Category: News

The image shows Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, a blonde woman wearing a white shirt, standing in front of a large sign that reads 'Welcome to Surrey Police'. She is looking directly at the camera with a slight smile on her face.

Police force merger plans – complete our brief survey

Posted on | by Nathan Rees

Surrey residents are being invited to share their views about Government proposals to merge police forces in a survey launched today by Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend.

Under plans for police reform announced in January, the Government intends to scrap the current 43 force system in England and Wales and create larger regional forces in their place.

It would likely mean Surrey Police will disappear and be merged with neighbouring forces in Sussex, Thames Valley, Kent and Hampshire to form a regional ‘mega force’ in the south-east.

The Commissioner said she believes the plans would be a disaster for residents in Surrey, resulting in resources being diverted from local communities and neighbourhood policing being diluted in the county.

Although an independent review is being carried out to advise the Government on how to take the plans forward, the public are not being consulted meaning it’s unclear if there is wider support for the merger plans.

Takes a few minutes to complete

The brief survey only takes a few minutes to complete and will be open until Monday 17 August. You can fill it in HERE

PCC Lisa Townsend said: “I make no bones about it – I believe Surrey residents deserve better than this. We are the safest county in the south-east with no city and much lower crime rates than our neighbours.

“I am concerned that a merger with other forces would result in resources being pulled away from our communities to support higher crime areas leaving Surrey with a second-rate service.

“This is my opinion however and I know it may not be shared by everyone.

“But this is really important for the future of policing and although the Government are drawing the plans up, the public are not being consulted.

“I want to ensure the public of Surrey have a voice and that is why I am asking everyone to take a few minutes to fill out my survey and have their say.

“I will publish the results later this summer and share them with those who are making the decisions around force mergers.

“Police reform is absolutely necessary and of course we must continue to modernise. We face increasingly difficult threats from cyber and organised crime and we want to work with the Government to create better ways to tackle issues nationally.

“In my opinion, the creation of regional forces would not only be expensive and complex to deliver, but here in Surrey would result in the dilution of both the service our residents rightly expect and local accountability – particularly in light of the abolition of directly elected PCCs.

“I’m a firm believer that local policing needs to be left to local police forces to deliver. At a time when we need to rebuild public confidence in policing, my view is these merger plans will only distance our policing teams from the communities they serve.”

For further information about the proposals, you can read the Government’s white paper ‘From local to national: a new model for policing’:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/from-local-to-national-a-new-model-for-policing  

Commissioner shines a light on the role of PCSOs and celebrates all officers, staff and volunteers this Neighbourhood Policing Week

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

“Neighbourhood policing is more than a job – it’s a vocation for police officers, staff and volunteers who work hard to keep communities safe and where no two days are ever the same”. That’s according to Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, who has paid tribute to Surrey Police’s Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) to mark the start of this year’s Neighbourhood Policing Week.

Each of Surrey’s boroughs and districts have a SNT that consist of officers and staff who work together to support residents and businesses, in response to retail crime, violence against women and girls, and anti-social behaviour.  Hotspot patrols are also a vital part of neighbourhood policing as they build community engagement and strengthen partnerships.

PCSOs

Police Community Support Officers – or PCSOs – provide an important, visible presence and serve as a key liaison between the public and policing within Surrey’s SNTs. Their fundamental role is to gather information, preserve community safety by reducing conflict, and foster positive relations within neighbourhoods through targeted visible patrols. PCSOs hold designated legal powers of enforcement, although they are not fully warranted police officers.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, recently joined PCSO Huw Keepence and trainee PCSO Isobelle Robinson on patrol in Woking town centre.

Lisa said: “PCSOs provide a valuable uniformed presence within our towns and villages.  Not only do they improve confidence in public safety by developing close working relationships with businesses, community-based organisations and residents, they help to tackle anti-social behaviour and support other ongoing police operations.

‘Strong partnership work’

“It was fantastic to join Huw and Isobelle on patrol and see first-hand the difference they are making. There’s some strong partnership work and engagement happening in Woking, and it was great to look more closely at the security operation around Victoria Place.”

