Category: National policing

nitrous cannister on soil

Commissioner welcomes laughing gas ban after substance fuels anti-social behaviour “blight”

Posted on | by Alex Winter

SURREY’S Police and Crime Commissioner has welcomed a ban on nitrous oxide amid warnings that the substance – also known as laughing gas – fuels anti-social behaviour across the country.

Lisa Townsend, who is currently hosting a series of engagement events in each of Surrey’s 11 boroughs, said the drug has a serious impact for both users and communities.

The ban, which comes into force this Wednesday, November 8, will make nitrous oxide a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Those who repeatedly misuse nitrous oxide could face up to two years in prison, while dealers could be sentenced to 14 years behind bars.

There are exemptions for legitimate use, including pain relief in hospitals.

Commissioner welcomes ban

Lisa said: “People living across the country will have seen the small silver canisters littering public spaces.

“These are visible markers demonstrating that recreational use of nitrous oxide has become a blight to our communities. It so often goes hand-in-hand with anti-social behaviour, which has an out-size impact on residents.

“It’s crucial to both myself and every Surrey Police officer that our residents not only are safe, but that they feel safe too, and I believe this week’s law change will contribute to that important goal.

“Nitrous oxide can also have a devastating impact on users, who can suffer effects including damage to the nervous system and even death.

“Devastating impact”

“We’ve also seen an increase in collisions, including serious and fatal crashes, where the use of this substance has been a factor.

“I do remain concerned that this ban places a disproportionate emphasis on the criminal justice system, including police, who must meet increasing demand with limited resources.

“As a result, I will look to build on partnership working with multiple agencies in a bid to improve education on the dangers of nitrous oxide, provide more opportunities for young people, and better support those affected by anti-social behaviour in all of its forms.”

Commissioner says government mental health announcement must act as a turning point for policing

Posted on | by Alex Winter

SURREY’S Police and Crime Commissioner says a new agreement on the emergency response to mental health calls announced by government today must act as a crucial turning point for overstretched police forces.

Lisa Townsend said responsibility for vulnerable people must return to specialist services, rather than police, ahead of the national roll-out of the Right Care, Right Person model.

The Commissioner has long championed the scheme, which will see the NHS and other agencies step in when a person is in crisis, saying it is critical to reducing the strain on police forces across the country.  

In Surrey, the amount of time officers are spending with those suffering mental health difficulties has almost trebled in the past seven years.

Scheme ‘will save 1m hours of police time’

The Home Office and Department of Health and Social Care has today announced a National Partnership Agreement that will pre-empt the implementation of Right Care, Right Person. The government estimates that the scheme could save one million hours of police time in England every year.

Lisa is continuing to have discussions with partners in mental health care, hospitals, social services and the ambulance service, and recently travelled to Humberside, where Right Care, Right Person launched five years ago, to learn more about the approach.

The Commissioner and a senior Surrey Police officers spent time in the Humberside Police contact centre, where they saw how mental health calls are triaged by the Force.

Turning point for forces

Lisa, who leads on mental health for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, yesterday addressed reporters at a national press conference held at the Home Office to introduce the scheme.

She said: “The announcement of this partnership agreement today and the roll out of Right Care, Right Person must act as a turning point in how police forces respond to non-emergency mental health calls.

“I recently had a fantastic meeting with officers in Humberside, and we’ve been learning some really good and important lessons from them on how this works.

“Around 1m hours of police time across the country could be saved if we get this right, so the police service must grasp this opportunity to ensure people get the right care when they need it, and at the same time, free up police resources to tackle crime. That is what we know our communities want to see.

‘It’s what our communities want’

“Where there is a threat to life, or the risk of serious injury, the police will of course always be there.

“However, Surrey’s Chief Constable Tim De Meyer and I agree that officers should not be attending every call that is related to mental health and that other agencies are better-placed to respond and provide support.

“If someone is in crisis, I don’t want to see them in the back of a police car.

