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.”
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.
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 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.
“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.”
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.
The development of a new Eastern Divisional Headquarters for Surrey Police in Leatherhead has been given the go-ahead.
The plans for the site on Cleeve Road were considered at a meeting of the Mole Valley District Council Planning Committee on Wednesday 5 November.
The Committee approved resolution to grant planning permission, subject to legal agreements, for the development on land currently owned by the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Since the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in the construction of Reigate Police Station in 2023, Surrey Police’s Eastern Divisional HQ has been temporarily based at Wray Park in Reigate.
The plans also include an adjacent residential development which includes 40 new affordable homes. Back in November 2024, the Force held a public consultation event in Leatherhead and there are now additional legal stages to go through before construction begins.
During construction, the Force have committed to taking all the appropriate steps to minimise any disruption to neighbours or the local community and further updates will be provided as the project progresses.
The new Divisional HQ will form part of the overall transformation of the Surrey Police Estate and the PCC has committed to ensuring that the project delivers value for money, investing in long-term solutions that are sustainable and environmentally friendly.
“The most important factor for me has always been that we provide long-term value for money for our residents which I believe the Leatherhead project will deliver.
“There are now some additional legal stages to go through before we can take the initial steps towards redevelopment, which is an important part of the process.
“But this decision means we can move forward with our plans to provide an even better policing service for our communities in East Surrey.”
A series of disruption and engagement days have taken place across the county to tackle serious organised crime and raise awareness of rogue trading, fraud and scams.
The events, organised by the Surrey Organised Crime (SOC) Partnership, included action days which resulted in a series of arrests, as well as engagement stands in Mole Valley, Runnymede and Waverley.
Surrey’s Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Ellie Vesey-Thompson, joined the engagement stand where advice was shared with members of the public.
Elsewhere, roads policing teams and partners including the Driving Vehicle Standards Agency carried out checks on the A24 in Dorking, Hardwick Lane in Chertsey, and the B2130 Godalming to Cranleigh road.
Seven arrests
The teams conducted stop checks on commercial vehicles and the waste carriage industry.
Across the three locations, 96 vehicles were stopped, with 10 vehicles being seized and seven arrests made for drug driving.
One vehicle was found to be overloaded in excess of two tonnes and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) checked 62 fuel samples.
More than 600 people in Dorking, Chertsey and Farnham also visited stands run by Surrey Police’s Safer Communities Teams and the Economic Crimes Unit, Trading Standards, Crimestoppers and Age UK.
Advice given
Advice was given about doorstep rogue trading, financial abuse, investment fraud and romance scams.
Ellie said: “The brilliant results achieved across these six days of action are testament to the strong collaboration between partners to tackle fraud and support residents”.
“Proactive engagement not only disrupts criminal enterprises on the ground but also works to protect Surrey residents and businesses for the future.
“Over half of crime committed in Surrey is fraud – it is this country’s fastest growing type of crime, with almost half of all adults being targeted, and perpetrators are using increasingly clever methods to target victims.
“A clear message”
“The partnership work including these events are a clear message to serious organised crime networks that we are working to disrupt activity, protect vulnerable people and make our communities safer.”
Lee Ormandy, chair of the Surrey SOC Partnership Board, said: “We will continue to bring together the expertise and resources of various agencies, enabling an effective and comprehensive approach to tackling SOC and protecting vulnerable individuals and businesses.
“By working together, we achieve outcomes that would be difficult or impossible for individual agencies to achieve alone.”
How to keep safe online and by phone:
Always question and verify unsolicited calls, texts or emails requesting your personal or financial information such as name, address or bank details. Contact the company directly using a known email or phone number before sharing any personal or sensitive information.
Install up-to-date anti-virus software and a firewall on your computer. Ensure your browser is set to the highest level of security.
Do not click on links in unexpected emails and text messages, even if they look genuine. Banks and financial institutions will not send you an email asking you to click on a link and confirm your bank details. Call your bank instead using a known phone number or email or use a phone number from a genuine piece of correspondence or the back of your bank card.
Use Verified by Visa or MasterCard Secure Code whenever you are given the option while shopping online. This involves you registering a password with your card company and adds an additional layer of security to online transactions with signed-up retailers.
Check your credit file regularly through companies such as Callcredit, Equifax and Experian, and look for any suspicious entries you don’t recognise.
How to keep safe from rogue traders:
Try to avoid talking to unexpected ‘tradespeople’ at your door as it is unusual that legitimate tradespeople will cold call you.
If possible, get quotes for work from at least three different companies.
Check that the trader is registered with an accredited trade body and an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme.
Avoid paying for work at your doorstep and do not go to a cash machine if asked to by a trader.
Remember that even if you sign a contract, you are legally entitled to a 14-day cancellation period.
Make sure to report any rogue traders and scams to Trading Standards.
Report all incidents of doorstep crime to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 or to the police on 101.
