Category: Reducing reoffending

The graphic has a blue background and features the logo of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey. It reads: "In 2024/25, Independent Custody Visitors volunteered more than 700 hours to check conditions in custody and had conversations with 445 detainees." The words are accompanied by graphics of a person standing beside a clock, and an emoji of a person.

700 hours, 445 conversations and 176 visits – inside Surrey’s custody volunteering scheme

Posted on | by Alex Winter

SURREY’S Police and Crime Commissioner is celebrating the work of volunteers who visit custody suites to check on detainees. 

Lisa Townsend thanked those who dedicate their time to the Independent Custody Visitor (ICV) scheme as she marked national Volunteers’ Week. 

In just 12 months, the volunteers – all specially-trained members of the public – dedicated 700 hours to ensuring the rights, wellbeing and dignity of detainees are respected in custody. 

ICVs make unannounced visits to Surrey Police’s three custody suites in Guildford, Salford and Staines. During the visits, they assess conditions and speak with both detainees and custody officers. 

Over the past year, volunteers conducted 176 visits, spending 323 hours in custody and directly checking on the welfare of almost 1,000 detainees. They had just under 445 conversations with those in custody. 

Commissioner’s thanks

The Platinum-status scheme, which is managed by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey, is open year-round to applicants who want to help improve the service provided by Surrey Police. 

The Commissioner said: “Independent Custody Visitors provide essential scrutiny of an area of policing that is hidden from public view. 

“By giving their time, they ensure that detainees are being treated respectfully and aren’t going without essentials like food, blankets and feminine hygiene products. 

“Volunteers also provide support to custody officers, who are often working in challenging, pressurised conditions with some of Surrey’s most vulnerable people. 

Volunteers welcome

“The combined efforts of ICVs and custody staff ensure that every person arrested in the county receives the appropriate, fair treatment and care. 

“I’d encourage anyone with an interest to volunteer with the scheme. It’s an immensely rewarding and unique way to give your time to policing.” 

ICVs must be over 18, live or work in Surrey, and able to carry out one custody visit per month. They cannot be serving police officers or involved in the criminal justice process. 

Full training and expenses are provided. 

For more information, or to apply, visit our Independent Custody Volunteers page. 

Staff of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey taking part in the Amber Hike the Hill event

Commissioner’s team ‘Hike the Hill’ to raise money for key service supporting young homeless people

Posted on | by Nathan Rees

A team from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office has taken part in charity hike to the highest point in Surrey to raise money for a key service supporting homeless young people.

A number of PCC staff, including the Deputy Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson, joined organisers and young people from the Amber Foundation in completing the 10km route last weekend at Leith Hill near Dorking.

Amber are a fantastic organisation who transform the lives of young people by providing them with temporary accomodation and a programme of support to help them get their lives back on track.

They support young people aged from 17 to 30 by providing a shared home with a community of around 30 others. Staff there deliver a programme of training and activities based around accommodation, employment and health and wellbeing.

The Commissioner’s office provides funding for three beds at their centre near Ockley through its dedicated Reducing Reoffending Fund and the aim of the hike was to raise money to help towards paying for another bed space.

It’s not too late to donate – you can support Amber here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/hikethehill23

A back injury meant the Commissioner Lisa Townsend had to sit out the hike but she was there to cheer on everyone who completed the hike at the finishing line.

She had previously paid a visit to the Amber centre a few weeks ago to meet some of the fantastic team and hear about some of the young people they support.

Lisa said: “Sadly, many young people who have experienced childhood trauma or escaped domestic violence or a difficult situation at home can find themselves with nowhere to live.

“Sleeping on sofas or in hostels can often mean they struggle to find work or maintain education which can have a devastating effect on their self-confidence and mental health.

“This sadly all too often results in them drifting into substance or alcohol abuse and crime and it can be a vicious spiral that is hard to break.

“Reducing reoffending is a really important focus for my office and I strongly believe if the right services are offered to young people whose lives may have gone off track – we can steer them away from criminality meaning the communities in which they live will also benefit.

“Nearly three quarters of those who move on from Amber have managed to go to independent, safe housing with a job or back into education which is an amazing statistic

“That is why I am delighted to support this brilliant event which I hope can help Amber go even further in having such a positive impact on young people’s lives.”