Category: Protecting people from harm

The image shows Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend walking through a town centre with two police officers in uniform. Lisa, who has blonde hair, stands on the right of the image. She wears a black jacket and trousers. The officers, one male and one female, are wearing their uniforms and police hats, and they are in the middle of a conversation with Lisa as they all walk past a branch of Marks and Spencer.

“It’s what residents want to see”: Surrey’s Safer Streets Summer begins

Posted on | by Alex Winter

A MAJOR new campaign to keep Surrey’s town centres safe over the summer has launched. 

The Home Office-backed Safer Streets Summer Initiative will see a focus on the busiest areas of the county to bolster crime prevention and community safety. 

The scheme, which brings together the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Surrey Police and partners across Surrey, including schools, councils, health services, businesses, and transport and community organisations, aims to tackle crimes that blight communities. 

Anti-social behaviour, violence against women and girls, retail crime and violent offending will be among the types of criminality targeted with visible patrols and special police operations. These crime types typically increase during the summer months.

Officers will also proactively use anti-social behaviour powers and visit retail premises to offer advice, reassurance and support. 



Major summer campaign begins

Locations for the initiative span the county, including Staines and Addlestone in the north, Farnham and Camberley in the west, Dorking further to the south, and Caterham in the east. 

Targeted activity will take place until September, with a range of activities planned in each of the towns. 

Plain-clothed officers will spot signs of suspicious behaviour in the county’s busiest nightspots, while joint operations are set to target crime enabled by motorbikes and mopeds. 

Youth engagement officers will work with partners to find opportunities for young people during school holidays, and roads policing teams will be on the lookout for dangerous or distracted drivers. 

Targeted operations

Officers will also mount specific patrols tackling retail crime and anti-social behaviour in tandem with partners from environmental health, licensing and trading standards. 

News of the initiative comes as Surrey marks national Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week.

Anti-social behaviour is a key priority for the county’s Safer Neighbourhood Teams throughout the year, and more information on how to report anti-social behaviour or access help can be found here. 

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has made available funding for any developing town centre work that needs support over the course of the summer.  

The Commissioner said: “While Surrey remains one of the safest places to live in the country, I know that anti-social behaviour, retail crime and violence against women and children are among the issues that matter most in our communities.

“It’s what residents want to see”

“The Safer Streets Summer Initiative will allow police officers and staff, along with our fantastic partners, to put a spotlight on neighbourhood policing and community safety. 

“This type of visibility is what residents have told me they want to see. 

“The aim isn’t simply police enforcement – it’s collaboration, and we aim not only to respond to crime, but to prevent it altogether. 

“A huge range of activities will be taking place across the summer. 

“More anti-social behaviour warning letters will be sent out, while data and intelligence will be used to identify areas that are disproportionately impacted by specific crime types. 

Tailored plan of action

“There will also be various days of targeted action and close working with some of our key partners. 

“We will work with Business Improvement Districts to protect retailers and support vulnerable children to divert them away from crime. 

“Each of the town centres identified for additional work as part of the scheme will see its own tailored plan of action unfolding over the summer months. 

“I look forward to sharing more about this initiative in the weeks to come, and I wish all residents a Safer Streets Summer of their own.” 

Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, stands between two uniformed officers at a race course. Behind them is a stand overlooking the course. The Commissioner has blonde hair. She is looking at one of the officers and laughing. She wears pink trousers and a blouse with polka dots on it. To the left of the image is a female officer in uniform, and to the right is a male officer in uniform. Both are looking at the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Commissioner goes behind the scenes at this year’s Epsom Derby as four arrests are made

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has gone behind the scenes at Surrey’s biggest pre-planned policing operation.

The Epsom Derby, which took place over the weekend, is one of the most significant sporting events in the county.

Officers, staff, and volunteers from Surrey Police and Sussex Police, including specialist resources such as planning, intelligence, drones, and public order, worked closely with The Jockey Club to ensure this year’s event was carried out safely.

A total of four arrests were made over two days in the area in and around the racecourse.

Lisa joined officers for Ladies’ Day, attending a morning briefing and travelling into Epsom town centre during the afternoon to talk to residents.



