As well as the competition for the trophy, young people who are currently in Year 9 had the opportunity to take part in a range of activities, including tug of war competitions and sporting challenges organised by Active Surrey.
Brentford FC also attended to chat to attendees and hand out kit, and officers involved in conflict training gave demonstrations with riot shields and fake ‘pepper spray’.
The event aims to help build relationships and trust between Surrey Police teams and students, as well as diverting young people away from crime.
A YEAR of partnership working in Redhill has led to 25 years in prison for offenders and the seizure of 10kg of suspected cocaine.
Safer Redhill, an initiative designed to cut crime and foster pride in the town, brings together Surrey Police, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and YMCA East Surrey, as well as local business and community partners.
The initiative is supported by funding secured through the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, including £265,000 of Safer Streets funding and £58,000 from the Community Safety Fund.
The project adopts the College of Policing’s ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ framework, a three-stage approach where police ‘clear’ offenders from Redhill and work in tandem with interventions from partners to ensure it remains that way.
Campaign’s success
From joint drugs operations at Redhill train station to plain clothed officers deployed at night to spot suspicious behaviour, a huge range of activity has had extensive results, including:
155 arrests for offences including assaults, burglary, drink driving, drug supply and shoplifting
93 charges, of which 81 were charged and remanded
A combined prison time of 25 years for local offenders, with many more still to appear for trial
Two Criminal Behaviour Orders issued for anti-social behaviour and 80 Community Resolutions issued for offences such as possession of a small quantity of drugs, low value and first time shoplifting offences and minor public order incidents
Over £7,000 worth of fines, court costs and victim surcharges issued by the courts
86 drug seizures, including 10kg of suspected cocaine
£89,000 cash recovered and weapons taken off the streets
15 vehicles seized and driving disqualification penalties issued that total 8.5 years.
Alongside enforcement activity, the local policing team has built strong relationships within the town, from engaging with students at colleges and holding Meet the Beat sessions to licensing visits with the council’s Joint Enforcement Team.
‘Incredibly proud’
Borough Commander Jon Vale said: “I’m incredibly proud of the efforts of all our partners to address crime in Redhill and help people feel safer in the town.
“It’s a team effort and I’m grateful to all the businesses, organisations and residents who are supporting this project to take pride in Redhill.
“When our communities look at the number of arrests and charges we’ve made over the past year, I want to reassure residents that it’s through the work we’ve been doing that we’re able to seek out and clear this crime from the town.
“Surrey remains one of the safest counties in the UK and our enforcement activities have had a strong impact in Redhill. Since we began our increased police activity, we’ve seen a significant decrease in crimes such as shoplifting, sexual assaults, serious attacks, robbery and anti-social behaviour.”
Safer Redhill aims to have a lasting impact and there is significant work going on to improve the area.
Lasting impact
Local initiatives include solar lighting and a mural designed by young people in Memorial Park, detached youth work by the YMCA and women’s self defence classes by Redhill Boxing Club.
The latest addition to the town will be the installation of two bleed kits by the Safer Redhill partnership, which have been installed next to defibrillators as part of the town’s provision to support people in medical emergencies.
Results from the Force’s regular neighbourhood survey indicate these changes are making a difference, showing an increase in the community’s trust and confidence in the police.
Surrey Police will soon launch a bespoke survey for residents and visitors to Redhill to tell officers where to focus their continued efforts.
The answers will help the Commissioner draw up her Police and Crime Plan, which provides the blueprint for policing in Surrey until 2028.
It will be published in early 2025 and will cover her current term of office.
Lisa was re-elected for a second term of office in May this year and has pledged to ensure Surrey Police implement a ‘back-to-basics’ approach to policing in the county.
She said: “Time is running out for Surrey’s residents to put their voices at the heart of policing.
‘Get offenders off our streets’
“My survey will close on Thursday, and I’d urge anyone who hasn’t yet had their say to fill it in.
“I want Surrey Police to focus on tackling those crimes that blight our local communities and to target persistent offenders and take them off our streets.
“But it’s really important that I hear from as many people as possible about what is happening where you live and what you want to see your police teams focus on in the future.
“The Force is making great strides, with an additional 3,500 charges across all crime types in the past 12 months. We must sustain that fantastic progress, but there are challenges ahead and tough choices will have to be made on where we focus resources.
“That’s why I want to concentrate on what Surrey residents say is most important to them.”
The final in-person event takes place this Wednesday, December 11 at Haslemere Museum in Waverley borough. An online event for those who were unable to join their nearest meeting will then be hosted on January 13 next year.
Surrey residents will be given the chance to have their say on the crime and policing issues that affect their community when a series of public engagement events returns this month.