“It cannot be the right response in the vast majority of these situations for two police officers to turn up, and I believe it could even be dangerous to a vulnerable person’s welfare.

“There are jobs only police can do. Only the police can prevent and detect crime.

“We would not ask a nurse or a doctor to do that work for us.

“In many cases, where a person isn’t at risk of harm, we must insist that the relevant agencies step in, rather than relying on our policing teams.

“This isn’t something that will be rushed – we are committed to working closely with our partners to implement these changes and ensure vulnerable people receive the right care, from the right person.”

Office of the Commissioner and Surrey Police staff in a meeting at the PCCs office

“Time for change”: Commissioner hails new national programme aimed at driving up convictions for serious sexual offences

Posted on | by Alex Winter

SURREY’S Police and Crime Commissioner has hailed the arrival of a new national programme aimed at driving up convictions for rape and other serious sexual offences.

Lisa Townsend spoke out after every police force in England and Wales signed up to Operation Soteria, a joint policing and prosecutions programme.

The Home Office-funded initiative aims to develop new operating models for the investigation and prosecution of rape in a bid to increase the number of cases reaching court by more than double.

Lisa recently hosted Edward Argar, the Minister for Victims and Sentencing, to discuss the implementation of Soteria.

Pictured l-r are DCC Nev Kemp, Lisa Townsend, Edward Argar, Head of Commissioning Lisa Herrington, and Chief Constable Tim De Meyer

During the MP’s visit to Guildford, he joined a tour of Surrey’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) to learn more about the work that is currently being done to support survivors.

One of the key priorities in Lisa’s Police and Crime Plan is to tackle violence against women and girls. Her office commissions a network of services focusing on crime prevention and victim support.

Police in Surrey are already dedicated to improving convictions for serious sexual offending, and specially-trained Sexual Offence Liaison Officers were introduced in 2020 to support victims.

As part of Soteria, officers dealing with traumatic cases will also receive more support.

‘We know something has to change’

Lisa said: “There are many wonderful initiatives that I’m proud to champion and support in this county.

“However, it indisputably remains that convictions for sexual violence in Surrey and the wider UK are shockingly low.

“While reports made about a serious sexual offence in the county have seen a sustained drop over the past 12 months, and Surrey’s solved outcome rate for these reports is currently higher than the national average, we know that something has to change.

“We’re absolutely committed to bringing more criminals to justice and supporting victims as they navigate the legal system.

Commissioner’s vow

“However, it’s also important to say that those who aren’t yet ready to disclose offences to the police can still access the services of both RASASC and the Sexual Assault Referral Centre, even if they decide to remain anonymous.

“We also know there is more work to be done to support those affected by this terrible crime. A key issue in this county is a lack of appropriate counselling services, and we are taking steps to address this.

“I would urge anyone suffering in silence to come forward, no matter the circumstances. You will find support and kindness from our officers here in Surrey, and from the organisations and charities established to help survivors.

“You are not alone.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend and police officers at a Surrey Police attestation event

Commissioner hails pay rise for ‘hard working’ police officers in Surrey

Posted on | by Nathan Rees

The Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has said she is delighted that hard working police officers in Surrey have been recognised with a 7% pay rise announced today.

The government revealed they had accepted recommendations from the Police Remuneration Review Body meaning police officers of all ranks in England and Wales are in line for the increase from September this year.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “Our policing teams put themselves in harm’s way and go above and beyond on a daily basis to keep our communities safe in Surrey.

“So I am delighted to see the government recognising the amazing job they do with this pay award which is the least the deserve for the service they provide for our residents.

“I know from speaking to our teams in Surrey that increased energy bills, mortgage and food costs are biting deep for everyone. So I hope this pay increase will at least go some way to helping ease the day-to-day pressures they are facing with the cost of living.

“The Home Office have said there will be significant government funding to help meet this rise which is welcomed and really important. We will of course need to examine the detail closely and in particular what this will mean for our future plans for the Surrey Police budget.