Huw Keepence has been a PCSO in Woking for just over two years.  He said: “I enjoy getting out into the communities that I work in, patrolling the streets and public areas to provide a real visible policing presence and actively engaging in their communities.

“I like being able to speak to people and give them the comfort of knowing that their concerns are being taken seriously and that police are actively dealing with it. It’s fulfilling to be able to help people and quell some of their fears or uncertainties”.

Isobelle Robinson, trainee PCSO, has been with the Force for six months.  She said: “The most exciting part about my job as a PCSO is that every day is a new day. You could be dealing with victims of fraud one day and the next, you’re guarding a crime scene.

“I love my job because it means that I can help those that need it the most. It’s very cliché but it’s true. I thrive on helping people and animals.”

Lisa Townsend said: “Thank you to all the PCSOs and other staff and officers who contribute to Surrey Police’s neighbourhood policing teams. Your hard work, care and dedication provide a lifeline to the communities that you serve.”

PCSO recruitment

PCSOs numbers have increased right across Surrey by almost a quarter in the year ending September 2025.  However, Surrey police recruitment is currently open until 30th June for PCSOs.  Click here for further details: www.surrey.police.uk/police-forces/surrey-police/areas/careers/careers/pcso/

Commissioner helps fellow type 1 diabetic driver during emergency on motorway

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

Hidden behind Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend’s watch strap is a clue about a condition that has had a profound impact on her life since her diagnosis at 9 years old.

It’s a tattoo on her wrist that says ‘diabetic’ – and it’s there in case her blood sugar drops or rises to dangerous levels, rendering her confused, disorientated and potentially unable to take care of herself.

Type 1 diabetics

Most of us produce the hormone insulin, which allows the food we eat to be used for energy, while maintaining a healthy blood sugar level, but for type 1 diabetics the pancreas doesn’t produce any insulin. This means that their blood sugar can rise to severely high levels. A diabetic’s blood sugar levels can also fall dangerously low and the term ‘hypoglycaemia’ is used to describe this condition. When this happens, a diabetic can become dizzy, start to shake, feel weak and tired – this is commonly known as a ‘hypo’.

At its worst, a diabetic emergency can lead to breathing difficulties, unconsciousness and even coma and death.  Most type 1 diabetics are diagnosed with the life-long, autoimmune condition as children or teenagers, but it can be diagnosed at any age.  The only treatment is to replace the insulin in the body that it’s unable to produce via multiple daily injections, or an insulin pump. 

Many of us will be familiar with the more common type 2 diabetes, which accounts for over 90% of all diabetics and is typically diagnosed later in life.  It is often able to be managed by diet alone, or diet and tablets but in some cases will also require injections. 

‘Strike out stigma’ campaign

To mark Diabetes Week 2026 and the ‘Strike Out Stigma’ campaign, the Commissioner wanted to share a story to raise awareness of the condition and support the 80% of diabetics who say that they regularly face negative attitudes from people passing judgement or blaming and shaming those living with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.  

‘Intoxicated driver’

One Saturday night last December, Lisa was on shift with Sergeant Phil Dix from Surrey Police’s Roads Policing Unit when a call came through about an ‘intoxicated driver’ on the M3 near Esher. As they raced to the scene, another call came through to confirm that rather than being drunk, the driver appeared to have suffered a medical incident – possibly as a result of their diabetes. Sgt Dix was able to let teams at the scene know that the Commissioner who has first-hand knowledge of this type of medical emergency was moments away.

Lisa spent time with the driver who was lethargic, confused and barely able to lift their head – all the signs of a diabetic in a low sugar state or ‘hypo’ – and sadly easy to mistake for intoxication. The driver had little idea of where he was and what was going on. He slowly remembered his mobile phone password and an app monitoring their blood sugar confirmed dangerously low levels.

