s dedicated Anti-social Behaviour and Community Harm Reduction Partnership Delivery Group. That Partnership including Surrey Police, Surrey County Council, local councils, health, housing and support services also work closely together to tackle the types of ASB that affect residents in their homes and anti-social driving and parking that happens on Surrey’s roads.
Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “Anti-social behaviour is a key topic of conversation when I ask residents for their views on policing in Surrey.
“I am delighted that these targeted patrols are directly tackling those types of ASB that are happening in our local spaces and are addressing the other concerns that people have told me are most important where they live – including drug dealing, theft and shoplifting.
“Surrey Police now have record numbers of police officers and this boost to the existing work of the Force to drive down ASB and violence means our officers are highly visible in those places where it will have the maximum impact.
“The results from the first two months of the extra funding are promising and this is just part of the wider work that is happening to reduce the impact of ASB in our communities.”
Chief Inspector Andy Hill, who is overseeing the roll out of hotspot patrols in Surrey, said: “The funding has allowed us to target additional patrols into our communities where anti-social behaviour and violence is most prevalent. We have seen good results from this proactive policing, and communities should be reassured to see officers out on foot.”
Residents are urged to report crime at surrey.police.uk, by calling 101 or sending a direct message on official Surrey Police social media channels. Always dial 999 in an emergency.
Anyone who witnesses, or is concerned about anti-social behaviour can find out how to report it at healthysurrey.org.uk/community-safety/asb Rowdy behaviour, drug use, theft, anti-social use of vehicles, anti-social drinking and criminal damage are examples of ASB and crime that should be reported to Surrey Police.
Following the incident that took place in Staines-upon-Thames on Friday night, I have been in regular contact with senior officers from Surrey Police who have kept me updated on the situation.
I fully appreciate the distress and strength of feeling this incident has caused and the understandable concern of both the local community and the wider public.
Surrey Police has made an internal referral to its Professional Standards Department and have also referred the matter to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) for independent consideration.
I am confident this is absolutely the right course of action to follow. Whilst I appreciate the public want answers about the events of Friday night and the circumstances leading up to it, I would continue to ask that everyone allows time for this to be properly reviewed.
Surrey Police has vowed to ensure this matter is diligently investigated so that a full understanding of what took place and why can be properly established. I would like to reassure Surrey residents that in my key role of holding the Force to account, my office will be scrutinising that process to ensure it is thorough and robust. I am also committed to fully supporting any investigation by the IOPC and will be closely monitoring any developments in this case.
Lisa Townsend Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey
Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, has issued a statement following an incident involving a loose cow in Staines-upon-Thames on the evening of Friday, June 14.
The Commissioner said: “I am aware of the incident involving a cow in the Staines area last night and Surrey Police’s decision to voluntarily refer their handling of this incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
“I understand the concern that this has caused both in the local community and beyond and that many people are worried about the welfare of the animal involved. The cow is being treated by a vet and receiving care and like everyone, I hope that she makes a full recovery.
“There is much speculation on social media, which does not necessarily reflect the situation, which was ongoing for a number of hours, or the difficult decisions facing officers on the ground at the time.
“I agree the Force were right to opt for a self referral in this instance, and I know they are also thoroughly evaluating the incident internally.
“I would ask everyone to allow time for this to be properly reviewed rather than speculating and causing unnecessary additional stress and concern within the community.
“I am receiving regular updates from chief officers and will continue to monitor the ongoing situation.”
Five new mobile CCTV cameras will be installed in Walton next week in a bid to crack down on anti-social behaviour, illegal parking and street drinking.
The cameras were financed through the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund, which was secured by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey, in partnership with Elmbridge Borough Council and Surrey Police.
They will be installed in Ashley Park, Cowey Sale, Ambleside Avenue, Hepworth Way and the Drewitts Court car park during the week commencing May 27.
Walton was granted a total of £273,000. The funding will also pay for youth outreach programmes and additional security measures in the Drewitts Court car park, including speed bumps, anti-graffiti and urine paint, and improved lighting.
Improvements will also be made to the community garden at the St John’s estate.
As well as deterring rowdy or inconsiderate behaviour, illegal parking and street drinking, the cameras will be used to provide video evidence to Surrey Police, Surrey County Council and the Elmbridge Borough Council environmental enforcement team.
The installation of the cameras is also supported by local businesses, Surrey Police and Surrey County Council. It follows the recent extension of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for parts of Walton-on-Thames.
Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “Safer Streets is a fantastic initiative that is making a real difference to the lives of residents in Walton.
Tackling issues ‘head-on’
“Since I was first elected as Surrey’s Commissioner, I have spoken with thousands of residents and listened to their thoughts about policing in their communities.
“I know that anti-social behaviour and neighbourhood crime are key issues for those who live in Walton, and this funding allows us to tackle some of these issues head-on.”
Councillor Kirsty Hewens, Portfolio Holder for Enterprise, Parking and Local Economy, said: “We want our residents and visitors to not only feel safe in Elmbridge but to take pride in our towns, parks and green spaces.
“Having these mobile cameras will act as a deterrent against street drinking, littering and illegal parking, allowing everyone to enjoy our borough.”
This action followed a survey for residents and visitors to the town which highlighted community concerns around anti-social behaviour (ASB), drugs, shoplifting and violent crime.
Over the past six months, partners have been developing and implementing measures to reduce crime in Redhill. The project adopts the College of Policing’s ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ framework, which brings together police, partners and the community to disrupt serious and organised crime and importantly, sustain a reduction in criminal behaviour.
