Category: Strengthening relationships

Deputy Commissioner encourages current and former members of the UK Armed Forces to sign up to the Forcer Protocol

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

Earlier this year, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson spoke at the Surrey Armed Forces Covenant Conference, to launch a life-saving initiative, The Forcer Protocol, in Surrey. 

Access point

The scheme, dedicated to locating and protecting serving and former armed service personnel who go missing, provides a quick and secure access point to the missing person’s information and identifies support services and specialist aftercare to prevent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related suicide. However, it relies on current and former service personnel to sign up to it now.

Founded by Claire Lilly and named in honour of her husband Lance Corporal Alan James Forcer – a veteran who tragically took his own life due to complex PTSD – the protocol was created to ensure that no service man or woman would be left unsupported during a mental health crisis.

Adopting the Protocol in Surrey reflects a wider commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, supporting the unique needs, care and support required by current and former serving personnel.

A report by the Office of National Statistics revealed that there 253 deaths by suicide within the UK armed Forces community in 2021 – that is the equivalent of almost 5 suicides a week.

“Necessary initiative”

Ellie who holds the portfolio for military and veterans within the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner says: “The Forcer Protocol is a necessary initiative to appropriately support our armed forces community. 

“For those who have dutifully served their country, it’s our moral obligation to recognise that the experiences they’ve had on the front line may impact their quality of life back home.

“The Forcer Protocol puts in place a joined-up approach to identify vulnerable people from the armed forces community, reducing the time to locate missing persons, and then providing support and aftercare suited to their needs.

“I urge anyone who is a current or former member of the UK armed forces to sign up.  You can also sign up on behalf of a friend or family member.   It only takes a couple of minutes and could save a life.”

For more information or to sign up for yourself, a friend or a family member, please register here. 

The image shows Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, a blonde woman wearing a white shirt, standing in front of a large sign that reads 'Welcome to Surrey Police'. She is looking directly at the camera with a slight smile on her face.

Last chance to have your say on proposed police merger plans!

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed
The image shows Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, a blonde woman wearing a white shirt, standing in front of a large sign that reads 'Welcome to Surrey Police'. She is looking directly at the camera with a slight smile on her face.

It’s the last chance to have your say on whether you agree with plans to merge Surrey Police with its neighbouring forces!

Under Government proposals – Surrey Police could disappear and become part of a larger south-east ‘mega force’.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend is urging the county’s residents to let her know what they think by filling in her brief survey.

Survey closes Monday

But you’ll need to be quick – the survey closes at midnight on Monday (17 August)

It can be found here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/mergers/

Under plans for police reform announced in January, the Government intends to scrap the current 43 force system in England and Wales and create larger regional forces in their place.

It would likely mean Surrey Police will be merged with neighbouring forces to create a ‘mega force’ which could also include Sussex, Thames Valley, Kent and Hampshire.

The Commissioner has voiced her concern at the plans saying she believes it would result in police resources being pulled away from Surrey communities.

Lisa said: “I would urge anyone who lives in Surrey and is interested in the future of policing in our county to fill in my survey and make sure their voice is heard.

“Although the Government are drawing the plans up, the public are not being consulted. That is why I am urging as many people as possible to take a minute to give me their views before the survey closes on Monday.

“Whether you agree with the plans or not – this is a really important decision and I will be sharing the results of this survey with those who are making the decisions around force mergers.

‘Short changed’

“Police reform is 100% needed but I don’t believe a regional ‘mega force’ in the south east is the answer. My concern that these merger plans will leave Surrey residents short changed and dilute the service they receive from their local police teams.

“We are the safest county in the region with no major city and I do not want to see our precious police resources diverted away from communities in Surrey.

“I have been clear in my views but I know they will not be shared by everyone. That is why I am asking everyone to fill in the survey and have your say.”

For further information about the proposals, you can read the Government’s white paper ‘From local to national: a new model for policing’:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/from-local-to-national-a-new-model-for-policing  

Surrey custody scheme goes platinum again!

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

The custody visiting scheme in Surrey overseen by Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend’s office has been recognised for its outstanding work after being awarded ‘Platinum’ status for the second time.

The Independent Custody Visiting (ICV) Scheme was recognised nationally earlier this month for achieving the highest accolade possible for the quality of its work in the county.