With an ambulance more than an hour away, Lisa was able to share some of her dextrose gummy sweets that she always carries to deliver sugar directly into his system and bring blood sugars back up to a safe level.  The impact of the sweets was rapid and within 15 minutes, the driver was almost recovered. The driver was a type 1 diabetic.  Feeling shaken and delicate, officers drove him safely home.

‘Right place at the right time’

Lisa said: “Having a hypo is frightening. While it may appear that you’re drunk, perhaps slurring slightly or shaking, it certainly doesn’t feel that way.

“I was so pleased to have been able to help that driver in need and be in the right place at the right time.

“Having diabetes can still catch me off guard.  I could do exactly the same thing for seven days in a row, and on the seventh day, for seemingly no reason at all, I can have a hypo.

“Advances in medicine have made life easier for diabetics. However, I support this year’s campaign to cut the stigma of diabetes by raising awareness to a condition that can prompt negative judgements and commentary.”

Essential advice

Diabetes UK has some essential advice for diabetic drivers, and you can find out everything you need to know here.  They also have a handy ‘hypo’ checklist for motorists.  For Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, the advice is:

  • Stay safe by taking breaks
  • Know the symptoms of a ‘hypo’ and keep treatments where they can easily be reached in the car.
  • Check blood glucose levels before setting off and every two hours on long journeys and ensure that blood sugar levels are at 5mmol/l or above before driving.
  • Eat some carbohydrates if blood sugar levels drop below 5mmol/l.
  • If you start to have a hypo while driving, find somewhere safe to stop immediately, switch off the engine, and take fast-acting carbs. Don’t drive again for 45 minutes after your blood sugar has gone back to normal.

Commissioner advocates phone-free schools to safeguard children from online harm and reduce anti-social behaviour

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend is supporting the approach to make phone-free schools the default. This follows the Commissioner’s visit to The Winston Churchill School in Woking that has introduced a self-funded scheme where secure lockable pouches for student phones are standard practice.

The 1500 students at the mixed secondary school for 11- to 16-year-olds keep their phones with them, secured in a Yondr pouch, which is locked on arrival and unlocked at the end of the school day, by tapping the pouch on an unlocking base.

Clear physical boundary

This creates a clear physical boundary that removes distraction without requiring constant enforcement by staff.

Lisa watched students taking responsibility for performing the ‘pouching up’ process at the start of the school day and spoke with members of the Senior Leadership Team and School Council students about the positive impact on learning outcomes, behaviour and student wellbeing.

On June 29th, the use of mobile phones in state schools in England will transition from non-statutory guidance to a mandatory legal requirement under the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026.

“Diverting attention”

Lisa said: “We have understood for a while that mobile phones in schools disrupt learning by diverting attention, increasing anxiety and generating peer conflict.

“Most schools have an advised mobile phone policy but are challenged with the day-to- day enforcement.  This scheme at The Winston Churchill School puts paid to that in a slick and simple way.”

James French, deputy headteacher at The Winston Churchill School said: “As a result of the scheme, we have seen more than a 50% reduction in phone related behaviour incidents throughout the school.

 “Children have told us they feel more confident in the school without fear of being filmed or humiliated and relationships between students have improved and strengthened.  Teachers report that students are more focused, and more lesson time is spent on learning without the distraction of mobile phones.  It has been transformational.”

Positive step

Lisa adds: “The group of students that I met unanimously agreed that the mandatory phone pouch policy at school was a positive step and the right way forward.

“Implementing a clear policy to prohibit the use of mobile phones throughout the school day including lunch and break times significantly reduces cyberbullying and online harm cases that can escalate to police involvement. 

“Other schools adopting the scheme have reported up to an 80% decrease in safeguarding incidents after going phone-free.

“Phone thefts and low-level incidents of anti-social behaviour are significantly reduced. A calmer, more focused school environment leads to a marked improvement in peer relationships and a more harmonious and productive school culture.   

“This adds up to a wider, more joined-up preventative approach that steers young people away from crime.”

