Category: Role and responsibilities

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson

Lisa Townsend proposes new Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The new Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend has proposed a Deputy PCC to join her team, it was announced today.

Ellie Vesey-Thompson, who is 26, will become the youngest Deputy PCC in the country and will provide crucial support to the Commissioner with a particular focus on engaging with young people.

The role will also support the PCC on other key priorities such as violence against women and girls, domestic abuse, rural crime and pet theft.

Her nomination for the deputy position will go before the county’s Police and Crime Panel for a confirmation hearing at their next meeting on June 30.

Ellie has a background in policy, communications and youth engagement, and has worked in both public and private sector roles. Having joined the UK Youth Parliament in her early teens, she is experienced in voicing concerns for young people and representing others at all levels.

Ellie has a degree in Politics and a Graduate Diploma in Law. She has previously worked for the National Citizen Service and her most recent role was in digital design and communications.

Speaking of her decision to nominate a deputy, PCC Lisa Townsend said: “Ellie’s skills and experience make her the obvious choice, and I have seen first-hand the energy and commitment that she would bring to the post of deputy.

“A key part of her role will be about engaging with our residents in Surrey and in particular reaching out to our young people. I know she shares my passion to make a real difference to our communities and I think she will be a great asset to the PCC’s team.

“Ellie will be a fantastic deputy and I look forward to proposing her appointment to the Police and Crime Panel in June.”

Ellie was at Surrey Police’s Mount Browne Headquarters in Guildford this week to meet some of Surrey Police’s young Volunteer Police Cadets.

Outlining her plans for the role, she said: “I am honoured to have been nominated for the Deputy PCC role and I’m really excited about helping Lisa build and deliver her vision for policing in Surrey.

“I am particularly keen to enhance the work the PCC’s office does with young people in our county, and it was fantastic to meet some of the Cadets this week and learn about the role they play in the Surrey Police family.

“I aim to hit the ground running and be out and about with the PCC engaging with residents and communities across Surrey to make sure we reflect their priorities going forward.”

“Residents’ views will be at the heart of my policing plans” – new PCC Lisa Townsend takes up office following election win

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The new Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend has pledged to keep residents’ views at the heart of her plans for the future as she took up office today following her election victory.

The Commissioner spent her first day in the role at the Surrey Police Headquarters in Mount Browne meeting some of her new team and spending time with the Chief Constable Gavin Stephens.

She said she is committed to addressing those key issues that residents of Surrey have told her are important to them such as tackling anti-social behaviour in our communities, improving police visibility, making the county’s roads safer and preventing violence against women and girls.

The PCC was voted in by the Surrey public following the election last week and said she wanted to repay the faith voters had put in her by making sure their priorities were her priorities.

PCC Lisa Townsend said: “I am proud and excited to be PCC for this great county and I can’t wait to get started.

“I have already said how I want to be really visible to the residents we serve so I will be out and about in our communities as much as I possibly can to meet people and listen to their concerns.

“I also want to spend time getting to know the policing teams across the county that are doing a fantastic job in keeping people safe and getting their views on how I can best support them as PCC.

“In addition, I want to be a champion for victims and I will be putting a real focus on the commissioning work the PCC’s office carries out to protect the most vulnerable people in our society whilst doing more to make sure women and girls feel safe in Surrey.

“I had a really positive and constructive meeting with the Chief Constable this afternoon to discuss how those key issues residents have raised with me during my campaign fit in with the Force’s commitments to our communities.

“I look forward to working with Gavin in the weeks and months ahead to see where we can improve our service to the Surrey public.

“Residents across the county have told me they want to see more police on our streets and I want to work with the Force to ensure the police presence in every area is proportionate and appropriate.

“The views of our communities should be heard at a national level and I will fight to get to a better deal for residents on the amount of funding we receive from central government.

“The Surrey public have put their faith in me by electing me for this role and I want to ensure I do everything I can to repay that and help make our streets safer. If anyone has any issues they want to raise about policing in their local area – please do get in touch with me.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend

Lisa Townsend elected as next Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

Lisa Townsend has this evening been voted in as the new Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey for the next three years.

The Conservative candidate received 112,260 first preference votes from the Surrey public in the PCC election which took place on Thursday.

She was elected on second preference votes, after no candidates received more than 50% of first preference ballots.

The result was announced this afternoon in Addlestone after the votes were counted across the county. Turnout was 38.81%, compared to 28.07% in the last PCC election in 2016.

Lisa will formally start her role on Thursday 13 May and will replace the current PCC David Munro.

She said: “It is an absolute privilege and honour to become Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner and I can’t wait to get started and help Surrey Police provide a service our residents can be proud of.

“I would like to thank everyone who has supported me and the public who came out to vote. I am determined to repay the faith they have shown in me by doing everything I can in this role to be the residents voice on policing.

“I would also like to thank the outgoing Commissioner, David Munro for the dedication and care he has shown in the role for the last five years.

“I know from speaking to residents across the county during my election campaign that the job Surrey Police do a daily basis in our communities is greatly valued by the public. I look forward to working together with the Chief Constable and providing the best support I can to his officers and staff who work so hard to keep Surrey safe.”

Chief Constable of Surrey Police Gavin Stephens said: “I warmly congratulate Lisa on her election and welcome her to the Force. We will be working closely with her on her ambitions for the county and continuing to deliver ‘Our Commitments’ to our communities.

“I would also like to acknowledge the work of our outgoing Commissioner, David Munro, who has done a lot to support not only the Force, but the initiatives introduced during his tenure have made a significant difference to the residents of Surrey.”