Extra powers

Police were handed extra powers during the weekend to tackle incidents of anti-social behaviour, crime and disorder. Officers were given a Section 35 Dispersal Order which covers all of Epsom, Walton Downs, and Langley Vale.

The order gives officers and PCSOs the power to remove individuals from a specified area where their behaviour is contributing, or likely to contribute, to anti-social behaviour, crime and disorder.

Lisa said: “The Derby is a real team effort, with officers and staff from across the Force supporting the operation in a number of roles, including neighbourhood policing, roads policing, public order, intelligence and drone operations.

“Their role to ensure the safe running of the Derby varies widely, from assisting with traffic management to investigating crime and providing a reassuring presence around the racecourse.

“Of course, the policing operation isn’t just confined to the festival itself, and across the weekend, teams minimised the impact on our local communities in the surrounding area with proactive patrols.

Commissioner’s thanks

“A huge amount of work goes on behind the scenes to make sure people at the festival and beyond have a safe, fun weekend, and I’d like to say a big thank you to all of those who worked tirelessly as part of this event.”

Chief Superintendent Graham Barnett said: “We have been policing the Derby at Epsom Downs for 26 years, but no two years are ever the same.

“Our officers, staff, and volunteers all worked incredibly hard this weekend to support the safe running of this event, which is the largest pre-planned policing operation in Surrey each year.

“Working closely with the event organisers and our local partner agencies, those who attended were able to enjoy the event safely.

“We appreciate this event can be disruptive for Epsom residents and those travelling through the area, and I’d like to thank the local community for their understanding and patience this weekend.

Four arrests

“Alongside supporting the safe running of the event itself, we also provided an increased policing presence in and around Epsom town centre throughout the weekend, and our teams worked tirelessly to prevent and respond to reports of crime and anti-social behaviour related to the Derby.”

On Friday, June 6, a 45-year-old man from North Cheam was arrested and cautioned for being drunk and disorderly. A 20-year-old man from Worcester Park was arrested on suspicion of assault. He has been released with no further action and dispersed from the area under a Section 35 Dispersal Order.

On Saturday, June 7, a 63-year-old man was arrested and given a community resolution for being drunk and disorderly. A 24-year-old man from Redhill was arrested on suspicion of assault and sexual assault by touching. He has been bailed while enquiries continue.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend

Car park flagged as concern by residents wins award after funding is secured by Commissioner

Posted on | by Alex Winter

A car park highlighted by Surrey residents as an area of concern has received a national award following extensive renovations.

Drewitts Court car park in Walton-on-Thames benefited from a tranche of Home Office Safer Streets Funding, secured by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and partners including Elmbridge Borough Council.

An extensive programme of renovations was carried out with the grant, and the site has now secured a Safer Parking Award.

The award is a national standard for UK car parks that have implemented measures to ensure the safety of both vehicles and their owners.

Safer Streets success

Managed by the British Parking Association (BPA) on behalf of Police Crime Prevention Initiatives Ltd, the scheme aims to reduce crime and the fear of crime in parking facilities.

To receive the award, car parks must undergo a rigorous risk assessment conducted by the police. This assessment ensures that the car park has appropriate measures in place, such as effective surveillance, good lighting, and a clean environment, all of which are known to deter criminal activity and anti-social behaviour.

The award signifies that a car park is a safer environment for users, providing peace of mind for those parking their vehicles there.

Car park improvements

The enhancements include:

  • Upgraded lighting for better visibility
  • New directional arrows to improve traffic flow
  • Reviewed and improved speed humps
  • A refurbished stairwell with a fresh coat of paint, new mirrors, and the application of urine repellent and anti-graffiti paints
  • Temporary deployment of CCTV to enhance security

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, said: “It’s been wonderful to see how the team in Elmbridge have used Safer Streets funding to invest in the safety and health of communities in the borough.

“Residents had told police and councillors of their concerns around the Drewitts Court car park, and the improvements made demonstrate the real impact that properly directed funding can have. 

“I’m delighted that the efforts of the team have been recognised with a Safer Parking Award.”

