Category: Role and responsibilities

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

Commissioner begins search for new Chief Constable of Surrey Police

Posted on | by James Smith | Leave a Comment on Commissioner begins search for new Chief Constable of Surrey Police

The Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has today begun her search for a new Chief Constable for Surrey Police.

The Commissioner has opened the recruitment process to find a successor to Gavin Stephens who announced last week he was set to leave after successfully being elected as the next head of the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC).

He is due take up his new post in the spring of next year and will remain as Surrey’s Chief Constable until that point.

The Commissioner says she will now undertake a thorough selection process to find an outstanding candidate who can lead the Force into an exciting new chapter.

The full details of the role and how to apply can be found here.

The Commissioner has convened a selection board that will be made up of people with expertise in policing and public affairs to help with the process.

The closing date for applications is December 2 and the interview process will be held early in the New Year.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “As Police and Crime Commissioner, appointing a Chief Constable is one of the most important responsibilities of my role and I am privileged to lead this process on behalf of the people of our county.

“I am determined to find an exceptional leader who will focus their talents on making Surrey Police the outstanding service that our communities expect and deserve.

“The next Chief Constable will need to deliver against the priorities set out in my Police and Crime Plan and help strengthen those relationships between our police teams and local communities.

“They will need to strike the right balance in tackling key issues such as improving our current detection rates with ensuring we provide that visible police presence we know our residents want to see. This must be achieved at a time when policing budgets need to be finely balanced during the current cost of living crisis.

“I am looking for an innovative and straight-talking leader whose passion for public service can inspire those around them to help create a police force we can all be proud of.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend

Commissioner vows to focus on the public’s priorities as she marks one year in office

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend has vowed to continue putting the views of residents at the forefront of her plans as she this week marks a year since taking office.

The Commissioner said she has enjoyed every minute of the job so far and is looking forward to continuing to work with Surrey Police to deliver on the priorities the public have told her are the most important where they live.

Since winning the election in May last year, the Commissioner and her deputy Ellie Vesey-Thompson have been out across the county speaking to residents, joining police officers and staff on the frontline and visiting those services and projects the office commissions across the county to support victims and local communities.

In December, the Commissioner launched her Police and Crime Plan for the county which was firmly based on the priorities residents said were the most important to them such as the safety of our local roads, tackling anti-social behaviour and ensuring the safety of women and girls in our communities.

It followed the widest consultation with the public and our partners that the PCC’s office has ever undertaken and will form the basis on which the Commissioner will be holding the Chief Constable to account over the next two years.

In the last year, the Commissioner’s office has awarded over £4million to projects and services aimed at making our communities safer, reducing re-offending and supporting victims to cope and recover.

This has included securing over £2m in extra government funding which has provided more money to help tackle domestic abuse and sexual violence as well as Safer Streets funding which has helped improve safety for women and girls using the Basingstoke Canal in Woking and combat burglaries in the Tandridge area.

Major new services to tackle stalking and child criminal exploitation and a service aimed at the perpetrators of domestic abuse have also been launched.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “It has been a real privilege to serve the people of Surrey over the last year and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it so far.

“I know from speaking to the Surrey public that we all want to see more police officers on the streets of our county tackling those issues that matter most to our communities.

“Surrey Police have been working hard to recruit an extra 150 officers and operational staff over the last year with a further 98 to come in the year ahead as part of the government uplift programme.

“In February, I set my first budget for the Force and the small increase in council tax contributions from residents will mean Surrey Police are able to sustain their current policing levels and give the right support to those extra officers we are bringing in.

“There have been some big decisions to take during my first year not least on the future of the Surrey Police Headquarters which I have agreed with the Force will remain at the Mount Browne site in Guildford rather than the previously planned move to Leatherhead.

“I believe this is the right move for our officers and staff and will most of all provide the best value for money for the Surrey public.

“I would like to thank everyone who has been in contact over the last year and I am keen to hear from as many people as possible about their views on policing in Surrey so do please keep getting in touch.

“We are working on a number of ways to make it easier to engage with our office – I am holding monthly online surgeries; we are inviting the Surrey public to take part in my performance meetings with the Chief Constable and there are plans to host community events across the county in the near future.

“The most important part of my role is being the representative of you, the Surrey public, and I look forward to working with residents, Surrey Police and our partners across the county to ensure we provide you with the best policing service possible.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend

Commissioner invites residents to share views in monthly Surgery

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend has launched public surgeries for residents as part of her commitment to enhance the voice of local people in policing Surrey.

The monthly Surgery meetings will offer residents with questions or a concern about the performance or oversight of Surrey Police the ability to receive a response directly from the Commissioner, who will work with them to identify the best route for their enquiry, and discuss any actions that can be taken or supported by the her Office and the Force.