“Thanks to the extra number of officers recruited during the government’s Uplift programme over the last three years, we now have more in the Surrey Police ranks than ever before.

“But it is vital that we are able to retain them and I am hopeful this pay award will help us meet that challenge in Surrey over the coming months.”

protester hanging Just Stop Oil sign over motorway gantry

“Most people are utterly fed up of it”: Commissioner backs new law to stop slow-moving protests

Posted on | by Alex Winter

SURREY’S Police and Crime Commissioner has backed new police powers to stop slow-moving protests – as she warned: “Most members of the public are utterly fed up.”

Lisa Townsend said it’s “absolutely right” that forces around the country will be able to intervene immediately when activists bring traffic to a standstill.

The new law, which was green-lit by the government after a spate of protests, specifically relates to slow walking demonstrations.

It will allow police to use a wider definition of what may count as a “serious disruption to the life of the community”.

‘Most people are utterly fed up’

In Surrey, Just Stop Oil has staged a series of protests on the M25, which peaked last year. During each, activists scaled gantries in various locations around the motorway in a bid to halt traffic, ran out into traffic, and in one incident, smashed pumps and glued themselves to lorries and forecourt signs at the Cobham and Clacket Lane services.

Tougher penalties for those who interfere with public infrastructure – such as ‘locking on’ to gantries – were introduced two years ago, and earlier this month, 47 activists who caused chaos on the Surrey stretch of the M25 in September 2021 were convicted of various offences, including wilful obstruction of a highway and criminal damage.

Earlier this month, activists from a separate protest group, Animal Rising, attempted to disrupt the Epsom Derby Festival. In total, 31 arrests were made over the course of the day, with 19 people detained in an early-hours raid before the gates to the Derby opened.

Protest powers

Lisa said: “It’s absolutely right that police will have more discretion where groups are determined to cause serious disruption to communities.

“Officers must have the power to use their discretion in the interests of maintaining public order and safety.

“Peaceful protest is crucial to a healthy democracy, and should be facilitated where it doesn’t infringe on the rights of others, but the co-ordinated criminality we have seen in recent years goes way beyond that.

“Let me be clear: the actions carried out by groups like Just Stop Oil and Animal Rising have frequently been reckless and dangerous, to the activists themselves, to the emergency services, and to members of the public.

‘Reckless and dangerous’

“Most members of the public are utterly fed up of the disruption such activities have caused as they try to go about their lives.

“The incidents we have seen in Surrey have drawn officers away from their duties and put a huge strain on the Force. Officers around the country have a duty to the public, but also to those who are protesting and putting themselves as well as others at physical risk.

“I have seen first-hand how hard police have been working and I fully support their efforts to combat this criminal activity.”

Police and Crime Commisisoner for Surrey Lisa Townsend standing outside the Surrey Police Contact Centre with 'Contact Centre' visible on building sign behind her.

Commissioner backs calls for change on mental health response – after warning thousands of police hours are spent dealing with people in crisis

Posted on | by Alex Winter

SURREY’S Police and Crime Commissioner says the time has come for officers to stop attending every mental health call-out – after the Metropolitan Police announced an August deadline for incidents that don’t involve a threat to life.

Lisa Townsend, who this month warned that the crisis in mental health is taking officers off the frontline, says she believes all forces should follow suit which would save thousands of hours of police time across the country.

The Commissioner has long backed the introduction of the Right Care, Right Person model which initially began in Humberside.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend speaks about Right Care, Right Person at the NPCC's Mental Health and Policing Conference

It ensures that when there are concerns for a person’s welfare that are linked to their mental wellbeing, medical or social care issues, they’ll be seen by the right person with the best skills, training and experience.

Over the past seven years, the number of hours police in Surrey are spending with people in crisis has almost trebled.