Councillor Kirsty Hewens, Portfolio Holder for Enterprise, Parking and Local Economy, said: “Keeping residents safe and enhancing the feeling of safety is a key priority for the Elmbridge Community and Safety Partnership.

“We want people to feel safe visiting our high street car parks at all times of day.”

Funding boost

Walton was one of three Surrey towns to be allocated a combined total of almost £1million last year as part of the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund. Redhill and Guildford also benefited from the grant.

In Walton, the funding is being used to tackle anti-social behaviour in public spaces after drugs, vandalism and littering were identified as particular concerns for residents.

Additional CCTV has been installed in the town, and a targeted youth outreach programme is under way.

The fund has also paid for improvements to the community garden at St Johns Drive in Walton, which now features new flowerbeds, vegetable patches and a bug hotel to encourage wildlife and support biodiversity in the area.

Commissioner joins local officers preventing anti-social behaviour and crime in Surrey Heath

Posted on | by James Smith

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend joined officers across Surrey Heath as they carried out coordinated operations to help stamp out anti-social behaviour and crime across the borough.

At the end of July, the Commissioner took part in targeted patrols aimed at reducing crime in the areas that had received the most reports of crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB), followed by a visit to ‘pop-up’ club that gave children and young people a place to be in the evening with support from local officers and specialist youth workers.

Together with Surrey Heath Borough Council, Surrey Police teams carried out patrols to prevent illegal fishing and anti-social driving, speeding enforcement and test purchasing using young people to deter the sale of vapes and knives to people who are underage.

Visits to local retailers took place to discuss their concerns and licensing checks were carried out with local taxi firms.

While all of the activities are carried out by Surrey Police and partners on a regular basis – the day coordinated these actions to help boost visible policing, engage with residents and build on the joint intelligence that helps to identify longer term solutions to the problems that are reported by local people and businesses.

It comes after the Force carried out an extra 900 patrols, arresting 34 people as part of a boost to police funding that was secured by the Commissioner’s team earlier this year.

That funding is now paying for an increase in the hotspot patrols that are being carried out by Surrey Police officers and partners, starting in 15 areas across the county.

In the last four years, an additional £2m funding from the Government’s Safer Streets Fund has also been used to deliver bespoke community safety improvements by local police teams and the local councils in eight of Surrey’s boroughs.

Surrey remains one of the safest counties in England and Wales and these operations are focused on stopping ASB and crime from growing.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said, “I was delighted to join the coordinated actions by officers that are directly addressing those concerns that you have told me are important to you in the Surrey Heath area.

“During the day, I witnessed the hard work of local teams and our partners at Surrey Heath Borough Council that are acting visibly to deter anti-social behaviour and crimes such as shoplifting that are often linked to a bigger picture of organised crime in our communities.

“That work is vital and it was accompanied by a range of less visible actions that are just as important to keeping our communities safe; such as working with retailers to report crime and prevent underage sales, ensuring visitors and residents are kept safe at night and investing in the relationship between our officers and children and young people.”

Residents are urged to report crime at surrey.police.uk, by calling 101 or sending a direct message on official Surrey Police social media channels. Always dial 999 in an emergency.

Anyone who witnesses or is concerned about anti-social behaviour can find out how to report it at healthysurrey.org.uk/community-safety/asb

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa standing by supermarket trolleys

Commissioner dispels shoplifting “myth” – and says the offence is a top priority for police in Surrey

Posted on | by Alex Winter

SURREY’S Police and Crime Commissioner has moved to “myth-bust” claims that police won’t investigate lower-value shoplifting incidents – after joining an undercover sting at an East Surrey supermarket.

Lisa Townsend said “persistent rumours” that police will fail to respond to incidents where the total value of items stolen is less than £200 are “categorically untrue”.

The Commissioner joined a recent plain-clothes operation to tackle shoplifting at Sainsbury’s in Redhill. During the initiative, a suspected offender was detained after allegedly stealing items worth just £7.50.

While Surrey has some of the lowest levels of shoplifting in the country, reports rose by 26 per cent between December 2022 and 2023. The figure is reflective of national trends.