Surrey Police’s Chief Constable Tim De Meyer and Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend will launch the Policing Your Community roadshow in Guildford on Monday, September 23.
Events will take place in all 11 boroughs in the county during the autumn and winter before a final meeting takes place online in January.
The Commissioner and the Chief Constable will be joined at each event by the Borough Commander responsible for that area’s local policing.
Lisa is also preparing to launch the public consultation for her Police and Crime Plan, which will help shape the future of policing in Surrey. The Plan will inform the priorities for Surrey Police for the next four years. Current priorities include making Surrey’s roads safer and tackling violence against women and girls.
The in-person events will run from 6.30pm-8pm, while the online event will run between 6pm and 7.30pm. All are free to attend, but those who wish to join are urged to register their attendance by selecting the link for their local event below:
Lisa, who was re-elected by Surrey residents earlier this year, said: “I’m delighted to announce the return of the Policing Your Community events, which offer residents the opportunity to learn more about what our policing teams are doing to tackle crime where they live.
“Last year, hundreds of residents joined us to ask questions and discuss the issues that concern them most.
“Anti-social behaviour, police visibility and road safety were among the most frequent topics raised, and both the Force and my team are tackling your concerns.
“Listening to the views of local people is at the heart of my role, and strengthening the relationships between Surrey Police and residents is a key priority.
Listening to Surrey residents
“The Force is now the biggest it has been in a generation, with more officers on the ground than ever before, and we want to continue to boost the service that residents receive.”
Chief Constable Tim De Meyer said: “Surrey Police is determined to fight crime and protect people, to be there when we are needed and to earn public trust.
“These events enable me to listen to the people of Surrey and understand if we are achieving what we aim to do. It was a pleasure to meet so many people last year and learn about the concerns relating to crime and policing in their neighbourhoods.
“The feedback we received is reflected in the local policing plans which address the things that matter most in our communities.
“I am really looking forward to joining the Police & Crime Commissioner on these visits to listen and talk to people in the areas where they live and work.”
SURREY’S Police and Crime Commissioner has celebrated a job where “no two hours are the same” – and urged others to apply for the role.
Lisa Townsend visited Godalming during the summer to join Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Nick Boxall on patrol in the town.
PCSOs are among the most visible roles in Surrey Police, and the intelligence they gather allows the Force to build a picture of where the county’s crime hotspots lie.
Their work also helps to identify and protect Surrey’s most vulnerable residents.
The Force launched a recruitment drive for additional PCSOs earlier this year, and has now filled all roles for the September cohort.
It comes after Operation Uplift, the previous government’s drive to recruit an additional 20,000 officers across the UK, resulted in more than 50 Surrey PCSOs leaving their roles to become PCs.
“You might find our community support officers guarding a cordon after a major incident, finding a way to calm down an angry member of the public who is threatening harm, or supporting a vulnerable resident who is struggling with their mental health – sometimes all within a single shift.
“They provide a bridge between members of the public and the police who serve them, and the connections they build with residents help to safeguard the county from crime and protect the most vulnerable.
“PCSOs are so important to our residents”
“Over the course of my tenure as your Commissioner, I have spoken with thousands of Surrey residents, and I know how important PCSOs are to our communities.
“It is wonderful news that so many of our PCSOs became police officers during Operation Uplift – it’s a fantastic achievement, both for the Force and for the officers themselves.
“The changes did leave Surrey Police with vacancies to fill however, and I know that has been a real challenge for the Force who have been working hard to get our PCSO numbers back up to full strength.
“So I’m delighted that the latest PCSO course was full and those new recruits will be working in our communities across Surrey from September.
“But we still need more in our ranks so I’d encourage anyone with an interest to have a look on our recruitment pages – this is a job like no other for those who love Surrey.”
Walton-on-Thames is in bloom this summer – thanks to funding secured by Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner and key partners to make Surrey’s streets feel safer for all.
Commissioner Lisa Townsend has officially reopened the Walton Community Garden in the St John Estate after the town benefited from the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund.
Walton, Redhill and Guildford last year secured just under £1million in total through the fund, which was secured by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Elmbridge Borough Council and other key partners.
The fund has also paid for improvements to the community garden, which now features new flowerbeds, vegetable patches and a bug hotel to encourage wildlife and support biodiversity in the area.
Lisa said: “It was a real joy to join the celebrations at the community garden.
Councillor Kirsty Hewens, portfolio holder for enterprise, parking and local economy on Elmbridge Borough Council, said: “It has been wonderful to be part of the re-opening celebration today and to meet residents that will enjoy this garden.
“A real joy”
“It is important for the local community to have a safe and peaceful space to meet, and this garden will provide that space.”