The award cements Surrey’s place as one of the leading custody visiting schemes in the country.

Under the scheme, volunteers from the local community known as Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) make unannounced visits to Surrey Police custody to check on the rights, wellbeing, and dignity of detainees.

Surrey's ICV Scheme Manager Erika Dallinger holding award alongside Chair of ICVA Dame Anne Owers (left of image) and CEO of ICVA Sherry Ralph (right of image)
Surrey’s ICV Scheme Manager Erika Dallinger holding award alongside Chair of ICVA Dame Anne Owers (left of image) and CEO of ICVA Sherry Ralph (right of image)

172 visits

In the last year, our ICVs made 172 visits, spending a collective total of 700 hours of volunteer time across Surrey’s three custody suites.

By listening to individuals in custody, they provide valuable and independent oversight of the care that is provided when an individual is detained.

Their recommendations cover everything from ensuring that there are enough blankets in winter, to safeguarding someone who is experiencing a mental health crisis.

Visits are held at all hours and the findings are reported back to the Commissioner and Surrey Police in a cycle that promotes continuous improvement.

Code of practice

The Independent Custody Visiting Association (ICVA) judges schemes every three years based on its quality assurance framework that assesses how well schemes comply with a Code of Practice for custody.

Surrey’s ICV Scheme Manager Erika Dallinger was presented with the Platinum award at a ceremony in London award that represents the highest level of accreditation possible for schemes across the UK.

Welcoming the award, Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “Upholding the highest standards of policing in Surrey is vital in maintaining the confidence of the communities that we serve across the county.

Transparency in policing

“That is why the ICV scheme is such a crucial part of the work my office does to champion transparency in policing and hold the Chief Constable to account.

“This is only made possible by the passion and dedication invested in the scheme by every one of our volunteers, and by the ICV Scheme Manager Erika Dallinger.

“I am delighted that their hard work has been recognised again with this Platinum award which reflects the outstanding work that goes into making the ICV scheme such a success in Surrey.”

Still time to have your say on proposed police merger plans!

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

Have you had your say yet on plans to merge Surrey Police with its neighbouring forces?

Under Government proposals – Surrey could become part of a larger south-east ‘mega force’ which will police a population larger than Greater London, New York or Scotland and Wales combined.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend is urging the county’s residents to let her know what they think by filling in her brief survey.

It is not too late to take part – the survey is open until Monday 17 August and can be found here: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/mergers/

Police reform

Under plans for police reform announced in January, the Government intends to scrap the current 43 force system in England and Wales and create larger regional forces in their place.

It would likely mean Surrey Police will disappear and be merged with neighbouring forces in Sussex, Thames Valley, Kent and Hampshire.

The Commissioner has voiced her concern at the plans saying she believes it would result in police resources being pulled away from Surrey communities leaving it with a second-rate service.

Lisa said: “We have had a great response so far to the survey so but I urge anyone who lives in Surrey and is interested in the future of policing in our county to fill it in and have their say

“Policing is at a vital crossroads right now. We must move with the times and reform is certainly needed but I am really concerned that the residents of Surrey will be left short-changed by these merger plans.

“A south-east region ‘mega force’ would be policing a population of over nine million people – that is more than Scotland and Wales put together.

Safest county

“We are the safest county in the region with no major city and I fear that on a Saturday night, police teams will not be concentrated in our communities in Surrey but will be drawn to places like Dover, Oxford, Reading or Portsmouth.

“This is my view and I know it will not be shared by everyone but although the Government are drawing the plans up, the public are not being consulted.

“That is why I have launched my survey. Whether you agree with the plans or not –  I want to ensure the public of Surrey have a voice on this really important decision and is why I am asking everyone to take a few minutes to fill it in and have their say.

“I will then publish the results later this summer and share them with those who are making the decisions around force mergers.”

For further information about the proposals, you can read the Government’s white paper ‘From local to national: a new model for policing’:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/from-local-to-national-a-new-model-for-policing  

Commissioner urges Surrey residents to report anti-social behaviour and access support

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend is encouraging victims of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) in Surrey to report all concerns straightaway and to the right organisation so that problems are dealt with effectively.