Myth-busting

The Force uses uniformed patrols in hotspots, plain-clothes operations and public engagement to tackle shoplifting.

Their approach has resulted in a number of recent successes.

Within recent months, the work of a single officer who was initially tasked with investigating shoplifting at a branch of Tesco in Guildford uncovered an alleged two years of offending by a gang based in Essex. Six people have now been charged with a total of 86 offences for conspiracy to commit theft from a shop.

Lisa was quizzed on Surrey Police’s response to the offence during a meeting with Dorking’s Business Improvement District.

The Commissioner said: “For many years now, there has been a persistent rumour that police will only investigate reports of shoplifting where the value exceeds £200.

“This is categorically untrue, and it’s time to myth-bust this particular story.

“It is true that police may not visit a business immediately, depending on the threat or risk or harm reported.

“However, the Chief Constable has been clear that ultimately, he wants to see all reports investigated, whether the loss is £5 or £5,000.

“I recently watched as a suspected shoplifter was arrested on suspicion of stealing items worth just £7.50.

‘We take it very seriously’

“Reports of shoplifting are rising throughout the UK.

We know that much of this increase is fuelled by organised gangs who are stealing to order, targeting higher-value items to sell on to members of the public struggling with the cost of living.

“Shoplifting also often goes hand-in-hand with violence, threats and abuse directed at retail staff.

“It’s crucial that Surrey Police, as well as every other force in the country, treats these offences with the seriousness they deserve.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend standing outside office with Surrey Police Head of ASB and Partnerships Joanna Grimshaw

Commissioner says “We are listening”, as residents share views on anti-social behaviour

Posted on | by James Smith

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has vowed to root out anti-social behaviour in Surrey after residents revealed that littering, speeding and fly-tipping are among their biggest issues in a wide-ranging new survey.

More than half of the 1,325 respondents to the survey, created by the county’s Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and Community Harm Reduction Partnership Delivery Group, said that anti-social driving, including speeding and inconsiderate parking, were the most significant issues in their area.

However, there was an increase in residents’ satisfaction with their area, with more respondents reporting that their communities are better places to live than they were a year ago.

Close to a third of respondents said they had been personally affected by ASB in the last year – and almost half said they had witnessed ASB in their area.

An average of 40 per cent of residents selected littering, inconsiderate dog ownership and fly-tipping as top concerns in their area.

Some 36 per cent chose drug-taking as a key issue.

Since the previous survey, which took place in 2023, more residents said they’d feel confident in who to contact about ASB in their community.

A majority of respondents said they’d contact Surrey Police or their local council in the first instance.

However, fewer people knew about the ASB Case Review – previously known as the Community Trigger – which specifically deals with persistent cases of ASB.

A Review can be requested if a resident feels that a complaint made about the same issue three or more times in a six-month period has not been satisfactorily resolved. The process provides a powerful way to bring together different agencies for a better solution.

Residents’ views were shared with the Partnership, which includes Surrey Police, Surrey County Council, local councils, health, housing and support services, and is actively supported by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “The impact that anti-social behaviour can have on individuals is huge.

“I’m committed to ensuring residents feel safe where they live. That is why it is vital that we keep asking for feedback from our communities to target activity, such as extra police visibility or improvements to victim support, where it can have the greatest impact to improve people’s lives.

“The data from this survey is valuable and my office will continue to work closely with Surrey Police and partners to act on the areas that you’ve told us are most important to reducing ASB in Surrey.”

Joanna Grimshaw, Head of ASB and Partnerships at Surrey Police, said: “Listening to victims’ experiences is vital if we are to understand what we can do as a partnership to make people feel safe and supported.

“The results of this year’s survey will help us to look at what needs to be done in the coming year to enhance our work where they feel they are not being listened to, ensure victims feel confident to report incidents and know how to activate an ASB Case Review.”

Together with Surrey Police, Lisa’s Office plays a key role in the overall response to ASB in Surrey, providing a mix of visible policing, community safety initiatives and funding for local services.

In the last four years, the Office of the Commissioner has secured close to £2m in Safer Streets funding from the Home Office. The funding has paid for bespoke projects by the police and local councils to boost safety in seven out of the eleven boroughs in Surrey.