The Commissioner took part in a series of activities on the day, including pebble painting and bracelet making.
St John residents also played tennis and enjoyed complimentary pizza from The Dough Shack.
Representatives from Crimestoppers, Citizens’ Advice, Surrey Police and Surrey Fire and Rescue also attended, with firefighters giving tours of their fire engine to visitors of all ages.
The community garden will remain open for all residents to pot, water, and grow plants, enabling new skills and providing a safe, secluded space to meet.
Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has hailed the dramatic improvement in how long it takes Surrey Police to answer calls for help after new figures revealed that current waiting times are the lowest on record.
The Commissioner said that in the last five months, Surrey Police has seen sustained progress in how quickly callers to the 999 and non-emergency 101 numbers are able to speak to contact centre staff.
The latest data shows that, as of this February, 97.8 per cent of 999 calls were answered within the national target of 10 seconds. This compares to only 54% in March last year, and is the highest data on Force record.
Meanwhile, the average time in February that it took Surrey Police to answer calls to the non-emergency 101 number fell to 36 seconds, the lowest wait times on Force record. This compares to 715 seconds in March 2023.
The figures have this week been verified by Surrey Police. In January 2024, the Force answered almost 93 per cent of 999 calls within ten seconds, BT has verified.
In January 2024, the Force answered almost 93 per cent of 999 calls within ten seconds. The February figures have been confirmed by the Force, and awaiting verification from call provider BT.
Inspectors visited Surrey Police during the summer as part of their Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy (PEEL) review. They rated the Force’s performance in responding to the public as ‘inadequate’ and said improvements were needed.
The Commissioner and the Chief Constable also heard residents’ experiences of contacting Surrey Police during the recent ‘Policing Your Community’ roadshow where in-person and online events were held in all 11 boroughs across the county.
Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “I know from speaking to residents that being able to get hold of Surrey Police when you need them is absolutely vital.
Lowest wait times on record
“Unfortunately there were times last year when residents calling 999 and 101 were not always getting the service they deserved and this was a situation that urgently needed to be addressed.
“I know how frustrating it has been for some people trying to get through, particularly to the non-emergency 101 during busy times.
“I have spent a lot of time in our contact centre seeing how our call handlers deal with the varied and often challenging calls they receive and they do a phenomenal job.
“But staff shortages were putting an incredible strain on them and I know the Force have been working incredibly hard to improve the situation and the service our public receive.
“Phenomenal job”
“My office has been supporting them throughout that process so I am delighted to see that the answering times are the best they have ever been.
“That means that when our residents do need to contact Surrey Police, they are having their call answered quickly and efficiently.
“This has not been a quick fix – we have seen these improvements sustained over the last five months.
“With the measures now in place, I am confident going forward that Surrey Police will maintain this level of service when responding to the public.”
FROM late-night patrols through busy town centres to standing guard at the scene of serious assaults, Surrey’s Special Constables work hard to protect and serve the public.
But many Surrey residents will know little about what it takes to step up and volunteer for the police.
Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson, right, with Special Sergeant Sophie Yeates
During the first shift, Ellie teamed up with Special Sergeant Jonathan Bancroft to patrol Guildford. They were quickly called to reports of a repeat shoplifter who had allegedly behaved abusively to staff. Jonathan took statements and reassured the victims before launching a search for the suspect.
Ellie then joined airline pilot Ally Black, who serves as a sergeant with the Roads Policing Unit based at Burpham. During the evening, Sgt Black seized an untaxed car and helped a stranded motorist who had broken down in a live lane just beyond the Hindhead Tunnel.
In late May, Ellie travelled to Epsom to meet Special Sgt Sophie Yeates, who works full-time as a teaching assistant at a Guildford school. Among other incidents, Sgt Yeates was called to two reports involving a concern for welfare during the evening.
Special Constables volunteer within one of the Force’s frontline teams, wearing a uniform and carrying the same powers and responsibilities as regular officers. They complete 14 weeks of training – one evening per week and alternate weekends – to ensure they have the knowledge and skills they need for the role.
Ellie said: “The title ‘Special Constable’ is very fitting – it really does take someone special to do this job.
“These men and women give some of their free time to making sure Surrey remains one of the safest counties in the country.
‘It takes someone special’
“I’ve think the role that Specials play is often misunderstood by the public. These volunteers are unpaid, but they wear the same uniform and have the same powers to do everything a police officer does, including making arrests. They are also often among the first to respond to emergencies.
“Joining volunteers on patrol recently has been a really eye-opening experience. It’s been wonderful to hear how much they value their time working with the Force, and the difference it makes to their lives. I’ve also hand the chance to see first-hand their courage and determination to serve the Surrey public.
