Time is running out for members of the business community to have their say on the impact of retail crime.
Just a week remains to fill in a new survey, launched by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner in partnership with Surrey Police.
Respondents are being asked about their experiences of this type of offending, as well as any economic, emotional or physical harm suffered.
Retail crime has a significant impact in Surrey, and both Commissioner Lisa Townsend and Chief Constable Tim De Meyer are determined to deal with offenders robustly and listen closely to concerns.
While every effort has been made to share the survey with as many people as possible, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has urged recipients to share the link within their networks to allow us to hear from anyone who would like to respond.
“Far from a ‘victimless crime'”
The Commissioner said: “This type of criminality is far from a ‘victimless crime’, and we are determined to tackle it head-on.
“Entire communities can be affected by retail crime. It can make those who live and work in Surrey feel less safe on the streets.
“While arrests, convictions and out-of-court interventions for retail crime are improving in the county, we know there is more work to do, and I urge Surrey’s business community to share their thoughts in our survey.”
SURREY’S Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has unveiled a new blueprint for policing in the county over the next three years.
The Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan sets out the priorities she wants Surrey Police to concentrate on during the rest of her current term of office, which ends in 2028.
It was created following an extensive consultation period where nearly 3,000 residents gave their views, together with community groups, businesses, partners and victims’ services.
Police and Crime Commissioners are required to produce a Police and Crime Plan every four years and it will form the basis upon which Lisa holds the Chief Constable to account for the policing service Surrey Police provide.
Surrey Police is one of the fastest-improving forces in the country having more than doubled its charge rate in the past 12 months, with an additional 3,500 offences prosecuted.
Charges for burglary, assault, retail crime, rape and child abuse have significantly increased, and an additional 2,500 arrests have been made across all crime types.
But the Commissioner said there are challenges ahead. The Force has to find around £18million in savings over the next four years, while criminal justice delays are putting additional pressure on victims’ services.
The Force is also facing increasing demand on ‘hidden’ crime, such as domestic abuse, fraud, and the online exploitation of children, which target some of the most vulnerable people in Surrey.
“I want Surrey Police to focus on tackling those crimes that blight our local communities, while also taking persistent offenders off our streets.
“I promised that we would return to a ‘back to basics’ approach to policing, and this pledge forms the cornerstone of my Police and Crime Plan.
“Fighting crime, getting tough on offenders, and protecting Surrey’s most vulnerable residents must be at the heart of the Force’s priorities in the coming years.
“We carried out extensive consultation with residents, community groups, business leaders and victims’ services, as well as hosting 12 in-person and online Policing Your Community events over the autumn and winter.
‘Back to basics’
“I have heard loud and clear what those who live and work in Surrey want to see their policing teams do in our communities and they are making great progress.
“Surrey Police is one of the fastest-improving forces in the country, with 3,500 additional charges across all crime types in 12 months, as well as 2,500 more arrests.
“Charges for some of the crime types that are particularly important to residents, such as child abuse, burglary and retail crime, have dramatically improved.
“It is crucial that this fantastic progress is sustained so we can continue taking the fight to criminals who seek to gain a foothold in our communities.
“Surrey remains a wonderful place in which to live and work, and I am committed to working with the Chief Constable to deliver on the priorities outlined in my Plan.”
A YEAR of partnership working in Redhill has led to 25 years in prison for offenders and the seizure of 10kg of suspected cocaine.
Safer Redhill, an initiative designed to cut crime and foster pride in the town, brings together Surrey Police, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and YMCA East Surrey, as well as local business and community partners.
The initiative 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.
The project adopts the College of Policing’s ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ framework, a three-stage approach where police ‘clear’ offenders from Redhill and work in tandem with interventions from partners to ensure it remains that way.
Campaign’s success
From joint drugs operations at Redhill train station to plain clothed officers deployed at night to spot suspicious behaviour, a huge range of activity has had extensive results, including:
155 arrests for offences including assaults, burglary, drink driving, drug supply and shoplifting
93 charges, of which 81 were charged and remanded
A combined prison time of 25 years for local offenders, with many more still to appear for trial
Two Criminal Behaviour Orders issued for anti-social behaviour and 80 Community Resolutions issued for offences such as possession of a small quantity of drugs, low value and first time shoplifting offences and minor public order incidents
Over £7,000 worth of fines, court costs and victim surcharges issued by the courts
86 drug seizures, including 10kg of suspected cocaine
£89,000 cash recovered and weapons taken off the streets
15 vehicles seized and driving disqualification penalties issued that total 8.5 years.
