Category: Performance and Accountability

female police officer in hat in foreground of a photo of new police officers standing to attention at the Surrey Police headquarters

Commissioner welcomes introduction of non-degree entry route for Surrey Police officers

Posted on | by James Smith

The Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said Surrey Police will be able to attract the very best recruits from a wider range of backgrounds after it was announced today a non-degree entry route will be introduced for those looking to join the Force.

The Chief Constables of Surrey Police and Sussex Police have jointly agreed to introduce a non-degree route for new police officers ahead of a national scheme being launched.

It is hoped the move will open up a career in policing to more candidates and to candidates of more diverse backgrounds. The scheme is open immediately for applicants.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “I have always been clear in my view that you do not need a degree to be an outstanding police officer. So, I am delighted to see the introduction of a non-degree route into Surrey Police which will mean we can attract the very best people from a wider range of backgrounds.

“A career in policing offers so much and can be enormously varied. One size does not fit all, so nor should the entry requirements.

“It is important of course that we equip our police officers with the right knowledge and understanding of their powers to protect the public. But I believe those key skills to becoming an excellent police officer such as communication, empathy and patience are not taught in the classroom.

“The degree route will be the best option for some but if we truly want to represent the communities we serve, I believe is it crucial we offer different pathways into policing.

“I believe this decision opens up much greater choices for those wishing to pursue a policing career and will ultimately mean Surrey Police can provide an even better service for our residents.”

The new scheme will be called the Initial Police Learning and Development Programme (IPLDP+) and is designed for applicants with or without a degree. The programme will provide recruits with a blend of practical ‘on-the-job’ experience, and classroom-based learning equipping them with the skills and experience needed to meet the demands of modern policing.

While the route does not lead to a formal qualification, it will remain a requirement to achieve operational competence by the end of this period.

Student officers currently studying for a degree have the option to the transfer to the non-degree route if they feel, in consultation with the Force’s training team, that it’s the best option for them. Surrey Police will introduce this as an interim route for new recruits until a national scheme is established.

Speaking about the IPLDP+ programme, Chief Constable Tim De Meyer said: “To offer choice in how to enter policing is so important, if we are to ensure that we are inclusive and can compete in the employment market for the very best people to serve alongside us. I know that many will join me in wholeheartedly supporting this change.”

Surrey Police is open to recruitment for police officers and a range of other roles. Further information can be found at www.surrey.police.uk/careers and future police officers can apply for the new scheme here.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend with Chief Constable Tim De Meyer

Commissioner welcomes new Chief Constable on his first day in post

Posted on | by Nathan Rees

The Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has today welcomed Tim De Meyer into his role as the new Chief Constable for Surrey Police.

The Commissioner was at the Force Headquarters in Guildford this morning to greet the incoming Chief on his first day and said she was looking forward to working closely with him in the weeks and months ahead.

Tim joined one of the policing teams in Guildford for a shift this morning before he was later officially sworn in at a brief attestation ceremony.

He was selected as the Commissioner’s preferred candidate for the post following a thorough selection process that was carried out in January. The appointment was approved by the county’s Police and Crime Panel later that same month.

Tim began his police career with the Metropolitan Police Service in 1997 and joined Thames Valley Police in 2008.

In 2012, he was promoted to Chief Superintendent for Neighbourhood Policing and Partnership before becoming Head of Professional Standards in 2014. He was promoted to Assistant Chief Constable for Crime and Criminal Justice in 2017 and moved to Local Policing in 2022.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “I am delighted to welcome Tim to Surrey Police and I believe he will be an inspirational and committed leader who will guide the Force into an exciting new chapter.

“Tim brings with him a wealth of experience from a varied policing career across two different forces and will no doubt provide a fresh perspective to policing in Surrey. I am really looking forward to working with him on addressing the key priorities in my Police and Crime Plan and creating a strong vision for the future of the Force.

Attestation of new Chief Constable of Surrey Police Tim De Meyer standing alongside Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend

“There is much hard work to do and it has been a difficult time for policing nationally. But I know Tim has been raring to get going and is relishing the challenges that lie ahead.

“I know Tim shares my passion in making Surrey the safest place it can be for our residents so I look forward to supporting him in tackling those issues which matter most to our local communities.”

Chief Constable Tim De Meyer said: “It is an honour to become the Chief Constable of Surrey Police. This position carries great responsibility and it is my privilege to serve Surrey’s communities alongside our Force’s excellent officers, staff, and volunteers.  

“I am grateful to everyone for making me feel so welcome and we will continue to work hard together to fight crime and protect the public.