New policing structure in Surrey is bedding in, says Commissioner

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

It’s business as usual for our policing teams in Surrey. That’s the message from Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend after a new policing structure for the county went live in the last month.

The Force announced that following a review of how it operates in communities across Surrey – it is moving from having three divisions in the county to two.

Previously – Waverley, Guildford, Woking and Surrey Heath made up West Surrey; East Surrey covered Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead, Tandridge and Epsom and Ewell and in North Surrey you had Spelthorne, Runnymede and Elmbridge.

Under the new model – Spelthorne and Runnymede will now become part of the West Surrey division while Elmbridge will join the Eastern Division.

Business as usual

The Commissioner said that whilst the move had been the culmination of a lot of hard work behind the scenes – the most important aspect is that the service the residents of Surrey receive is the same.

Lisa said: “All the work that has gone into the planning of this model is to ensure it will be business as usual for our policing teams. Their presence across the county will continue as normal and our communities should not notice any difference.

“This move is not about cutting costs or reducing the number of police officers in the county – on the contrary, Surrey Police has got more police officers in its ranks than ever before and that will not change.

“What this will do is enable Surrey Police to modernise its practices and ensure we have the right people in the right places to meet the increased demand and complexities of policing in 2026 and beyond.

Two unitary authority model

“It will also mean the Force structure will be more closely aligned with the two unitary authority model which the people of Surrey went to the polls on earlier this month. That will come into effect in 2027 and will mean our policing teams can continue to work closely with our partner agencies across Surrey. 

“The new model is bedding in at the moment and I will be closely monitoring its progress to ensure the Surrey public continue to receive the best policing service our teams can offer which will continue to make our communities right across Surrey safer.” 

Commissioner praises fight against rogue traders in Surrey after joint operation

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has hailed the fight against rogue traders in Surrey after joining a special operation targeting criminals entering the county.

Stop checks were carried out on 34 trade vehicles during the day of action close to the M25 at Godstone.

Police teams were joined by partners from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards, the Environment Agency and Tandridge District Council.

Stolen goods

They helped determine whether there are any insurance, driver licence, operating licence or motor offences, checked for any stolen goods or metals on board vehicles and also for any signs of modern slavery or immigration offences.

Two vehicles were seized, six traffic offence reports made and eight fixed penalty notices were issued with fines totalling over £1,000. One vehicle was reported for having no tax while six prohibition notices were also issued.

Half of those vehicles checked were subject to enforcement or words of advice concerning being overweight, insecure loads and mobile phone usage. 

The operation was arranged by Surrey’s Serious Organised Crime Partnership, chaired by the PCC, which helps co-ordinate the approach to tackling the issue of rogue trading in Surrey.

‘Doorstep crime’

Residents in the UK lose over £400m a year to ‘doorstep crime’ where they are pressured into paying huge sums of money for work to their homes that is either not needed or is vastly overcharged. The true figure is likely to be much higher.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “Rogue traders who target vulnerable people in their own homes are the lowest of the low. It is one of the most cruel and despicable crimes police have to deal with.

“In the most extreme cases, victims have been known to lose their life savings and even their homes. Here in Surrey – our police teams and partner agencies are fighting back.

“Organised criminal gangs”

“Much of this type of offending is perpetrated by organised criminal gangs who we know are crossing county borders in search of victims.

“So it was fantastic to join the operation at Godstone and see first-hand the sort of action that is being taken to disrupt the organised criminality that lies behind it.

“It is a great example of how police and other agencies can come together to work in partnership to crackdown on criminals coming into Surrey and help protect some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.”

Commissioner explores ‘what lies beneath’ to commemorate Surrey Day

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, has visited the police station front counter in Epsom where a Surrey resident recently handed in an unexploded mortar shell.

On the morning of March 30, 2026, the unexploded ordnance was brought into Epsom Town Hall for disposal, prompting a mass evacuation and police safety cordon within a 100-metre radius.