Residents are invited to book a 20-minute slot to discuss their feedback in the evening of the first Friday of every month, lasting one hour between 17:00-18:00. The next Surgeries will take place on 06 May and 03 June.

You can find out more or request a meeting with your Commissioner by visiting our Public Surgeries page. Surgery meetings are limited to six sessions each month and must be confirmed by the Commissioner’s PA team.

Representing the views of residents is a key responsibility of the Commissioner and an important part of monitoring Surrey Police’s performance and holding the Chief Constable to account.

The meetings follow the publication of the Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan that reflects the priorities the public would like Surrey Police to focus on in the next three years.

The Plan includes strengthening relationships between Surrey residents and Surrey Police, including improving awareness of the role of the Commissioner in improving the service that individuals who report or are affected by a crime receive.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “When I was elected as your Commissioner, I promised to keep the views of Surrey residents at the heart of my policing plans for the county.

“I’ve launched these meetings so I can be as accessible as possible. This is just part of the wider work that I’m undertaken with my Office to raise awareness and grow our engagement with residents and other stakeholders , that includes a return to live Performance and Accountability meetings based on the topics that you tell us are most relevant.”

Policing levels sustained across Surrey after Commissioner’s council tax proposal agreed

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

Policing levels across Surrey will be sustained over the coming year after Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend’s proposed council tax precept rise was agreed earlier today.

The Commissioner’s suggested 3.5% increase for the policing element of the council tax will go ahead after a unanimous vote from the county’s Police and Crime Panel during a meeting at County Hall in Reigate this morning.

One of the PCC’s key responsibilities is to set the overall budget for Surrey Police including determining the level of council tax raised for policing in the county, known as the precept, which funds the Force together with a grant from central government.

The PCC said while policing is facing a significant rise in costs, the precept increase will mean Surrey Police is able to maintain policing levels across the county over the next year.

The policing element of an average Band D Council Tax bill will now be set at £295.57 – an increase of £10 a year or 83p a week. It equates to around a 3.5% increase across all council tax bands.

The PCC’s office carried out a public consultation throughout December and early January in which around 2,700 respondents answered a survey with their views. Residents were given three options – whether they would be prepared to pay the suggested 83p extra a month on their council tax bill – or a higher or lower figure.

Around 60% of respondents said they would support the 83p increase or a higher rise. Just under 40% voted for a lower figure.

Combined with Surrey Police’s share of extra officers from the government’s uplift programme, last year’s increase in the policing element of the council tax meant the Force was able to add 150 officers and operational staff to their ranks. In 2022/23, the government’s uplift programme will mean the Force can recruit around 98 more police officers.

PCC Lisa Townsend said: “The public have told me loud and clear that they want to see more police officers in our communities tackling those issues that matter most to them.

“This increase will mean Surrey Police are able to sustain their current policing levels and give the right support to those extra officers we are bringing in as part of the government’s uplift programme.

“It is always difficult to ask the public for more money, especially in the current financial climate with the cost of living increasing for us all so I haven’t taken this decision lightly.

“But I wanted to ensure we didn’t take a backwards step in the service we provide to our residents and risk the hard work that has gone into increasing police numbers in recent years being undone.

“I launched my Police and Crime Plan in December which was firmly based on the priorities that residents told me they felt were the most important such as the safety of our local roads, tackling anti-social behaviour, combatting drugs and ensuring the safety of women and girls in our communities.

“In order to deliver on those priorities and maintain that vital role in keeping our communities safe during these difficult times, I believe we must ensure we have the right resources in place. The budget for my office was also discussed at the meeting and the panel did recommend that I review it but I am pleased that the precept was unanimously approved.

“I would like to thank everyone who took the time to fill in our survey and give us their views – we received nearly 1,500 comments from people with a range of opinions on policing in this county.

“I am determined during my time as Commissioner to provide the Surrey public with the best service we can and to support our policing teams across the county in the brilliant job they do protecting our residents.”

Council Tax 2022/23 – Commissioner seeks views of residents on police funding in Surrey

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend is asking the public whether they would be prepared to pay a little extra to support police teams in Surrey over the coming year.

Residents are being urged to fill in a brief survey and share their views on whether they would support a small rise in council tax so that policing levels can be sustained in communities across the county.

The Commissioner said that like all public services, policing is facing a significant rise in costs in the current financial climate and in order to maintain the current position, an increase of some kind will likely be necessary.

The public are being invited to have their say on whether they would agree to pay an extra 83p a month on an average council tax bill.

The short online survey can be filled in here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/YYOV80/

One of the PCC’s key responsibilities is to set the overall budget for Surrey Police including determining the level of council tax raised for policing in the county, known as the precept, which funds the Force together with a grant from central government.