In 2022/23, officers dedicated 3,875 hours to supporting those in need under section 136 of the Mental Health Act, which gives police the power to remove a person believed to be suffering from a mental disorder and in need of immediate care to a place of safety.

All section 136 incidents are double-crewed, meaning more than one officer must attend.

‘Time for change’

In February 2023 alone, officers spent 515 hours on incidents relating to mental health – the highest number of hours ever recorded in a single month by the Force.

And in March, two officers spent a full week supporting a vulnerable person, taking the officers away from their other duties.

Last week, Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley gave care services a deadline of August 31 before his officers stop attending such incidents unless there is a risk to life.

Lisa, the national lead for mental health and custody for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), advocated for Right Care, Right Person at the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Mental Health and Policing Conference in May.

Commissioner’s call

She said a police response to a mental health incident may cause further harm to a vulnerable person.

“I have spoken out about this time and time again,” Lisa said today.

“Thousands of hours of police time are being taken up dealing with this issue and it cannot be right that police must shoulder this alone. It is time for action in the interests of public safety, and particularly for those suffering from crisis.

“On a recent visit to Reigate, I learned that one care service calls officers multiple times an evening when patients walk past security guards. Elsewhere, in March, two officers spent a full week of work alongside a person in crisis.

‘Police are shouldering this alone’

“This is not an effective use of officer’s time or what the public would expect their police service to have to deal with.

“The pressure intensifies when services better suited to caring for a person’s wellbeing shut on Friday evenings.

“Our officers do a fantastic job, and they should be proud of all they do to support those in need. But it remains that when appropriate interventions aren’t made by the NHS, huge damage is caused, especially to a vulnerable person.

“It is not safe or appropriate to continue this way.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend speaking at a podium

Commissioner’s warning as crisis in care ‘takes officers off the frontline’

Posted on | by Alex Winter

THE crisis in mental health care is taking Surrey Police officers off the frontline – with two officers recently spending a full week with a single vulnerable person, the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner has warned.

As national Mental Health Awareness Week begins, Lisa Townsend said the burden of care is falling on officer’s shoulders amid nation-wide challenges to provide support to the most vulnerable.

However, a new national model that will take the responsibility away from police will bring “real and fundamental change”, she said.

Over the past seven years, the number of hours police in Surrey are spending with people in crisis has almost trebled.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend speaks about the Right Care, Right Person model at the NPCC’s Mental Health and Policing Conference

In 2022/23, officers dedicated 3,875 hours to supporting those in need under section 136 of the Mental Health Act, which gives police the power to remove a person believed to be suffering from a mental disorder and in need of immediate care to a place of safety. All section 136 incidents are double-crewed, meaning more than one officer must attend.

In February 2023 alone, officers spent 515 hours on incidents relating to mental health – the highest number of hours ever recorded in a single month by the Force.

More than 60 people were detained when they were in crisis in February. The detentions were mostly in police vehicles as a result of ambulance shortages.

During March, two officers spent a full week supporting a vulnerable person – taking the officers away from their other duties.

‘Huge damage’

Across England and Wales, there was a 20 per cent increase in the number of mental health incidents police had to attend last year, according to data from 29 of 43 forces.

Lisa, the national lead for mental health and custody for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), said the issue draws officers away from fighting crime and may even be “dangerous” for a vulnerable person’s wellbeing.

“These figures show the huge damage caused across society when appropriate interventions aren’t made by the NHS,” she said.

“It is neither safe nor appropriate for police to pick up the pieces of a failing mental health care system, and may even be dangerous for the wellbeing of a person in crisis, although officers should be applauded for the fantastic job they do under a great deal of pressure.

“Unlike doctor’s surgeries, community health outreach programmes or council services, the police are available 24 hours a day.

Commissioner’s warning

“We have seen time and time again that 999 calls to help someone in distress spike as other agencies close their doors.

“The time has come for real and fundamental change.