Since April, Surrey Police has also introduced additional targeted, highly visible patrols to tackle areas in the county experiencing the most incidents of ASB and violence, after the Government made £1m available as part of a nation-wide programme of ‘hotspot’ policing.

To learn more about reporting different kinds of anti-social behaviour in Surrey or to request a review of an anti-social behaviour report, visit https://www.healthysurrey.org.uk/community-safety/asb

Rowdy behaviour, drug use, anti-social use of vehicles, anti-social drinking and criminal damage are examples of ASB and crime that should be reported to Surrey Police at surrey.police.uk, by calling 101 or sending a direct message on official Surrey Police social media channels.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend

“Don’t suffer in silence” – Commissioner’s plea to residents experiencing anti-social behaviour

Posted on | by James Smith

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend is encouraging residents to report anti-social behaviour (ASB) during a dedicated week focused on its impact in Surrey.

The Commissioner said it was important to recognise the impact that ASB – such as neighbourhood disputes and noise – can have on victims, including serious health concerns and a feeling that there is ‘no escape’.

During July, she joined officers on a targeted patrol to tackle ASB and raised awareness of the bigger picture of organised criminality that is often linked to persistent cases.

ASB can include rowdy behaviour, vandalism and anti-social driving. Incidents involving driving may also be linked to criminal offences like speeding, violence and drug dealing.

In Surrey, the Anti-social Behaviour and Community Harm Reduction Partnership Delivery Group – which includes Surrey Police, Surrey County Council, local councils, health, housing and support services – aims to support victims and drive down offences.

Residents affected by ASB can learn more about how to report different problems by visiting https://www.healthysurrey.org.uk/community-safety/asb

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend

This spring, more than 1,000 residents responded to the Partnership’s annual ASB Survey, which is supported by the Commissioner’s office.

Half of those to respond highlighted anti-social driving, speeding and inconsiderate parking as key issues in their area.

Over a third of residents who responded to the survey cited littering, inconsiderate dog ownership and fly-tipping as other concerns.

Surrey remains one of the safest counties in England and Wales and, in 2024, Surrey Police have received additional funding to boost the presence of police and community safety partners in areas of the county that experience higher rates of ASB and violence.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend on a hotspot patrol with Surrey Police officers

Commissioner Lisa Townsend urged residents who are affected by ASB where they live to learn more about the support available, including from Mediation Surrey that is funded by her office to support individuals to resolve conflict. They also offer Support Coaching that provides a listening ear and is focused on the ways that victims of ASB can protect their wellbeing while an issue is being addressed.

She also highlighted the ASB Case Review, which draws together key partners to review cases of ASB that have been reported more than three times in a six-month period, but where little improvement is reported.

The Commissioner said: “Anti-social behaviour remains the biggest topic of conversation when I speak to people across the county about policing.

“Making sure that Surrey residents feel safe is a key part of my Police and Crime Plan.

“It is really important that individuals who are experiencing ASB know that it is being taken seriously in Surrey. My message is, please don’t suffer in silence. There are amazing services in our county who are there to listen and support you.

“The ASB Case Review gives those people who have already reported a problem several times a way to escalate their concerns. By requesting a Case Review, they’ll be heard by a wider group of organisations that will unite to find a better solution.”

To learn more about reporting different kinds of anti-social behaviour or to request an ASB Case Review, visit https://www.healthysurrey.org.uk/community-safety/asb

Rowdy behaviour, drug use, anti-social use of vehicles, anti-social drinking and criminal damage are examples of ASB and crime that should be reported to the police.

Contact Surrey Police on 101, on official Surrey Police social media channels or at https://surrey.police.uk Always dial 999 in an emergency.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend on a hotspot patrol with Surrey Police officers in north Surrey

34 arrests as Commissioner joins officers on hotspot patrol to cut crime in Surrey

Posted on | by James Smith

Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend joined officers on a dedicated anti-social behaviour (ASB) hotspot patrol, after her office received £1m to boost visible policing across the county.

Ahead of Anti-social Behaviour Awareness Week which starts today, the Commissioner learned how the ‘hotspot’ approach by Surrey Police aims to cut ASB and serious violence; starting with 15 areas of Surrey based on the latest crime data.