“I look forward to working with the Police and Crime Commissioner and with our many partners to ensure that Surrey remains a safe county.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend stands outside the reception of the Surrey Police Headquarters near Guildford

Commissioner launches dedicated Data Hub – where you can see the information she uses to hold Surrey’s Chief to account

Posted on | by James Smith

Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend has become the first to launch a dedicated online Data Hub containing rolling updates on Surrey Police performance.

The Hub gives Surrey residents access to a wide range of monthly data on local policing performance and the work of her office, including the crucial funding that is provided to local organisations to support community safety, help victims, and tackle the cycle of offending.

The platform features more information than was previously made available from public performance meetings held each quarter with the Chief Constable, with more regular updates that make it easier to see longer term progress and changes in the outcomes of Surrey Police.

Members of the public can access the data hub now at https://data.surrey-pcc.gov.uk 

It includes information on emergency and non-emergency response times and the outcomes against specific crime types including burglary, domestic abuse and road safety offences. It also provides more information on Surrey Police’s budget and staffing – such as progress towards the recruitment of over 450 extra police officers and staff since 2019. Where possible, the platform provides national comparisons to put the data in context.

The current data shows a significant reduction in serial domestic abusers since January 2021, and recent increases in the solved rate for residential burglaries and vehicle crime.

It also provides a unique insight into the varied role of the Commissioner and her team based at the Force’s HQ in Guildford. It shows how many people contact the Commissioner each month, how many complaint outcomes from Surrey Police are independently reviewed by her office, and the number of random visits that are carried out by Independent Custody Visiting volunteers.

The Data Hub also shows how the Commissioner’s investment in local victim support services and community safety initiatives has almost doubled in the last three years – to over £4m in 2022.

“As the bridge between the public and Surrey Police, it is really important that I give individuals access to a full picture of how the Force is performing”


Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said the new Hub will strengthen the relationships between Surrey Police and Surrey residents – a key focus of her Police and Crime Plan for the county: “When I became Commissioner, I made a commitment to not only represent but to enhance the voice of Surrey residents on the policing service they receive.

“As the bridge between the public and Surrey Police, it is really important that I give individuals access to a full picture of how the Force is performing over time, and that individuals can clearly see what is happening in those areas they told me were most important.

“Surrey remains the fourth safest county in England and Wales. The number of burglaries being solved is on the increase, a huge focus has been put into reducing violence against women and girls and the Force received an outstanding rating from our inspectors on preventing crime.

“But we’ve seen increasing scrutiny on policing in the last couple of years and is right that my office continues to work with the Force to show that we are maintaining the high standard of policing that residents deserve. This includes embracing challenges to do better, and this is something that will remain at the top of my agenda as I continue discussions with Surrey’s new Chief Constable in the spring.”

Questions about the performance of Surrey Police can be sent to the Commissioner’s office using the contact page on her website.

More information about funding provided by the Commissioner can be found here.

Chief Constable of Surrey Police Tim De Meyer

Commissioner announces preferred candidate for Chief Constable of Surrey Police

Posted on | by James Smith

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend has today announced that Tim De Meyer is her preferred candidate for the role of Chief Constable of Surrey Police.

Tim is currently an Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) with Thames Valley Police and his appointment will now be subject to a confirmation hearing by Surrey’s Police and Crime Panel later this month.

Tim began his police career with the Metropolitan Police Service in 1997 and joined Thames Valley Police in 2008.

In 2012, he was promoted to Chief Superintendent for Neighbourhood Policing and Partnership before becoming Head of Professional Standards in 2014. He was promoted to Assistant Chief Constable for Crime and Criminal Justice in 2017 and moved to Local Policing in 2022.

Preferred Candidate for Chief Constable Tim De Meyer
Tim De Meyer who has been selected as the Commissioner’s preferred candidate for the new Chief Constable of Surrey Police


If his appointment is confirmed, he will replace the outgoing Chief Constable Gavin Stephens who is set to depart the Force in April this year after successfully being elected as the next head of the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC).

Tim’s suitability for the role was tested during a thorough assessment day which included questioning from some of Surrey Police’s key stakeholders and being interviewed by an appointments panel chaired by the Commissioner.

The Police and Crime Panel will meet to review the proposed appointment on Tuesday 17 January at County Hall in Woodhatch.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “Selecting a Chief Constable for this great county is one of the most important responsibilities of my role as Commissioner.

“Having seen the passion, experience and professionalism Tim demonstrated during the selection process, I have every confidence he will be an outstanding leader who will guide Surrey Police into an exciting future ahead.