Officers with the support of Surrey Fire and Rescue crews evacuated Epsom and Ewell council offices, nearby hotel, businesses and surrounding homes. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal team (EOD) was alerted and bomb disposal experts came to safely take the mortar shell to Epsom Downs for a controlled explosion.

The Commissioner’s visit was prompted by this year’s Surrey Day which is being celebrated today (Saturday May 9, 2026) with events and gatherings all over the county.  The theme of this year’s Surrey Day is ‘what lies beneath’ or ‘underground Surrey’.

Lisa has used this opportunity to further explore Surrey Police’s history as she continues to mark the Force’s 175th anniversary throughout the year.

Lisa said: “Since the end of the Second World War, Surrey Police has been called to assess hundreds of unexploded ordnances. 

“In Surrey alone, there were more than three thousand bombing incidents during World War II.  Not all ammunition would have exploded, and so there are still ordnances that are undiscovered or remain obscured underground throughout the county. 

“In 2025, EOD from Aldershot Troop responded to 86 call outs for the disposal of suspected ordnances in Surrey and Hampshire.

“The priority for Surrey Police is public safety. If you come across a potential suspicious looking ordnance, the advice is to not touch it and call 999 immediately.”

Commissioner says Force is heading in right direction following inspection report

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said she believes Surrey Police is on the right trajectory after an inspection report for the Force was published today.

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire Services (HMICFRS) found that the Force had maintained its good record in crime prevention, problem solving and neighbourhood policing whilst vastly improving its 999 and 101 call response.

The report did highlight areas for improvement which the Commissioner said she was confident the Force had already put plans in place to address.

Inspectors visited Surrey Police during August last year to carry out their Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy (PEEL) review which formed the basis for today’s report.

Fastest improving Force

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “This report reflects the first two years of the Chief Constable’s five-year plan and I firmly believe the Force is heading in the right direction.

“Surrey Police has been focusing on what residents tell me are most important to them and what policing does best – fighting crime in our local communities, getting tough on offenders and protecting people.  

“They have been one of the fastest improving forces in the country – burglary and vehicle crime rates are falling, police teams are cracking down on anti-social behaviour and shoplifting charges have risen by well over 400%.

More crimes solved

“The number of charges across the board has more than doubled while 40 per cent more crimes have been solved.

“I am pleased to see today’s report has recognised that the Force has maintained its good record in crime prevention, problem solving and that visible neighbourhood policing which I know is so important to our residents.

“In the last PEEL inspection, concerns were raised about Surrey Police’s contact with the public, in particular the length of time it took for 101 and 999 calls to be answered.

“So I am delighted to see that HMICFRS have recognised the transformation that has taken place in this area which has seen dramatic progress in the Force’s performance.

“There is always room for improvement of course and I welcome the scrutiny from inspectors whilst taking into account that the HMICFRS PEEL review is a snapshot in time and only one aspect of the police governance landscape in Surrey.

Change is underway

“There is a huge amount of change underway within Surrey Police at present and issues highlighted around leadership centred on the need for the Force to communicate its decisions and reasons for change more clearly which is being addressed.

“The report also highlighted investigating crime as an area that requires improvement. It is important to note that the concerns relate to how crime is recorded and the need to issue more adult cautions and community resolutions.

“There are still areas in which Surrey Police must do better, but I share the optimism of inspectors that plans are already well underway to address those areas highlighted as requiring improvement.”

The image shows Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, a blonde woman who is wearing a white top, looking directly into the camera. Behind her is a backdrop which reads, 'Welcome to Surrey Police.'

Commissioner thanks local community in Epsom after rape investigation is closed

Posted on | by Nathan Rees

The Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has thanked the local community in Epsom for their patience and understanding after Surrey Police announced they had closed their investigation into a report of a rape in the town.

The Force said last night that following a thorough investigation they were confident that there was no offence and there were no suspects after a confused report was given by a woman who had suffered an accidental head injury during a night out on April 11.

Lisa said: “The last two weeks have been extremely challenging for the local community in Epsom and I would like to thank them for their patience and understanding. I hope the update from Surrey Police last night provides the reassurance the public have been seeking around the circumstances of this case.