Alongside enforcement activity, the local policing team has built strong relationships within the town, from engaging with students at colleges and holding Meet the Beat sessions to licensing visits with the council’s Joint Enforcement Team.
‘Incredibly proud’
Borough Commander Jon Vale said: “I’m incredibly proud of the efforts of all our partners to address crime in Redhill and help people feel safer in the town.
“It’s a team effort and I’m grateful to all the businesses, organisations and residents who are supporting this project to take pride in Redhill.
“When our communities look at the number of arrests and charges we’ve made over the past year, I want to reassure residents that it’s through the work we’ve been doing that we’re able to seek out and clear this crime from the town.
“Surrey remains one of the safest counties in the UK and our enforcement activities have had a strong impact in Redhill. Since we began our increased police activity, we’ve seen a significant decrease in crimes such as shoplifting, sexual assaults, serious attacks, robbery and anti-social behaviour.”
Safer Redhill aims to have a lasting impact and there is significant work going on to improve the area.
Lasting impact
Local initiatives include solar lighting and a mural designed by young people in Memorial Park, detached youth work by the YMCA and women’s self defence classes by Redhill Boxing Club.
The latest addition to the town will be the installation of two bleed kits by the Safer Redhill partnership, which have been installed next to defibrillators as part of the town’s provision to support people in medical emergencies.
Results from the Force’s regular neighbourhood survey indicate these changes are making a difference, showing an increase in the community’s trust and confidence in the police.
Surrey Police will soon launch a bespoke survey for residents and visitors to Redhill to tell officers where to focus their continued efforts.
Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, and Surrey Police’s Chief Constable, Tim De Meyer, are today asking members of the business community to have their say on the impact of retail crime.
It is recognised that retail crime has a significant impact in Surrey, and both the Commissioner and the Chief Constable are determined to deal with offenders robustly and listen closely to concerns.
While every effort has been made to share the survey with as many people as possible, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has urged recipients to share the link within their networks to allow us to hear from anyone who would like to respond.
Chief Constable Tim De Meyer said: “Retail crime is far from a ‘victimless crime’. It leads to fear and loss across a whole network from business owners to employees and customers – who are all part of a community we are here to protect.
“We are committed to tackling retail crime head on, relentlessly pursuing those who steal from shops. To do so, we rely on thefts being reported so that we can identify hotspots and trends, act swiftly, and prevent crime from happening and catch the offenders where it does occur.
“Pursuing all appropriate avenues to identify offenders, collect evidence, recover stolen property, ensure witnesses are located and interviewed, and get these crimes to court, is a priority for our officers.
“Work continues to deal robustly with offenders of retail crime. We have made great strides in this area, but there is more to do. With your help, I am sure that we can improve even more.”
Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, said: “Retail crime can impact entire communities.
“As well as the economic, emotional and sometimes physical harm caused, this criminality can make those who live and work in Surrey feel less safe.
“Reports of retail crime are rising, not only in Surrey, but around the country. However, we are pleased to say that arrests, convictions and out-of-court interventions for retail crime are improving.
“There is more work to do and I urge Surrey’s business community to share their thoughts in our survey.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said policing teams in Surrey will be properly funded to tackle those crimes important to residents after it was confirmed her proposed council tax rise will go ahead earlier today.
The nine members of the Panel present, made up of local councillors and one independent member, voted on the Commissioner’s proposal with four votes in favour and four votes against with one abstention. The Chair of the Panel cast the deciding vote against.
However, there were insufficient votes to veto the proposal and the Panel accepted the Commissioner’s precept will come into effect.
Lisa said Surrey Police are one of the fastest-improving forces in the country and today’s decision means they can continue that momentum over the coming year.
Precept to rise
In the last 12 months, Surrey Police has more than doubled its charge rate, with an additional 3,500 offences being prosecuted.
It has also made over 2,500 more arrests and made dramatic improvements in tackling offences important to residents such as burglary, shoplifting, child abuse and rape.
During January, the Commissioner’s office carried out a public survey in which more than 3,200 people took part and gave their views on the proposed precept increase.
Residents were asked whether they would be prepared to pay the suggested £14 extra a year on their council tax bill. 59% of respondents said they would be willing to pay the £14 increase while 41% voted against it.
The policing element of an average Band D Council Tax bill will now be set at £337.57, an increase of £14 a year or £1.16 a month. It equates to around a 4.3% increase across all council tax bands.
Charge rate doubles
One of the Commissioner’s key responsibilities is to set the overall budget for Surrey Police. That includes determining the level of council tax raised for policing in the county which funds the Force together with a grant from central government.