“So many of the skills learned through volunteering are useful in everyday working life, including conflict resolution, keeping calm under pressure and approaching any situation with confidence.
“We have a brilliant team of Specials across Surrey, as well as many other volunteers, and I want to thank each and every one of them for the work they do to keep our county safe.”
COMMISSIONER Lisa Townsend joined a Surrey Police Community Support Office (PCSO) on a foot patrol in Guildford last week – and urged anyone with an interest in the job to apply to the Force.
On a two-hour walk through the town centre, Lisa and PCSO Chris Moyes spoke with members of the public, visited areas known for anti-social behaviour, and were called to a department store following reports of a shoplifter.
PCSOs work alongside police and share some of their powers. While they are unable to make an arrest, they can issue fixed penalty notices, demand the name and address of anyone behaving anti-socially, and take alcohol from a person aged under 18.
In Surrey, individual PCSOs are well-known for their work in the communities they patrol, and act as a visible presence to deter crime and build relationships between residents and police.
Lisa said: “Our PCSOs are absolutely vital, and I had a chance to see exactly how much good they do in Surrey during my patrol with Chris.
“During my brief visit, she was stopped by a number of people who knew her. While some had a concern to discuss, many simply wanted to say hello. This is a testament to her 21 years of service with the Force.
‘Absolutely vital’
“Two of the key priorities in my Police and Crime Plan are to protect communities from harm and work with our residents so they feel safe. PCSOs often provide that link between frontline policing and the people who live in our county.
“It’s a job like no other, and that’s what I’d urge anyone with an interest to apply. PCSOs make a huge difference to the lives of Surrey residents.”
PCSO Moyes said: “Being a PCSO is a brilliant job.
“I particularly enjoy the variety and speaking to so many different people of all ages and backgrounds.
“There’s nothing like putting a smile on a victim’s face by supporting and solving problems for them.”
Vacancies are currently available in Spelthorne, Elmbridge, Guildford, Surrey Heath, Woking and Waverley.
PCSOs work alongside Safer Neighbourhood Teams to prevent and tackle issues by building relationships and winning the trust of the public.
DEPUTY Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson joined partners at a key event to promote the welfare of Surrey’s services personnel and veterans last week.
The Surrey Armed Forces Covenant Conference 2023, organised by Surrey County Council on behalf of the Surrey Civilian Military Partnership Board, was hosted at the Pirbright Army Training Centre.
The event brought together representatives from across the public, private and third sectors to discuss the contribution made to society by the British Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.
Throughout the day, guests heard speeches from a range of former and current personnel, including WO2 Johnson Beharry VC COG, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his service in Iraq.
Two children who are supported by the Army Welfare Service and the wife of a serviceman also gave moving accounts of their experiences.
Ellie Vesey-Thompson pictured with WO2 Johnson Beharry VC
The initiative acts as an assurance that forces personnel and veterans, their spouses and their children are treated with fairness and respect and guarantees the same access to services as any other citizen.
Surrey Police is an armed forces-friendly organisation and aims to support the employment of veterans and their partners. Serving police officers are also supported if they choose to become Reservists or Cadet leaders, and the Force actively participates in Armed Forces Day.
“Those who are serving or have served in our armed forces deserve all the support we can offer them, and our current bronze status demonstrates our commitment to ensuring those who have served our country are treated fairly.
“I am pleased that further work we have done means that both our office and Surrey Police are preparing to seek silver status in the coming months.
“Many veterans choose to join the police service after leaving the forces, which is something we are proud of.
“Others may struggle to readjust to civilian life, and wherever possible, it is our responsibility to support those who have sacrificed so much.
“I am also mindful of the impact that the lifestyle of military families can have on children and young people growing up, from worries about the safety of a serving parent or guardian to the stress of moving home, changing schools and leaving friends.
“As lead for both Children and Young People and Military and Veterans on the Commissioner’s behalf, I am determined to ensure our team do all we can, alongside our partners, to support these children and young people.”
Helyn Clack, Chair of the Surrey Civilian Military Partnership Board, said: “We are very grateful to Pirbright ATC who once again hosted our annual conference.
‘Captivating’
“The theme for the event was a journey through the services and we were proud to welcome such fantastic speakers such as WO2 Beharry VC COG, who was captivating in telling us some of his stories, from childhood in Grenada to the UK, before joining the army and carrying out his acts of bravery.
“We also heard from others whose lives have been very much influenced by service life.
“We were pleased to welcome a vast array of partners who were all keen to find out more information about the outstanding work going on within Surrey to support our armed forces community.
“It’s so important that organisations throughout our county do more to support our veterans, service personnel and their families under our duty of due regard from the Armed Forces Act to ensure they are not disadvantaged.”