This is a three-phased approach where targeted disruptions aim to ‘clear’ offenders from Redhill, followed by sustained intervention to ‘hold’ the area free from crime. The ‘build’ phase focuses on preventative work, driven by the community, to address the root causes of ASB and crime in the town.
As part of this initiative, Surrey Police is conducting proactive operations within Redhill to target and remove criminals operating in the town. This is some of the police activity that has taken place over the past two months:
54 arrests for offences including drugs, drink driving, assault, shoplifting, going equipped for burglary and immigration offences.
20 people charged and 39 community resolutions for lower-level offences.
200+ searches with 26 drug seizures, along with the recovery of £17,700 in cash and seven knives.
Joint operations at Redhill train station with British Transport Police and rail enforcement officers to target county lines drug dealing.
Night-time patrols of the town centre with plain clothed behaviour detection officers to identify suspicious or predatory behaviour.
Work with local businesses to conduct days of action focused on stopping shoplifters.
11 joint licensing visits with Reigate and Banstead Borough Council to support premises in keeping patrons safe.
Patrols of the surrounding road network to disrupt criminals and target driving offences.
Regular community engagement in the town centre and with local schools.
Reigate and Banstead Borough Commander Inspector Jon Vale said: “This initiative is about reducing crime in Redhill for the long-term.
“Surrey remains the fourth safest county in the UK, but from speaking with residents, we know there are concerns about specific patterns of behaviour within the town.
“It’s important that we are challenging all levels of criminality, as often it can be through disrupting offences such as anti-social behaviour and shoplifting we can see the links, and look to prevent, serious and organised crime in the area.
“The increase in arrests reflects the targeted operations taking place in Redhill and I want to reassure residents that it’s this activity that is helping us to identify and root out criminal behaviour.
Crime crackdown
“The collaborative effort from partners and the community has been fantastic, and the sustained work on measures within the community I hope will have a lasting impact.”
Safer Redhill is supported by funding secured through the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, including £265,000 of Safer Streets funding and £58,000 from the Community Safety Fund.
Surrey Police is working closely with Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and YMCA East Surrey to implement some of the measures made possible through this funding which support the ‘hold’ and ‘build’ phase of the project, such as a new youth bus.
Council leader Councillor Richard Biggs said: “It’s exciting to be part of Safer Redhill, which is bringing partners together to take pride in the town centre and make sure everyone can enjoy the many great things Redhill has to offer safely.
Dozens of arrests
“Our community safety, enforcement, licencing and cleansing teams are all working closely with the police and YMCA youth workers to address both the causes and effects of anti-social behaviour and crime.
“The response from local businesses, the Redhill Business Guild and community organisations has been amazing.
“My thanks go to all involved in this project and I want to encourage people living in or visiting Redhill to get involved too and report any concerns they may have.”
Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, joined officers in Redhill on Thursday to observe an operation to target shoplifting in the town.
‘Redhill is a hostile place for criminals’
She said: “Our local police teams are working incredibly hard to ensure Redhill is a hostile place for criminals, so I am delighted to see this the impact this targeted action is having in the town.
“Initiatives like Clear, Hold, Build show just how important close partnership working is for agencies to identify problems and tackle them effectively them for the benefit of our local communities.
“I know that anti-social behaviour, violence, drug dealing and shoplifting have been key issues that have blighted the town centre and we are determined to drive this sort of criminality out of Redhill.
“I hope the sustained activity will continue to make the area a safer place for local residents and help restore pride in where they live.”
SURREY’S newly re-elected Police and Crime Commissioner joined police amid a crackdown on criminals in Redhill – and told residents: “We are acting on your concerns.”
Lisa Townsend, who received 95,538 votes from the Surrey public in last week’s elections, has vowed to continue supporting “back to basics” policing in Surrey.
Yesterday, the Commissioner joined Reigate and Banstead police officers for a targeted operation to tackle shoplifting in Redhill. It came less than 24 hours after officers from both Surrey Police and British Transport Police targeted drug dealers at Redhill Railway Station.
The campaign is part of Clear, Hold, Build, a new initiative that targets criminals, ‘clearing’ them from crime hotspots. Police then ‘hold’ these areas to ensure offenders aren’t able to return.
Lisa has contributed almost £60,000 from her Community Safety Fund to support Clear, Hold, Build in Redhill.
As part of the programme’s ‘build’ phase, a further £265,000 in Home Office Safer Streets funding secured by Lisa, Reigate and Banstead Council and Surrey Police, will be used for town centre improvements, youth outreach and anti-social behaviour training.
The Force has committed to a renewed focus on issues that matter most to residents, including anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and targeting persistent offenders.
The Commissioner said: “Over the past three years, I have listened to the views of thousands of residents in Surrey on the policing service they receive.
“I know the public want officers doing the job only they can – investigating and solving crime and taking offenders off our streets.
“That’s why initiatives like Clear, Hold, Build are so important.
“Both the Chief Constable and I are committed to tackling all criminal activity in our county.
“Using community-led intelligence, officers are making this town a hostile place for criminals and trouble-makers.
“Operations like these clear offenders from often-targeted locations, and an increased police presence deters these criminals from returning.
“Working alongside our partners at Reigate and Banstead Council, we can then focus on crime prevention to ensure the community feels safe.
“The ‘build’ phase of the programme is funded in part by the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund, which was achieved thanks to close partnership working with both the local authority and the Force.
“Shoplifting, anti-social behaviour, vandalism and drug dealing have a real impact on Surrey residents, and we are determined to bring down offenders and support those who have suffered harm.
“I have heard what Redhill residents want, and we are acting on their concerns.”
Surrey Police will issue an update on Clear, Hold, Build next week.