An 18-month campaign has driven down anti-social behaviour (ASB) at weekends in Guildford through extra police patrols, adverts during the Six Nations – and classical music in takeaways.
Youth-based ASB at weekends has dropped dramatically thanks to increased visibility of Surrey Police officers on Sundays and a series of initiatives – including ads played during rugby matches and joint work with Guildford Borough Council, Experience Guildford and local businesses, such as fast-food outlets and shops.
One of the initiatives has been playing classical music at restaurants like McDonald’s and covering power outlets to discourage loitering.
Successes in Guildford
Crime in the town’s ASB hotspots has reduced and an improved police presence has meant greater reassurance for people who visit Guildford.
Statistics gathered from Sunday-focused ASB operations show the number of recorded violent crime and public order offences related to weekend youth anti-social behaviour and crime has dropped by over 75 per cent in the past 18 months.
The funding has boosted police officer and street marshal patrols within the town centre and visits to local business, including offering reminders to vape shop owners of their responsibilities to young customers.
Youth engagement remains an ongoing commitment to help break down barriers with young people. While plain-clothed behavioural detection officers patrol stores looking for signs of suspicious behaviour, alerting uniformed colleagues to potential crime.
Dispersal orders have been utilised within the town centre, meaning those causing trouble or behaving in a rowdy, inconsiderate way could be asked to leave the area, and arrested if they return within 48 hours.
A media campaign warning that ASB is not welcome in Guildford has also been screened on ITV, in the Friary Centre and at transport hubs, including the train station and bus stops. The campaign has been viewed more than 10 million times on Snapchat, targeting teenage audiences.
The Safer Streets Fund will not continue into this financial year, but the Commissioner Lisa Townsend said the Force’s determination to deal with offenders has not changed. There will continue to be a visible police officer presence in Guildford at weekends.
Commissioner’s pride
“I know that ASB, criminal damage and substance misuse are key concerns for residents and businesses in Guildford,” the Commissioner said. “Through the Safer Streets Fund, we have acted.
“Across Surrey, we have seen the difference that funding – properly directed by those with real local knowledge – can make to our communities.
“While my office submitted the proposal for Safer Streets, it has been a real team effort, and I’d like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to make such a success of this initiative. I am very proud to see how, creatively, this funding has been used to make such an impact in Surrey.”
“Ongoing priority”
Guildford Borough Commander, Inspector Blaine Rafferty said: “The Guildford Safer Streets project has seen us work closely with local partners and businesses over the past 18 months.
“New measures have been rolled out to help tackle ASB in the town centre and the feedback we have received so far is that people who visit Guildford feel safe and reassured seeing uniformed officers out and about.
“We don’t want to discourage young people from coming into Guildford, but it’s important that we communicate the level of acceptable behaviour that is expected.
“Tackling issues like ASB and retail crime remain ongoing priorities for us, and having officers patrolling the streets means we’re here and ready to address any issues as they arise.
“I’m delighted that our partnership work has made an impact in helping to create a safe and enjoyable environment for all, and the Home Office funding has been vital in allowing us to make improvements.”
Visible presence
Lead Councillor for Regulatory and Democratic Services, Councillor Merel Rehorst-Smith, said: “Funding from the Safer Streets initiative allowed us to increase resources in Guildford town centre at weekends to address a growing trend in ASB by young people.
“In partnership with the police, town centre marshals offered a reassuring visible presence as well as engaging with those acting in an anti-social manner.
“The project coincided with a review of the town centre Public Spaces Protection Order, designed to communicate that those behaviours are not acceptable in Guildford. It’s important to us that Guildford town centre is a pleasant place to live, work and do business.”
Pete Lambert, Town Safety and Venue Liaison Manager at Experience Guildford, said: “We have been extremely proud to support the partnership work that has taken place since this project started through Guildford Safer Streets funding.
“There has been a great response to tackling ASB concerns in Guildford town centre and the results are clear to see, with confidence from the business community being restored.”
SURREY’S Police and Crime Commissioner has been visiting communities around the county to discuss the policing issues that matter most to residents.
Lisa Townsend regularly speaks at meetings in Surrey’s towns and villages, and in the past fortnight has addressed packed halls in Thorpe, alongside Runneymede’s Borough Commander James Wyatt, Horley, where she was joined by Borough Commander Alex Maguire, and Lower Sunbury, which was also attended by Sergeant Matthew Rogers.
This week, she will speak at the Merstham Community Hub in Redhill on Wednesday, March 1 between 6pm and 7pm.
Her Deputy, Ellie Vesey-Thompson, will address Long Ditton residents at the Surbiton Hockey Club between 7pm and 8pm on the same day.
On March 7, both Lisa and Ellie will speak to residents in Cobham, and a further meeting is set to take place in Pooley Green, Egham on March 15.
Lisa said: “Speaking with Surrey residents about the issues that most concern them is one of the most important roles to be tasked to me when I was elected as Commissioner.