“In the coming months, we hope that forces around the country will no longer have to attend every mental health incident reported. We’ll instead follow a new initiative called Right Care, Right Person, which began in Humberside and has saved officers there more than 1,100 hours per month.

“It means that when there are concerns for a person’s welfare that’s linked to their mental health, medical or social care issues, they’ll be seen by the right person with the best skills, training and experience.

“This will help officers return to the job they have chosen – that of keeping Surrey safe.”

Commissioner Lisa Townsend outside of the Home Office

Commissioner’s warning of lives at risk as hundreds of drivers ignore motorway lane closure signals

Posted on | by Alex Winter

HUNDREDS of drivers ignore motorway lane closure signals during every traffic incident in Surrey – putting lives at risk, the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner has warned.

Lisa Townsend, who last week visited officials at the Department for Transport after taking on a major national role for transport safety, hit out at motorists who continue to drive in lanes marked with a red cross.

Crosses are clearly marked on smart motorway gantries when part of the carriageway is closed. Such a closure might take place if a car has broken down or a crash has been reported.

If a driver sees a red cross illuminated, they must carefully move into another lane.

Variable speed limits are often also disregarded by some drivers. Different limits are imposed based on a variety of factors, including heavy traffic, roadworks or an upcoming obstruction.

Lisa, who is the Association of Police and Crime Commissioner’s new lead for roads policing and transport, said: “Both the red cross sign and variable limits are absolutely essential when it comes to keeping drivers safe on motorways.

“Most drivers respect these signals, but there are some who choose to ignore them. By doing so, they put themselves and others at huge risk.

“Not only is it illegal to drive in this way, it’s very dangerous. If you’re caught speeding or driving in a closed lane by either our Roads Policing Unit or Vanguard Road Safety Team, or by an enforcement camera, the best you can expect is a fixed penalty notice of up to £100 and three points on your licence.

“The police also have the option to impose harsher penalties, and the driver could even be charged and taken to court.”

Dan Quin, lead for transportation at the National Fire Chiefs Council, said: “Red cross signals are there to indicate when a lane is closed.

“When used in the event of emergencies, they provide invaluable access to the scene of an incident, preventing time lost in negotiating the build-up of traffic. 

‘So dangerous’

“Red cross signals also provide safety for workers while on the road, including emergency services and the public, by reducing the risk of further collisions. 

“Ignoring Red cross signals is dangerous, it is an offence and all road users have a role to play in complying with them.” 

All police forces have been able to use enforcement cameras to prosecute drivers who illegally pass under a red cross sign since September last year.

Surrey Police was one of the first forces to prosecute drivers caught by cameras, and has been doing so since November 2019.

Since then, it has issued more than 9,400 notices of intended prosecution, and almost 5,000 drivers have attended safety awareness courses. Others have paid a fine or appeared in court.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend and police officers at a Surrey Police attestation event

“Brilliant news for residents” – Commissioner welcomes announcement that Surrey Police is the biggest it has ever been

Posted on | by Nathan Rees

The Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has hailed today’s announcement that Surrey Police has added 395 extra officers to its ranks since 2019 – making the Force the biggest it’s ever been.

It was confirmed that the Force has exceeded its target under the government’s three year Operation Uplift programme to recruit 20,000 officers across the country, which ended last month.

Home Office figures show that since April 2019 when the programme started, the Force has recruited an extra 395 officers through a combination of Uplift funding and council tax contributions from the Surrey public. This is 136 more than the 259 target the government had set.

This has swelled the total Force number to 2,325 – making it the biggest it has ever been.

Since 2019, Surrey Police has had a total of 44 different intakes of recruits. Around 10 per cent of these new officers are from black and minority ethnic backgrounds while over 46 per cent were female.

The Commissioner said Surrey Police had done an amazing job recruiting the extra numbers in a tough job market following an extensive recruitment campaign run by the Force.