“I am delighted to offer the post of Chief Constable to him and I look forward to the Panel members hearing his vision for the Force at the upcoming confirmation hearing.”

ACC Tim De Meyer said: “I am honoured to be offered the position of Chief Constable of Surrey Police and very excited about the challenges ahead.

“I look forward to meeting with the Police and Crime Panel members and setting out my plans to build on the strong foundations put in place by the Force leadership over recent years, should I be confirmed in post.

“Surrey is a wonderful county and it will be a privilege to serve its residents and work with the officers, staff and volunteers who make Surrey Police an outstanding organisation.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend with Surrey Police and Sussex Police dog school officers, Animal Welfare Scheme visitors and representatives from the Dogs Trust and RSPCA.

Commissioner launches Animal Welfare Scheme at internationally renowned dog school

Posted on | by James Smith

A new project dedicated to the welfare of police dogs in Surrey has been launched thanks to the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend toured the Surrey Police and Sussex Police Dog Training School’s internationally renowned kennels for the first ever meeting of the Animal Welfare Scheme, an initiative based on guidance from the Dogs Trust and the RSPCA.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend with Surrey Police and Sussex Police dog school officers, Animal Welfare Scheme visitors and representatives from the Dogs Trust and RSPCA.

A number of volunteers drawn from Surrey’s Independent Custody Visiting (ICV) programme, which is run by Lisa’s office, will make regular visits to the kennels at Mount Browne, Guildford.

They will observe, comment and report on the condition and welfare of police dogs, as well as the conditions under which they are housed, trained, transported, and deployed.

Independent reports will be submitted to the Commissioner’s office after each visit. The scheme is supported by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), which upholds it as an example of ‘good practice’ for forces.

Lisa said: “We are incredibly proud of the Surrey Police Dog Training School which rightfully has a reputation that is admired not only in the UK but across the world.

“I’m confident that every police dog based at our kennels is fit, healthy and happy to be working alongside our officers.

“However, introducing the Animal Welfare Scheme increases transparency and provides that independent scrutiny on the welfare of the Force’s dogs which is really important. I’m looking forward to reading the reports from our brilliant volunteers.”

The Forces’ kennel is licensed to hold up to 50 dogs. Staff based at the site breed and train dogs for use around the world. Its own dogs are used for a range of policing purposes, including searching for missing people, the detection of drugs and explosives, and helping to detain criminals.

Louise Crawford, who coordinates the scheme for the Dogs Trust, said: “I’m delighted that the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey has adopted the Animal Welfare Scheme for their police dog section.

“This ensures there is an open and transparent process to monitor the welfare needs of these amazing working dogs. Dogs Trust is proud to support this scheme and look forward to working in partnership with the force going forward.”

Geoff Wiltshire, Operational and Dog School Manager, said: “Our force dogs are a hugely important resource for operational policing. We’re extremely proud of the work they do alongside our frontline officers.

“We welcome visits from the Animal Welfare Scheme volunteers. We have offered them input and support, and we are happy to open our doors for inspections of our training, vehicle fleet and holding kennels.”

Each of the new volunteers is already part of the ICV scheme. As part of that project, trained visitors tour police stations at random to check on the treatment of people held in custody and to ensure their rights and entitlements are upheld in accordance with the Police and Criminal Act 1984.

Erika Dallinger, ICV Scheme Manager, said: “I am looking forward to getting the Animal Welfare Scheme off the ground, providing greater scrutiny to this interesting and often unseen area of policing.

“I am very thankful to the seven individuals who are volunteering on behalf of their communities to provide this oversight.”

For more information, or to volunteer, visit our Independent Custody Visiting page.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend

Commissioner Lisa Townsend praises ‘outstanding’ crime prevention but says room for improvement elsewhere following Surrey Police inspection

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has praised Surrey Police’s achievements in preventing crime and anti-social behaviour after it was graded ‘outstanding’ in a report published today.

But the Commissioner said improvements were needed in other areas including how the Force responded to non-emergency calls and its management of high harm offenders.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) carry out annual inspections on police forces across the country into the Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy (PEEL) in which they keep people safe and reduce crime.

Inspectors visited Surrey Police in January to carry out its PEEL assessment – the first since 2019.

Their report published today found excellent examples of problem solving focused on local policing, good investigations, and a strong focus on guiding offenders away from crime and protecting vulnerable individuals.