The Home Office have given PCCs across the country the flexibility to increase the policing element of a Band D Council Tax bill by £10 a year or an extra 83p a month – the equivalent of around 3.5% across all bands.

The Commissioner is asking the public to fill in her survey to let her know whether they would be prepared to pay the extra 83p – or a higher or lower figure.

Combined with Surrey Police’s share of extra officers from the government’s uplift programme, last year’s increase in the policing element of the council tax meant the Force was able to add 150 officers and operational staff to their ranks.

The increase also helped retain vital operational support staff, such as forensic staff, 999 call handlers and specialist digital investigators, helped fight online fraud and ensuring better crime prevention. In 2022/23, Surrey Police’s share of the uplift programme will mean they can recruit around 70 more police officers.

Earlier this week, the Commissioner launched her Police and Crime Plan for the county which set out the key priorities the public have told her they want Surrey Police to focus on in the next three years.

PCC Lisa Townsend said: “My Police and Crime Plan places a real focus on making sure we not only keep our communities safe but that those that live in them feel safe too.

“I am determined during my time as Commissioner to provide the Surrey public with the very best value for money for their policing service and to put as many officers and staff as possible into our police teams to ensure we protect our residents.

“But in order to achieve that, I must ensure the Chief Constable has the right resources at his disposal.

“The public have told me they want to see more police on their streets and Surrey Police has made real strides in recent years to bolster the ranks of officers and staff by around 300 with more to come this year. Since I took office I have seen first-hand what a vital role they have played in our communities in really difficult circumstances.

“But all public services are facing a tough future with rising costs and we are not immune in policing. I don’t want to see the hard work that has gone into providing a much needed boost to our policing numbers being undone and that is why I am asking the Surrey public for their support during these challenging times.

“But I really want to know what they think so I would ask everyone to take a minute to fill out our brief survey and give me their views.”

The consultation will close at 9.00am on Tuesday 4 January 2022. For more information – visit https://www.surrey-pcc.gov.uk/council-tax-2022-23/

Cover of the Police and Crime Plan 2021-25

“The safety of our communities must remain at the heart of policing in Surrey” – Commissioner Lisa Townsend unveils her Police and Crime Plan

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has pledged to keep the safety of communities at the heart of policing in Surrey as she today unveiled her first Police and Crime Plan.

The Plan, which is published today, is designed to set out the strategic direction for Surrey Police and those key areas the Commissioner believes the Force needs to focus on for the next three years.

The Commissioner has set out key five priorities which the Surrey public have told her are the most important to them:

  • Reducing violence against women and girls in Surrey
  • Protecting people from harm in Surrey
  • Working with Surrey communities so that they feel safe
  • Strengthening relationships between Surrey Police and Surrey residents
  • Ensuring safer Surrey roads

Read the Plan here.

The Plan will run during the Commissioner’s current term of office until 2025 and provides the basis for how she holds the Chief Constable to account.

As part of the development of the plan, the widest consultation process ever carried out by the PCC’s office took place over recent months.

Deputy Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson 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.

In addition, nearly 2,600 Surrey residents took part in a county-wide survey to have their say on what they would like to see in the plan.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “It is really important to me that my plan reflects the views of Surrey residents and that their priorities are my priorities.

“Earlier this year we undertook a huge consultation exercise to get a broad range of views from both the public and those key partners we work with on what they would like to see from their police service.

“It is clear that there are issues that consistently cause concern such as speeding, anti-social behaviour, drugs and the safety of women and girls in our communities.

“I want to thank everyone who took part in our consultation process – your contribution has been invaluable in drawing this plan together.

“We’ve listened and this plan is very much based on the conversations we’ve had and the comments we’ve received on what is most important to people where they live and work.

“It is vital we strive to provide that visible police presence the public want in their communities, tackle those crimes and issues that affect our local communities and support victims and the most vulnerable in our society.

“The last 18 months have been particularly difficult for everyone and it will take time to recover from the lasting effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. That is why I believe it is more important than ever that we strengthen those relationships between our police teams and local communities and ensure we put their safety at the very heart of our plans.

“In order to achieve that and deliver on the priorities set out in my plan – I need to ensure that the Chief Constable has the right resources and that our policing teams are given the necessary support.

“In the coming days I will be consulting with the public again on my plans for this year’s council tax precept and asking for their support in these challenging times.

“Surrey is a fantastic place to live and work and I am committed to using this plan and working with the Chief Constable to continue providing the best policing service we can for our residents.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend next to Surrey Police HQ sign

Surrey Police Headquarters to remain in Guildford following landmark decision

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The Surrey Police Headquarters will remain at the Mount Browne site in Guildford following a landmark decision made by the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Force, it was announced today.