Since May, the funding from the Home Office has paid for an extra 900 patrols, resulting in 34 arrests for offences including assault, possession of drugs and breaching anti-social behaviour legislation.

Officers have also engaged with more than 2,600 members of the community and carried out 43 stop and searches in hotspot areas including town centres.

Residents identified ASB, drug taking and shoplifting as key concerns in a series of ‘Policing your Community’ events hosted by the Commissioner and the Chief Constable for Surrey Police this winter.

The boost to existing foot patrols by Surrey Police officers follows a national trial of ‘hotspot policing’ in counties including Essex and Lancashire. In those trials, targeted patrols helped to cut reports of ASB by half.

Anti-social behaviour is sometimes viewed as ‘low level’, but persistent problems are often linked to a bigger picture that includes serious violence and exploitation.

Neighbourhood crime in Surrey remains low and these patrols are focused on enhancing the existing presence of police and partners to help address incidents before their impact grows.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend on a hotspot patrol with Surrey Police officers in north Surrey

They form part of the wider response to anti-social behaviour in Surrey that is coordinated between the county’s dedicated Anti-social Behaviour and Community Harm Reduction Partnership Delivery Group. That Partnership including Surrey Police, Surrey County Council, local councils, health, housing and support services also work closely together to tackle the types of ASB that affect residents in their homes and anti-social driving and parking that happens on Surrey’s roads.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “Anti-social behaviour is a key topic of conversation when I ask residents for their views on policing in Surrey.

“I am delighted that these targeted patrols are directly tackling those types of ASB that are happening in our local spaces and are addressing the other concerns that people have told me are most important where they live – including drug dealing, theft and shoplifting.

“Surrey Police now have record numbers of police officers and this boost to the existing work of the Force to drive down ASB and violence means our officers are highly visible in those places where it will have the maximum impact.

“The results from the first two months of the extra funding are promising and this is just part of the wider work that is happening to reduce the impact of ASB in our communities.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend on a hotspot patrol with Surrey Police officers in north Surrey

Chief Inspector Andy Hill, who is overseeing the roll out of hotspot patrols in Surrey, said: “The funding has allowed us to target additional patrols into our communities where anti-social behaviour and violence is most prevalent. We have seen good results from this proactive policing, and communities should be reassured to see officers out on foot.”

Residents are urged to report crime at surrey.police.uk, by calling 101 or sending a direct message on official Surrey Police social media channels. Always dial 999 in an emergency.

Anyone who witnesses, or is concerned about anti-social behaviour can find out how to report it at healthysurrey.org.uk/community-safety/asb Rowdy behaviour, drug use, theft, anti-social use of vehicles, anti-social drinking and criminal damage are examples of ASB and crime that should be reported to Surrey Police.

Commissioner’s pride in Surrey Police campaign to tackle youth-produced sexual images

Posted on | by Alex Winter

A new campaign is underway across Surrey to target and prevent the harmful behaviours of young people who ask peers for sexual images.

Running as adverts on Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube and Meta, ‘Ok To Ask?’ depicts three teenagers giving their response to being pressured, or a friend being pressured, into asking for a nude photograph or being asked for a nude photograph.

Although led by Surrey Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey, it was developed alongside the target audience of 13-17-year-olds with in-person and online focus groups, surveys and ‘writers’ rooms’ – making it a campaign by young people, for young people.

The campaign is already gaining traction, with nearly six million impressions across social media platforms, but more importantly, it’s sparking the much-needed conversations on the topic.

Comments include: “This is so refreshing to see”, “People need to see this”, “Most adverts shame girls who may have sent something – this is great as focuses on the person asking” and “We need more mates like Jacob!”.

Temporary Detective Inspector Ellen Mclachlan, who works in Surrey Police’s Online Child Abuse Unit, said: “We chose this subject as the focus of the campaign as it’s one of the most wide-spread, policing issues, affecting the 13-17-year-old age group with considerable risks and something we believe shouldn’t be considered as ‘just part of teenage life’.