Time is running out for Surrey residents to have their say on how much they’re prepared to pay to support policing teams in their communities over the coming year.
Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has urged everyone living in the county to share their views on her council tax survey for 2023/24 at https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/counciltax2023/
The poll will close at 12noon on this Monday, January 16. Residents are being asked if they’d support a small increase of up to £1.25 a month in council tax so policing levels can be sustained in Surrey.
One of Lisa’s key responsibilities is to set the overall budget for the Force. This includes determining the level of council tax specifically raised for policing in the county, which is known as the precept.
Three options are available in the survey – an extra £15 a year on an average council tax bill, which would help Surrey Police maintain its current position and look to improve services, between £10 and £15 extra a year, which will allow the Force to keep its head above water, or less than £10, which would likely mean a reduction in service to communities.
The Force is funded by both the precept and a grant from central government.
This year, Home Office funding will be based on the expectation that Commissioners around the country will increase the precept by an extra £15 a year.
Lisa said: “We’ve already had a good response to the survey, and I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to have their say.
“I’d also like to encourage anyone who hasn’t yet had time to quickly do so. It takes just a minute or two, and I’d love to know your thoughts.
‘Good news stories’
“Asking residents for more money this year has been an extremely difficult decision.
“I am well aware that the cost of living crisis is impacting every household in the county. But with inflation continuing to rise, a council tax increase will be necessary just to allow Surrey Police to maintain its current position. Over the next four years, the Force must find £21.5million in savings.
“There are many good news stories to tell. Surrey is one of the safest places to live in the country, and progress is being made in areas of concern for our residents, including the number of burglaries that are being solved.
“We are also on track to recruit almost 100 new officers as part of the government’s national uplift programme, meaning more than 450 extra officers and operational staff will have been brought into the Force since 2019.
“However, I don’t want to risk taking a step backwards in the services we provide. I spend much of my time consulting with residents and hearing about the issues that matter most to them, and I’d now ask the Surrey public for their continued support.”
Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner visited the county’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre on Friday as she reaffirmed her commitment to tackling violence against women and girls.
Lisa Townsend spoke with nurses and crisis workers during a tour of The Solace Centre, which works with up to 40 survivors every month.
She was shown rooms specifically designed to support children and young people who have suffered sexual violence, as well as a sterile unit where DNA samples are taken and stored for up to two years.
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner works with the Sexual Assault and Exploitation Board to fund services used by The Solace Centre, including Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre and the Surrey and Borders Partnership.
She said: “Convictions for sexual violence in Surrey and the wider UK are shockingly low – fewer than four per cent of survivors will see their abuser convicted.
“That is something that has to change, and in Surrey, the Force is dedicated to bringing many more of these criminals to justice.
“However, those who aren’t ready to disclose offences to the police can still access all of The Solace Centre’s services, even if they book anonymously.
‘DON’T SUFFER IN SILENCE’
“Those who work at the SARC are on the frontlines of this terrible battle, and I’d like to thank them for everything they do to support survivors.
“I would urge anyone suffering in silence to come forward. They’ll find help and kindness, both from our officers in Surrey if they do decide to speak to the police, and from the team here at the SARC.
“We will always treat this crime with the utmost seriousness it deserves. Men, women and children who are suffering are not alone.”
The SARC is funded by Surrey Police and NHS England.
Detective Chief Inspector Adam Tatton, from the Force’s Sexual Offences Investigation Team, said: “We are deeply committed to getting justice for victims of rape and sexual violence whilst recognising how difficult it can be for victims to come forward.
“If you have been the victim of rape or sexual violence, please contact us. We have dedicated trained officers, including Sexual Offence Liaison Officers, to support you throughout the investigative process. If you aren’t ready to speak to us, the incredible staff at the SARC are also there to help you.”
Vanessa Fowler, deputy director of specialised mental health, learning disability/ASD and health and justice at NHS England, said: “NHS England commissioners enjoyed the opportunity to meet Dominic Raab on Friday and to reconfirm their close working relationship with Lisa Townsend and her team.”
Last week, Rape Crisis England and Wales launched a 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line, which is available to anyone aged 16 and over who has been affected by any kind of sexual violence, abuse or harassment at any time in their life.
Mr Raab said: “I’m proud to support Surrey SARC and encourage the survivors of sexual assault and abuse to make full use of the services they are offering locally.
MOVING VISIT
“Their local programs will be reinformed by the national 24/7 Support Line for victims that, as Justice Secretary, I launched this week with Rape Crisis.
“That will provide victims with vital information and support whenever they need it, and give them the confidence in the criminal justice system that they need to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.”
The SARC is available free of charge for all survivors of sexual assault regardless of their age and when the abuse took place. Individuals can choose whether they wish to pursue a prosecution or not. To book an appointment, call 0300 130 3038 or email surrey.sarc@nhs.net
The Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre is available on 01483 452900.
