Category: Police and Crime Plan

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend with members of the Surrey Police road safety team at an awareness raising stall

Commissioner visits driver safety roadshow – amid warnings that collisions are rising following lockdowns

Posted on | by Alex Winter

SURREY’S Police and Crime Commissioner has joined a roadshow dedicated to reducing crash casualties – as she warned that collisions in the county are rising following lockdowns.

Lisa Townsend visited a college in Epsom on Tuesday morning to mark Project EDWARD (Every Day Without a Road Death).

Project EDWARD is the UK’s biggest platform showcasing best practice in road safety. Working alongside partners in the emergency services, members of the team have hosted a tour around the south for its week of action, which ends today.


During two busy events at Nescot and Brooklands colleges in Surrey, police officers from the casualty reduction team and roads policing unit, firefighters, the Surrey RoadSafe team and representatives from Kwik Fit engaged with young people about the importance of keeping their vehicles and themselves safe on the roads.

Students were given advice on vehicle maintenance, with demonstrations about tyre and engine safety.

Police officers also used goggles mimicking impairment to show the impact drink and drugs have on cognition, and attendees were invited to participate in a virtual reality experience highlighting the impact that distraction behind the wheel can have.

Commissioner’s roads plea

Data on serious and fatal collisions in Surrey last year has not yet been fully verified. However, police have recorded more than 700 collisions that resulted in a serious injury during 2022 – an increase on 2021, when 646 people were badly hurt. During the first half of 2021, the country was in lockdown.

Road safety is a key priority in Lisa’s Police and Crime Plan, and her office funds a series of initiatives aimed at keeping younger drivers safe.

Lisa also recently announced that she is the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners’ new lead for road safety nationally. The role will encompass rail and maritime travel and road safety.

She said: “Surrey is home to the busiest stretch of motorway in Europe – and it’s one of the most dangerous carriageways as a direct result of the sheer number of drivers who travel on it every day.

Lisa joined casualty reduction officers from Surrey Police at a Project EDWARD roadshow on Tuesday

“But we also have huge diversity in the county when it comes to our roads. There are many rural stretches of highway, particularly in the south.

“What’s most important to remember is that any road is a risk if a motorist is distracted or driving dangerously, and this is a critically important issue for our two fantastic traffic teams, the Roads Policing Unit and Vanguard Road Safety Team.

“Due to their inexperience, young people are particularly at risk from crashes, and it’s absolutely key to provide sensible, clear education on driving as early as possible.

“That’s why I was so pleased to join the team at Project EDWARD and Surrey RoadSafe on Tuesday.

“Project EDWARD’s ultimate aim is to create a road traffic system that is completely free of death and serious injury.

“They promote the Safe System approach, which focuses on designing roads, vehicles and speeds that work together to reduce the likelihood and severity of crashes.

“I wish them every success in their campaign to keep motorists around the country safe.”

The Commissioner also signed Project EDWARD’s safe driving pledge

For more information, visit https://projectedward.org or https://facebook.com/surreyroadsafe

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend and Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson standing in front of a Surrey Police car

Commissioner takes on major national role for transport safety

Posted on | by Alex Winter

SURREY’S Commissioner has taken on a major national role for transport safety – as she vowed to pursue greater penalties for those who put lives at risk while behind the wheel, on a bicycle, or astride an e-scooter.

Lisa Townsend is now the Association of Police and Crime Commissioner’s lead for roads policing and transport, which will encompass rail and maritime travel and road safety.

As part of the role, previously held by Sussex Commissioner Katy Bourne, Lisa will work to improve the safety of transport around the country. She will be supported by her Deputy, Ellie Vesey-Thompson, and looks to work closely with the British Transport Police.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend and Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson standing in front of a Surrey Police car

Lisa said: “Keeping road users safe is already a key priority in my Police and Crime Plan. Surrey’s motorways are some of the most highly-used in Europe, and I am keenly aware of how important an issue this is to our residents.

“We are very lucky in Surrey to have two teams specifically dedicated to poor driving – the Roads Policing Unit and the Vanguard Road Safety Team, both of which aim to keep road users safe.

“But across the country, there is far more to be done on both roads and railways to keep British travellers safe.

“One of the most critical aspects of my remit will be dealing with distracted and dangerous driving, which is an appalling and unnecessary risk to take on any road.

“While most people are safe motorists, there are some who selfishly risk both their own lives and the lives of others. Members of the public have had enough of seeing those drivers flouting the laws created to protect them.

‘Appalling and unnecessary’

“There are many benefits to getting people out of their cars and onto bicycles instead, but not everyone feels safe using this mode of transport. Cyclists, as well as motorists, horse riders and pedestrians, have a responsibility to observe the Highway Code.

“In addition, e-scooters have become a blight in many communities around the country in recent years.

“According to recent Department for Transport data, collisions involving e-scooters in the UK almost tripled within just a year between 2020 and 2021.

“More must clearly be done to prevent harm to the public.”

Commissioner’s new role

Ellie said: “Pedestrians are the most vulnerable cohort to use Britain’s streets, and we are determined to do all we can to put an end to activities that threaten their safety.

“This remit will allow both Lisa and I to apply pressure to a range of issues, from a system that allows thousands of people to legally drive with more than 12 points on their licence, to the sex offenders who target their victims on London’s Tube network.

“Safe travel is important to every member of the public, and we are determined to make some real and lasting changes.”

group photo of Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend with Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson, police officer and local councillors

Commissioner joins community meetings around Surrey to discuss the issues that matter most to residents

Posted on | by Alex Winter

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.

All of Lisa and Ellie’s community events are now available to view by visiting surrey-pcc.gov.uk/about-your-commissioner/residents-meetings/

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.

“A key priority in my Police and Crime Plan, which sets out the issues that matter most for residents, is to work with communities so they feel safe.

“Since the beginning of the year, Ellie and I have been able to answer questions about anti-social behaviour in Farnham, speeding drivers in Haslemere and business crime in Sunbury, to name just a few.

“During each meeting, I’m joined by officers from the local policing team, who are able to provide answers and reassurance on operational issues.

“These events are hugely important, both for me and for residents.

“I would encourage anyone with comments or concerns to either attend one of the meetings, or to organise one of their own.

“I will always be glad to attend and speak to all residents directly about the issues that have an impact on their lives.”

For more information, or to sign up to Lisa’s monthly newsletter, visit surrey-pcc.gov.uk

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.