She said: “It has taken a mammoth effort from a whole range of teams within the Force to get to this point today, and I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has worked so incredibly hard over the last three years to achieve this target.

‘More officers than ever before’

“We now have more officers in the Surrey Police ranks than ever before and that is fantastic news for residents. 

“I was really pleased to see the Force have also managed to significantly increase the number of female officers and those from black and minority ethnic backgrounds.

“I believe this will help give the Force an even more diverse workforce and be more representative of the communities they serve in Surrey.

“I had the pleasure of attending the last attestation ceremony at the end of March where 91 of those new recruits pledged to serve the King before going off to complete their training courses.

Huge achievement

“Whilst it has been fantastic to reach this milestone – there is still plenty of hard work to be done. The retention of officers and staff is one of the biggest issues policing is dealing with across the country and this will continue to be a challenge for the Force over the coming months.

“Surrey residents have told me loud and clear they are keen to see more officers on their streets, taking the fight to criminals and tackling those issues important to them where they live.

“So this is really great news today and my office will give all the support we can to our new Chief Constable Tim De Meyer so that we can get these new recruits fully trained and serving our communities as quickly as possible.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend and representative of Police Care UK

Commissioner’s mental health plea after visit to Surrey-based national charity for serving and former police personnel

Posted on | by Alex Winter

COMMISSIONER Lisa Townsend has called for greater awareness of the mental health challenges facing police officers and staff.

On a visit to Police Care UK’s headquarters in Woking, Lisa said more must be done to support police workers across the country, throughout their service and beyond.

It comes after a report commissioned by the charity revealed that around one in five of those who serve with police forces around the UK suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – four to five times the rate seen in the general population.

The organisation currently supports an average of 140 cases per month from across the UK, and have delivered 5,200 counselling sessions.

It also funds therapeutic support where possible, including a pilot intensive two-week residential therapy, available only via force occupational health departments. Of the 18 people who have attended the stay so far, 94 per cent have been able to return to work.

All of those to attend the pilot so far have been diagnosed with complex PTSD, which results from repeated or prolonged trauma as opposed to a single traumatic experience.

Police Care UK supports the police community and their families by offering confidential, free help, with a particular focus on those who have left the service or are at risk of their career being cut short due psychological or physical occupational trauma.

Lisa, who is the national lead for mental health and custody for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), said: “It is perhaps no surprise that police officers and staff are more likely than the average person to suffer problems with mental health.

“As part of their working day, many will repeatedly be dealing with truly nightmarish scenarios, such as car crashes, child abuse and violent crime.

Charity support

“This is also true for police staff, including the call handlers who speak with those who urgently need help and the PCSOs who work so closely with our communities.

“Beyond that, we must also recognise the enormous toll mental health can take on families.

“The wellbeing of those who serve with Surrey Police is of key importance, both to myself and our new Chief Constable Tim De Meyer. We are agreed that a ‘posters and potpourri’ approach to mental health is not appropriate, and we must do everything we can to support those who give so much to Surrey’s residents.

“That’s why I’d urge anyone who is in need to seek help, either within their force through their EAP provision or by contacting Police Care UK. Leaving a police force is no barrier to receiving care and help – the charity will work with anyone who has suffered harm as a result of their policing role.”

Police Care UK is in need of financial support, with donations gratefully welcomed.

‘Truly nightmarish’

Chief Executive Gill Scott-Moore said: “Dealing with mental health issues as they arise can save police forces many hundreds of thousands of pounds every year.

“For example, the cost of an ill-health retirement can reach £100,000, whereas a course of intensive counselling for the affected person is not only far cheaper, but may allow them to return to full-time work.

“Where someone is forced into an early retirement, it can have a huge ongoing impact on their mental health and wellbeing.

“We know that the right support can build resilience to trauma, reduce absences through ill-health and make a real difference to families. Our aim is to raise awareness of the long-term impact and help those who need us the most.”

For more information, or to contact Police Care UK, visit policecare.org.uk