The Commissioner will shortly launch her new Police and Crime Plan for Surrey for the next three years, the draft of which was also discussed at today’s panel meeting.
The Plan will focus on a more ‘back to basics’ approach which the Commissioner said will concentrate on what policing does best – fighting crime in our local communities, getting tough on offenders and protecting people.
‘Back to basics’
Lisa said while it is great news that Surrey Police are arresting more criminals, delays in the criminal justice system mean that victims are waiting longer for those cases to come to court.
A small proportion of the precept will be used to help fund some of the amazing services in the county that Lisa says “provide truly life-changing support to victims of crime in Surrey”.
Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “Surrey Police has been one of the fastest improving forces in the country over the last year and I am determined to ensure that brilliant progress is sustained.
“That is why it is so vital our policing teams are given the right support and I am delighted that that my precept proposal will go ahead following today’s meeting.
“The contributions the Surrey public make are absolutely crucial in helping our hard-working officers and staff tackle those crimes I know are so important to people in our local communities.
“Your views are invaluable”
“Asking the public for more money in the current financial climate is one of the toughest calls I have to make as Police and Crime Commissioner for this county, and it is not a decision I take lightly.
“But I know from speaking to residents at our recent Policing Your Community events how much they value that visible policing presence and getting a swift and effective police response when they need it.
“This was echoed in the comments made in our council tax survey, in which 59% of respondents who took part said they would be willing to pay the increase to support our policing teams over the next year.
“I want to thank everyone who took part and shared their views – they are invaluable for shaping our policing strategies going forward.
“I am currently putting the finishing touches to my new Police and Crime Plan for the county, which will focus on a ‘back to basics’ approach to policing in our communities.
“Today’s decision will mean our officers and staff will be properly supported to continue to take the fight to criminals and deliver on the priorities in that Plan to make our communities even safer for Surrey residents.”
Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson, on left, and Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, on right, pictured in front of the Surrey County Council HQ at Woodhatch
Hundreds of Surrey residents have had their say on the issues that affect them most as the Policing Your Community roadshow returned during the autumn and winter.
The events, which took place in each of the county’s 11 boroughs, as well as online, gave audiences the opportunity to share their thoughts about crime and policing where they live.
The series kicked off in Guildford borough in late September, and concluded with an online meeting on January 13. Around 100 people attended the virtual event, where questions ranging from CCTV use in Guildford and Cobham to delays to court cases were asked.
During the meetings, hosted by Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, Surrey Police Chief Constable Tim De Meyer, and each of the Borough Commanders, a number of common concerns emerged.
The Commissioner will shortly launch her Police and Crime Plan, created with the input of residents, community groups, businesses and victims’ services across Surrey.
The Plan, which provides a blueprint for policing priorities in the county until 2028, will reflect the concerns raised by communities.
Lisa is also currently asking residents what they’d be prepared to pay to support policing in Surrey. You can have your say HERE.
Surrey Police is dedicated to tackling crime. In the past 12 months, the force has more than doubled its charge rate, with an additional 3,500 offences prosecuted.
An additional 2,500 arrests have been made, and both burglary and assault with injury charges have increased by 90 per cent, while shoplifting offences have increased four-fold, with 876 more offences charged across the country.
“The Policing Your Community events allowed both myself and the Chief Constable to hear what people are most concerned about where they live, and to answer any questions they may have.
‘Taking the fight to criminals’
“My upcoming Police and Crime Plan, which sets the priorities for police in Surrey, will reflect some of the issues we have heard during the roadshow.
“The Chief’s own plan, which is designed to take the fight to criminals by relentlessly pursuing the most prolific offenders, tackling pockets of lawlessness, and driving drug dealers and shoplifting gangs out of the county, is working.
“Surrey Police is one of the fastest-improving forces in the country, and our officers and staff are more determined than ever to make this county a hostile place for criminality.
“In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing more about my plans for the coming years, and I’ll be highlighting some of the fantastic work that goes on day in, day out by our hard-working teams.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend is asking Surrey residents whether they would be prepared to pay a little extra to support the county’s “fastest-improving” police service over the coming year.
In the last 12 months, Surrey Police has more than DOUBLED its charge rate, with an additional 3,500 offences being prosecuted. It has also made over 2,500 more arrests and made dramatic improvements in tackling offences important to residents such as burglary, shoplifting, child abuse and rape.
The Commissioner says this has made Surrey Police one of the fastest-improving forces in the country.