“I have been kept updated by senior officers throughout and I know how extensive the enquiries have been to establish the full facts of what happened.

“This has included piecing together CCTV, gathering witness statements and obtaining forensic evidence that was crucial to understanding the sequence of events. All of this takes time and must be completed. diligently as the public would rightly expect. 

The image shows Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, a blonde woman wearing a white shirt, standing in front of a large sign that reads 'Welcome to Surrey Police'. She is looking directly at the camera with a slight smile on her face.

“I know much has been said about the information police have put into the public domain as this case progressed and there are of course always lessons to be learnt.

“As I am sure people will appreciate, as the evidence began to point in a certain direction, it would not have been appropriate to provide a running commentary on the investigation at such a delicate stage until all enquiries had been completed and the conclusion reached.

“Sadly, this situation was exploited by some who used legitimate concerns local residents may have had around the safety of women and girls in our communities to push a far more sinister narrative.

“Instead of exercising some degree of patience and restraint and letting the police do their job to establish the facts, we had numerous social media commentators, politicians and ‘experts’ lining up to give their theories on a case they had limited knowledge of. Many of them quite frankly should know better. 

“There were some accusations that Surrey Police were withholding descriptions or CCTV images due to the ethnicity of the suspects which were plain wrong. If it were true – as Police and Crime Commissioner for this county I would have been the first to shout about this.

“This speculation and misinformation were the pre-cursor to the appalling scenes of disorder we witnessed in the town earlier and I know that the police investigation into that is continuing.

“The safety of women and girls in all our communities in Surrey has always been one of my key priorities as Commissioner and something I will continue to advocate for during the rest of my tenure. The seriousness with which Surrey Police treated this allegation demonstrates that they share that commitment.”

Happy 175th anniversary Surrey Police!

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, is celebrating the 175th anniversary of Surrey Police with a series of special features and pictures on the history of the Force.

The Commissioner will be delving into the archives to highlight some of the key moments spanning nearly two centuries since Surrey Police was created which will be featured on the PCC’s website and social media channels.

Lisa Townsend holding a picture of PC Charles Carpenter – one of the earliest images of a Surrey Constabulary officer taken in 1857

Founded on January 1st, 1851, Surrey Police was originally named Surrey Constabulary until 1993 and originated with only seventy police officers and five superintendents. 

Over the decades, the evolution of a single unitary Force has developed whilst encountering growth, divide, mergers, re-structuring and boundary changes.

Murder of a clergyman

The establishment of Surrey Constabulary in 1851 came at a time of rising fear in the county where a group of violent criminals known as the ‘Isaacs Gang’ terrorised the areas of Surrey and Sussex throughout the 1840s. 

The murder of clergyman, Reverand Hollest at his home in Frimley in 1850 caused significant public alarm and has been viewed as the catalyst in bringing together formal organised policing in the county.



Adversity, courage and humanity

Lisa Townsend says: “I’m fascinated by the history of the Force and plan to share stories in which Surrey police have pioneered, alongside policing tales of adversity, courage and humanity.

“A great believer that ‘a picture tells a thousand words’, I’m going to post a ‘policing picture of the week’ over the next few months that’s been carefully selected from the archives. 

“My first image is of PC Charles Carpenter that was taken in 1857 and is one of the first known photographs of a serving Surrey Constabulary officer. 

“Blinded in one eye after being hit by a stone on the job, PC Carpenter served the villagers of Clandon and would have earnt a weekly wage of around 18 shillings, or 12p in today’s money.

A proud history

“The history of the Force is both fascinating and enriching.  As the new year beckons, I want to say a huge thank you to all Surrey police officers and staff – both former and current – for their dedication and resolve.

“Without them, there wouldn’t be a history to be proud of”.

Today, Surrey Police has a workforce of around 4,000 officers and staff, serving 1.2 million residents of Surrey and an area of 642 square miles.

Find out more on our new dedicated webpage, which you can find here.