It recognised that Surrey Police answered 999 calls quickly, exceeding the national target for the percentage of calls that were answered within 10 seconds. It also noted the use of the Checkpoint scheme in Surrey, that supports lower-level offenders to address the root causes of their offending in place of prosecution. The scheme is actively supported by the Commissioner’s Office and resulted in a 94% drop in re-offending in 2021.

The Force achieved ‘good’ ratings in investigating crime, the treatment of the public and protecting vulnerable people. They were also assessed as ‘adequate’ in responding to the public, developing a positive workplace and making good use of resources.

Surrey continues to have the 4th lowest crime rate out of 43 police forces in England and Wales and remains the safest county in in the South-East.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “I know from speaking to residents across the county how highly they value the role our local policing teams play in tackling issues important to our communities.

“So, I’m really pleased to see Surrey Police maintain its ‘outstanding’ rating in preventing crime and anti-social behaviour – two areas that feature prominently in my Police and Crime Plan for the county.

“Since taking office a year ago I have been out with policing teams across Surrey and I have seen how tirelessly they work to keep people safe. Inspectors found that the problem-solving approach the Force has worked hard to adopt in recent years is continuing to pay dividends which is good news for residents.

“But there is always room for improvement of course and the report has raised concerns about the management of suspects and offenders, in particular with regard to sex offenders, and the safeguarding of children in our communities.

“Managing the risk from these individuals is fundamental to keeping our residents safe – particularly women and girls who are disproportionately affected by sexual violence in our communities.

“This needs to be a real area of focus for our policing teams and my office will provide careful scrutiny and support to ensure plans put in place by Surrey Police are both prompt and robust in making the necessary improvements.

“I have noted the comments the report makes around how police deal with mental health. As the national lead for Commissioner’s on this issue – I am actively seeking better partnership working on both a local and national level to try and ensure policing is not the first port of call for those in mental health crisis and they get access to the proper clinical response they need.

“I would like to see progress in some of those areas graded ‘adequate’ in the report by providing the public with a policing service that is value for money and if they need the police, ensuring the response they receive is swift and effective.

“The report also highlights the high workload and wellbeing of our officers and staff. I know the Force are working really hard to recruit the extra officers allocated by government so I am hoping to see that situation improving for our workforce in the coming months. I know the Force share my views on the value of our people so it is important our officers and staff have the right resources and support they need.

“While there are clear improvements to be made, I think overall there is much to be pleased with in this report which reflects the hard work and dedication our officers and staff display on a daily basis to keep our county safe.”

Read the full HMICFRS assessment for Surrey here.

You can learn more about how the Police and Crime Commissioner monitors Force performance and holds the Chief Constable to account at https://www.surrey-pcc.gov.uk/transparency/performance/

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend

Surrey Police among quickest to answer 999 calls but still room for improvement says Commissioner

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

Surrey Police is among the fastest forces in the country in answering emergency calls to the public but there is still room for improvement to reach the national target.

That’s the verdict of the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend after a league table detailing how long it takes forces to answer 999 calls was published for the first time ever today.

Data released by the Home Office on all forces in the UK shows that between 1 November 2021 to 30 April 2022, Surrey Police were one of the top ten performing forces with 82% of 999 calls answered within 10 seconds.

The national average was 71% and only one force managed to reach the target of answering over 90% of calls within 10 seconds.

The data will now be published regularly as part of a drive to increase transparency and improve processes and the service to the public.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “I have joined a number of shifts in our contact centre since becoming Commissioner and have seen first-hand the crucial role our staff do 24/7 being that first point of contact for our communities.

“We often talk about the policing frontline and the incredible job these staff do is at the absolute heart of that. A 999 call can be a matter of life or death so the demand on them is huge in a really high-pressure environment.

“I know the challenges the Covid-19 pandemic presented for policing were particularly acute for our contact centre staff so I want to thank them all on behalf of Surrey residents.

“The public quite rightly expect the police to respond to 999 calls quickly and effectively, so I am pleased to see that the data released today shows Surrey Police are among the fastest compared to other forces.

“But there is still work to do to reach the national target of 90% of emergency calls answered within 10 seconds. Together with how the Force is performing in answering our non-emergency 101 number, this is something I will be paying close attention to and holding the Chief Constable to account on going forward.”

Commissioner says improvements must be made in number of burglaries solved

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has said improvements must be made in the number of burglaries that are solved in the county after figures revealed that Surrey’s rate had fallen to 3.5%.

Statistics show that nationally that solve rates for domestic burglary have gone down to around 5% over the last year.

The Commissioner said that while the number of burglaries in Surrey has fallen dramatically during the Covid-19 pandemic – the solve rate is an area that needs urgent attention.