But in order to maintain this momentum, protect victims and continue to make our communities even safer, Lisa says Surrey Police desperately need funding to ensure that hard work isn’t undone.
Those who live in Surrey are being invited to fill in a brief survey on whether they would support an increase of a little over £1 extra a month on an average council tax bill for 2025/26.
One of the Commissioner’s key responsibilities is to set the overall budget for Surrey Police. That includes determining the level of council tax raised for policing in the county, known as the precept, which funds the Force together with a grant from central government.
In December, the Government announced their policing settlement for the next financial year which stated that Police and Crime Commissioners are allowed to request an additional £14 per Band D property.
This equates to little over £1.16 a month on an average household, or 4.3 per cent across all council tax bands.
Every pound of precept amounts to an extra half-a-million pounds in the policing budget.
The Commissioner said that the contributions the Surrey public make through their council tax contributions are “absolutely vital” and have been paying dividends over the last 12 months.
Burglary and assault with injury charges have both increased by 90 per cent, while shoplifting charges have increased four-fold with 876 more offences charged across the county.
There have been 20 per cent more arrests year-on-year, with an average of 50 more per week, while the number of outstanding suspects has reduced by a third.
‘Impressive’
Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend said: “When I set the police budget last year, I pledged that Surrey residents’ council tax contributions would be focused on what policing does best – fighting crime in our local communities, getting tough on offenders and protecting people.
“The progress we have seen over the last 12 months has been really impressive. The charge rate has been doubled and huge strides have been made in tackling those crimes important to our residents such as burglary, shoplifting and violence against women and girls
“The Chief Constable’s plan is working, and Surrey Police is one of the fastest improving forces in the country. But there is still more to do.
“During our recent Policing Your Community roadshow, residents told me loud and clear how they value that visible local policing presence in their communities and getting a swift and effective police response when they need it.
Survey launches
“I want to ensure our local policing teams are properly funded so we can continue to improve that service to our communities.
“While it is great news that Surrey Police are arresting more criminals, and long may that continue, delays in the criminal justice system mean that victims are waiting longer for those cases to come to court.
“These can be some of the most vulnerable people in our society and it is really important that we properly support them through this difficult process. I want to ensure we invest in those fantastic services in the county that provide truly life-changing support to those victims of crime in Surrey.
“In order to achieve this and maintain the success of the last year, I need to make sure our police teams have the right resources in the face of some difficult financial challenges.
Have your say
“The reality is that the government settlement this year will not cover the increased costs we continue to face in Surrey, and we must make up a shortfall in both the police officers’ pay increase and the rise in employers National Insurance.
“The Force is making every effort to find efficiencies across the board to ensure we provide the very best value for money for our residents. But they still must find in the region of £18m in savings over the next four years.
“That is why I must balance the burden on the public with ensuring I give the Chief Constable the tools to keep the Force’s head above water and continue to take the fight to criminals in our county.
“Any gap in funding will mean further savings having to be made, including cuts to the workforce. The Force may have no choice but to reduce some of the services which the public value the most – such as taking calls, investigating crimes and detaining suspects.
Force improvements
“Our policing teams do a fantastic job keeping our communities safe. I want Surrey Police to build on the brilliant progress they have made over the last year and continue to tackle those issues that are priorities for you.
“It is important to me to find out what Surrey residents think and whether they would be willing to pay a little extra to support our policing teams again this year.
“So I would ask everyone to take a minute to fill out our brief survey and give me their views.”
The council tax survey will close at midnight on 1 February 2025. For more information, visit this link.
You can also read an open letter from the Commissioner here, and find frequently asked questions here.
POLICE have visited hundreds of Surrey Heath residents to help them protect their properties from burglars this winter.
Since September 1, 43 burglaries have been committed in the borough.
British Asian communities have been disproportionately affected for their gold jewellery, which is often bought as a wedding gift and passed down through generations.
Senior leaders at Surrey Police shared their efforts to track down burglars during the tenth Policing Your Community event, which took place in Frimley on the evening of Monday, December 2.
Burglary patrol
Borough Commander Gemma Taylor said two members of her team have voluntarily made a permanent move to late shifts to ensure they’re on-hand during the night to support burglary victims.
Meanwhile, her officers have visited almost 400 homes in recent weeks to reassure residents and issue burglary prevention advice and free motion alarms.
During the evening, foot patrols took place in residential areas of Camberley, Windlesham, Frimley, Lightwater, and West End and Bisley.
Prevention advice
Lisa said: “Becoming a victim of a burglary has a really significant impact that often lingers long after the crime has taken place.