Previous plans to build a new HQ and Eastern operating base in Leatherhead have been halted in favour of redeveloping the current site which has been home to Surrey Police for the last 70 years.

The decision to remain at Mount Browne was agreed by PCC Lisa Townsend and the Force’s Chief Officer team on Monday (22nd November) following an independent review carried out on the future of the Surrey Police estate.

The Commissioner said that the policing landscape had ‘shifted significantly’ in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and that having considered all options, redeveloping the Guildford site offered the best value for money for the Surrey public.

The former Electrical Research Association (ERA) and Cobham Industries site in Leatherhead was purchased in March 2019 with the intention of replacing a number of existing police locations in the county, including the current HQ in Guildford.

However, plans to develop the site were paused in June this year whilst an independent review, commissioned by Surrey Police, was carried by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accounting (CIPFA) to look specifically at the financial implications of the project.

Following recommendations from CIPFA, it was decided three options would considered for the future – whether to continue with plans for the Leatherhead base, to look at an alternative site elsewhere in the county or to redevelop the current HQ at Mount Browne.

Following a detailed assessment – a decision was taken that the best option to create a policing base fit for a modern day police force while providing the best value for money for the public was to redevelop Mount Browne.

Whilst plans for the site are still very much in the early stages, the development will take place in phases including a new joint Contact Centre and Force Control Room, a better location for the internationally renowned Surrey Police Dog School, a new Forensic Hub and improved facilities for training and accommodation.

This exciting new chapter will renew our Mount Browne site for the officers and staff of the future. The site in Leatherhead will also now be sold.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “Designing a new headquarters is probably the biggest single investment that Surrey Police will ever make and it is vital we get it right.

“The most important factor for me is that we provide value for money for our residents and deliver an even better policing service for them.

“Our officers and staff deserve the very best support and working environment we can provide for them and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to make sure we are making a sound investment for their future.

“Back in 2019, a decision was taken to build a new headquarters site in Leatherhead and I can fully understand the reasons why. But since then the policing landscape has shifted significantly in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, especially in the way the Surrey Police workforce operate in terms of remote working.

“In light of that, I believe that remaining at Mount Browne is the right option for both Surrey Police and the public we serve.

“I wholeheartedly agree with the Chief Constable that staying as we are is not an option for the future. So we must ensure the plan for the proposed redevelopment reflects the dynamic and forward thinking Force we want Surrey Police to be.

“This is an exciting time for Surrey Police and my office will be working closely with the Force and the project team going forward to make sure we deliver a new headquarters we can all be proud of.”

Chief Constable Gavin Stephens said: “Although Leatherhead offered us a new alternative to our headquarters, both in design and location, it had become clear that it was becoming increasingly harder to achieve our long-term dreams and ambitions.

“The pandemic has presented new opportunities to re-think how we can use our Mount Browne site and retain an estate that has been a part of Surrey Police’s history for more than 70 years. This announcement is an exciting opportunity for us to shape and design the look and feel of the Force for future generations.”

Commissioner Lisa Townsend takes national lead on mental health and custody

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend has become the national lead for mental health and custody for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC).

Lisa will guide best practise and the priorities of PCCs across the country, including strengthening the support available to those affected by mental ill-health and encouraging best practise in police custody.

The position will build on Lisa’s previous experience of supporting the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Mental Health, working alongside charities and the Centre for Mental Health to develop policies to put forward to the Government.

Lisa will lead the response from PCC’s to the Government on topics including the relationship between mental health service provision, police time spent attending to incidents and reducing offending.

The custody portfolio will champion the most effective processes for the detention and care of individuals, including continuous improvement of Independent Custody Visiting Schemes delivered by PCCs in England and Wales.

Independent Custody Visitors are volunteers who visit police stations to carry out important checks on the conditions of custody and the welfare of those who are detained. In Surrey, each of the three custody suites is visited five times a month by a team of 40 ICVs.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “The mental health of our communities has an enormous impact on policing across the UK, and often places

police officers first at the scene in times of crisis.

“I’m excited to lead Police and Crime Commissioners and police forces right across the country, who have close relationships with health services and local organisations to strengthen the support for individuals affected by mental ill-health. This includes reducing the number of individuals who are vulnerable to criminal exploitation because of mental health concerns.

“In the last year, health services have faced enormous strain – as Commissioners, I believe there is much we can do together with local organisations to develop new initiatives and support impactful projects that will protect more individuals from harm.

“The Custody Portfolio is of equal importance to me and offers a chance to make further improvements in this less visible area of policing.”

Lisa will be supported by Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell, who is Deputy Lead for Mental Health and Custody.