The Commissioner said: “Burglary is a deeply invasive and upsetting crime that can leave victims feeling vulnerable in their own homes.

“The current solve rate of 3.5% in Surrey is not acceptable and there is much hard work to do to improve those figures.

“A key part of my role is to hold the Chief Constable to account and I raised this issue in my live performance meeting with him earlier this week. He accepts that improvements are needed and it is an area that I will ensure we keep a real focus on going forward.

“There are a number of reasons behind these figures and this is a national trend. We know that changes in evidence and more investigations requiring digital expertise are providing challenges for policing. I am committed to making sure my office gives any support we can to Surrey Police to make progress in this area.

“A key priority in my Police and Crime Plan is to work with our communities so that they feel safe and there is more we can do to raise awareness of some of simple measures residents can take to prevent themselves from becoming a victim.

“During the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic burglary rates in the county fell by 35%. Whilst that is really encouraging, we know that we must improve in the number of those crimes that are solved so we can reassure the public those responsible for committing burglary in Surrey will be pursued and brought to justice.”

logo of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey

New-look public performance meeting will focus on CCTV and violence against women and girls

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

CCTV and violence against women and girls will be on the agenda as the Police and Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend presents a new format of her Public Performance and Accountability meetings next week

As part of the Commissioner’s commitment to increasing engagement with Surrey residents, the new-look meeting will be streamed using Facebook Live from 10:30am on Monday (31 January).

You can watch the meeting live here.

The meeting is one of the key ways the Commissioner holds the Chief Constable Gavin Stephens to account on behalf of the public and she will be inviting feedback from residents on questions they would like answered on topics covered in future meetings.

The Chief Constable will give an update on the latest Public Performance Report which can be read here and will also face questions on key focus areas including the budgetary pressures facing the Surrey Police ahead of the start of a new financial year in April.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “When I took office in May I promised to keep residents’ views at the heart of my plans for Surrey.

“Monitoring the performance of Surrey Police and holding the Chief Constable accountable is central to my role, and it is important to me that members of the public can get involved in that process to help my office and the Force to deliver the best possible service together.

“I especially encourage anyone with a question or topic they’d like to know more about to get in touch. We want to hear your views and will be dedicating a new space in every meeting to address the feedback we receive.”

Haven’t got time to watch the meeting on the day? The video of the meeting will be available afterwards on the Commissioner’s online channels including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Nextdoor, and on our Performance page.

Commissioner wants to hear resident’s views on policing priorities for Surrey

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend is calling on Surrey residents to have their say on what the policing priorities should be for the county over the next three years.

The Commissioner is inviting the public to fill in a brief survey which will help her set her Police and Crime Plan that will shape policing during her current term of office.

The survey, which only takes a few minutes to complete, can be found below and will be open until Monday 25th October 2021.

Police and Crime Plan Survey

The Police and Crime Plan will set out the key priorities and areas of policing which the Commissioner believes Surrey Police need to focus on during her term of office and provides the basis for she holds the Chief Constable to account.

During the summer months, a lot of work has already gone into developing the plan with the widest consultation process ever carried out by the Commissioner’s office.

Deputy Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson has led consultation events with a number of key groups such as MPs, councillors, victim and survivor groups, young people, professionals in crime reduction and safety, rural crime groups and those representing Surrey’s diverse communities.

The consultation process is now moving to the stage where the Commissioner wants to seek the views of the wider Surrey public with the survey where people can have their say on what they would like to see in the plan.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “When I took office back in May, I pledged to keep residents’ views at the heart of my plans for the future which is why I want as many people as possible to fill in our survey and let me know their views.

“I know from speaking to residents across Surrey that there are issues that consistently cause concern such as speeding, anti-social behaviour and the safety of women and girls in our communities.

“I want to ensure that my Police and Crime Plan is the right one for Surrey and reflects a wide a range of views as possible on those issues that are important to people in our communities.

“I believe it is vital we strive to provide that visible police presence the public want in their communities, tackle those crimes and issues that are important to people where they live and support victims and the most vulnerable in our society.

“That is the challenge and I want to develop a plan that can help deliver on those priorities on behalf of the Surrey public.

“A lot of work has already gone into the consultation process and has given us some clear foundations on which to build the plan. But I believe it is crucial we listen to our residents about what they want and expect from their police service and what they believe should be in the plan.

“That is why I would ask as many people as possible to take a few minutes to fill in our survey, give us their views and help us shape the future of policing in this county.”