“Most burglaries have taken place when residents are out of their homes at work or on the school run. In most cases, their homes were in darkness when the offenders broke in.
“The team here in Surrey Heath are doing all they can to track down the individuals responsible for these appalling crimes, and I know how hard all staff, officers and volunteers are working to end this spate of offending.
“But in the meantime, there are things residents can do to help prevent burglaries.
The answers will help the Commissioner draw up her Police and Crime Plan, which provides the blueprint for policing in Surrey until 2028.
It will be published in early 2025 and will cover her current term of office.
Lisa was re-elected for a second term of office in May this year and has pledged to ensure Surrey Police implement a ‘back-to-basics’ approach to policing in the county.
She said: “Time is running out for Surrey’s residents to put their voices at the heart of policing.
‘Get offenders off our streets’
“My survey will close on Thursday, and I’d urge anyone who hasn’t yet had their say to fill it in.
“I want Surrey Police to focus on tackling those crimes that blight our local communities and to target persistent offenders and take them off our streets.
“But it’s really important that I hear from as many people as possible about what is happening where you live and what you want to see your police teams focus on in the future.
“The Force is making great strides, with an additional 3,500 charges across all crime types in the past 12 months. We must sustain that fantastic progress, but there are challenges ahead and tough choices will have to be made on where we focus resources.
“That’s why I want to concentrate on what Surrey residents say is most important to them.”
The final in-person event takes place this Wednesday, December 11 at Haslemere Museum in Waverley borough. An online event for those who were unable to join their nearest meeting will then be hosted on January 13 next year.
Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner says she is “glad” reports of shoplifting are increasing in the county.
Lisa Townsend acknowledged that her response might seem “strange” to residents.
But rising reports are likely to reflect a more accurate picture of offending in Surrey – meaning police are better-equipped to respond.
Figures released by the Office for National Statistics last month, which take into account crime to the year ending June 2024, show that reports of shoplifting rose by 53 per cent in just 12 months.
This is the highest number of reported offences in this category since 2015.
However, provisional figures suggest that the Force is now arresting significantly more shoplifters.
Shoplifting rates rise in Surrey…
In the past 12 months, 837 more arrests for shoplifting were made than the previous year.
Shoplifting offences are increasing across the country. Nationally, reports rose by 29 per cent, and are now at the highest levels since recording began.
Surrey has previously recorded some of the lowest rates of shoplifting in England and Wales.
Lisa said: “We know that Surrey has often been hailed for the low number of shoplifting incidents reported.
“But I’m glad that this isn’t the case anymore.
“That may sound very strange to the public.
“However, the likely truth of those low numbers is that victims simply weren’t reporting these crimes to Surrey Police.
…But so do arrests
“I have spoken with a huge number of retailers through my work. Just last year, at the Policing Your Community event in Woking, I was told that a branch of the Co-op was seeing up to 20 thefts a day.
“The Force has openly encouraged victims of all offences to make sure they are reporting crimes. I hope that the increase in shoplifting rates is, at least in part, a reflection of that.”
The Commissioner said it is not always possible for victims to feel there has been a satisfactory conclusion to a report.
However, arrests are increasing.
“In the past year, we have seen 837 more arrests for shoplifting,” she said.
Myth-busting
“Across the board, the Force’s arrest rate has risen significantly. When it comes to shoplifting in particular, the arrest rate was 8.1 per cent – it is now 18.4 per cent.
“We still have a long road to travel, but we are certainly heading in the right direction.”
The issue has been repeatedly raised during the Policing Your Community events, which are currently taking place across the county.
Members of the public have heard some of the Force’s success stories.
At the event in Tandridge during late October, Borough Commander Lyndsey Whatley said three suspected members of an all-female organised crime group (OCG) have recently been charged.
In Spelthorne, Borough Commander Matt Walton revealed his team’s shoplifting detection rate is up by 50 per cent.
And in Guildford, three shoplifters connected to organised criminality have recently been jailed for stealing almost £200,000-worth of goods from supermarkets.
‘Report it’ plea
The thieves are believed to be responsible for more than 100 crimes targeting large supermarkets.
Surrey Police’s investigators worked in partnership with Tesco, wading through hours of CCTV footage, to secure the convictions.
Lisa said: “The Chief Constable, Tim De Meyer, takes shoplifting incredibly seriously.
“When I speak to officers, they take it incredibly seriously.
“Shoplifting is not a victimless crime, and we urge retailers to continue reporting offences as and when they occur.”
Lisa Townsend has urged victims of shoplifting to keep reporting offences