“Often, people have a stereotyped view on the perpetrators of online child abuse and it may be a surprise to learn that nearly a third of all sexual images of children found on webpages are in fact youth-produced.

“Youth produced sexual imagery is defined as images or videos generated by children under the age of 18 that are of a sexual nature or are considered to be indecent.

“Within policing, sadly we are all too familiar with the consequences that can stem from this behaviour including sexual bullying and blackmail.

Campaign success

“Working alongside our local and national partner agencies a core aspect of our work is prevention and early intervention to safeguard young people from ever experiencing these types of offences.

“But, while safeguarding is our primary concern, it’s important to know that it’s a crime to take, make, show or possess indecent images of any person below the age of 18, even if the person doing it is a child.

“This means we have a duty to seriously investigate instances of suspected youth produced sexual imagery – ultimately it’s child abuse.”

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, said: “The success of this ground-breaking campaign is a reflection of how important it is to listen to our young people and support them in navigating difficult issues.

‘Timely and crucial message’

“Youth produced sexual imagery is happening across society, and the Force’s message – that it’s not ok to ask for sexualised images, regardless of what a young person believes their peers are doing – is timely and crucial.

“I’m delighted that my brilliant Commissioning team were able to secure Home Office funding for this project, and that Surrey Police, working closely with young people from the county, have produced such an insightful campaign.

“By creating more opportunities for young people to speak openly with each other, as well as with their parents, carers and teachers, we hope to support healthier behaviours which stop youth produced sexual imagery being normalised.”

Parents and carers have a crucial role to play in helping young people to navigate the pressures to ask for and send images. There are a number of things you can do to help support them with this topic. Visit our webpage for more information and support.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend standing outside Sainsbury's in Redhill town centre

“We’re acting on your concerns,” newly re-elected Commissioner says as she joins officers for crime crackdown in Redhill

Posted on | by Alex Winter

SURREY’S newly re-elected Police and Crime Commissioner joined police amid a crackdown on criminals in Redhill – and told residents: “We are acting on your concerns.”

Lisa Townsend, who received 95,538 votes from the Surrey public in last week’s elections, has vowed to continue supporting “back to basics” policing in Surrey.

Yesterday, the Commissioner joined Reigate and Banstead police officers for a targeted operation to tackle shoplifting in Redhill. It came less than 24 hours after officers from both Surrey Police and British Transport Police targeted drug dealers at Redhill Railway Station.

The campaign is part of Clear, Hold, Build, a new initiative that targets criminals, ‘clearing’ them from crime hotspots. Police then ‘hold’ these areas to ensure offenders aren’t able to return. 

Lisa has contributed almost £60,000 from her Community Safety Fund to support Clear, Hold, Build in Redhill. 

As part of the programme’s ‘build’ phase, a further £265,000 in Home Office Safer Streets funding secured by Lisa, Reigate and Banstead Council and Surrey Police, will be used for town centre improvements, youth outreach and anti-social behaviour training. 

The Force has committed to a renewed focus on issues that matter most to residents, including anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and targeting persistent offenders. 

The Commissioner said: “Over the past three years, I have listened to the views of thousands of residents in Surrey on the policing service they receive. 

“I know the public want officers doing the job only they can – investigating and solving crime and taking offenders off our streets. 

“That’s why initiatives like Clear, Hold, Build are so important. 

“Both the Chief Constable and I are committed to tackling all criminal activity in our county.

“Using community-led intelligence, officers are making this town a hostile place for criminals and trouble-makers.

“Operations like these clear offenders from often-targeted locations, and an increased police presence deters these criminals from returning. 

“Working alongside our partners at Reigate and Banstead Council, we can then focus on crime prevention to ensure the community feels safe. 

“The ‘build’ phase of the programme is funded in part by the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund, which was achieved thanks to close partnership working with both the local authority and the Force. 

“Shoplifting, anti-social behaviour, vandalism and drug dealing have a real impact on Surrey residents, and we are determined to bring down offenders and support those who have suffered harm. 

“I have heard what Redhill residents want, and we are acting on their concerns.” 

  Surrey Police will issue an update on Clear, Hold, Build next week.