The Commissioner says ASB covers a wide range of issues and it is important for residents to be aware that it is tackled by different agencies, including Surrey Police, local councils and housing providers.

Coinciding with the start of Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week, research out today by You Gov and Resolve – the UK’s leading community safety organisation – reveals that ASB continues to have a significant impact on public confidence. According to the survey, more than 1 in 4 adults (28%) say that ASB has made them feel unsafe in their local area. However, almost two-thirds (63%) of victims and witnesses who have experienced anti-social behaviour in the past three years did not report it to anyone.

Three broad categories

Under the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 and the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, ASB is defined as behaviour that ‘causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to people outside the offender’s household’. It usually falls into three broad categories: personal ASB, where an individual or group is targeted; nuisance ASB, which causes annoyance or suffering to a wider community; and environmental ASB, where behaviour affects public spaces or buildings.

Within those categories are a wide range of behaviours, including offences such as criminal damage, graffiti, taking drugs in public, anti-social use of vehicles, drunken, rowdy or threatening behaviour and vandalism. Other issues, such as persistent noise nuisance, littering or abandoned vehicles, may not always be criminal offences and are often dealt with by councils, housing providers or other agencies.

Dedicated anti-social behaviour team

Because ASB covers such a broad spectrum of incidents, responsibility is shared between a number of organisations. In Surrey, there is a dedicated anti-social behaviour team within Surrey Police that works alongside 30 partner agencies, including local councils, to tackle problems and provide lasting solutions.

The Commissioner has committed to working with Surrey Police and partners to ensure that residents feel listened to, protected and supported.  Last year, Lisa launched the Community Safety and Prevention Board to strengthen collaboration between organisations across Surrey and to close gaps in support available to residents concerned about a number of matters including ASB. The Commissioner’s office also funds Mediation Surrey to provide support free of charge that helps resolve neighbourhood disputes before they escalate.

Persistent anti-social behaviour

Alongside this, the Commissioner supports the Anti-Social Case Review process which gives victims who have reported persistent anti-social behaviour on three or more occasions over a six-month period the opportunity to request a review of their case. If the threshold is met, the local Community Safety Partnership brings together agencies including the police, councils and housing providers to review the action taken and identify whether further measures are needed. The Police and Crime Commissioner’s office provides a route for victims to challenge decisions if they remain dissatisfied after the review. 

Anti-social behaviour is an issue that is frequently raised with the Commissioner.  Lisa is currently hosting a series of Policing your Community engagement events across the county alongside Surrey Police and matters such as the dangerous use of e-bikes and catapult crime have most recently been brought up for discussion.

‘Detrimental impact’

Lisa Townsend said: “Anti-social behaviour can have a detrimental impact on people’s lives and not dealing with it effectively can be devastating.

“It’s concerning that almost two out of three people affected by anti-social behaviour do not report it.  That’s why I want to highlight the different types of anti-social behaviour and the relevant agencies to contact; the importance of timely reporting; and the support available to everyone. 

“It’s deplorable that residents affected by anti-social behaviour feel trapped and helpless as they try to go about their daily lives. I’m committed to listening to residents’ concerns, creating safer communities and providing support to victims.”

More information

Residents can find more information about the different types of ASB, reporting ASB, accessing support and the ASB Case Review process at www.healthysurrey.org.uk/community-safety/asb.   All ASB policing matters should be reported directly to Surrey Police via 101, online or by calling 999 in an emergency.

Commissioner shines a light on the role of PCSOs and celebrates all officers, staff and volunteers this Neighbourhood Policing Week

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

“Neighbourhood policing is more than a job – it’s a vocation for police officers, staff and volunteers who work hard to keep communities safe and where no two days are ever the same”. That’s according to Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, who has paid tribute to Surrey Police’s Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) to mark the start of this year’s Neighbourhood Policing Week.

Each of Surrey’s boroughs and districts have a SNT that consist of officers and staff who work together to support residents and businesses, in response to retail crime, violence against women and girls, and anti-social behaviour.  Hotspot patrols are also a vital part of neighbourhood policing as they build community engagement and strengthen partnerships.

PCSOs

Police Community Support Officers – or PCSOs – provide an important, visible presence and serve as a key liaison between the public and policing within Surrey’s SNTs. Their fundamental role is to gather information, preserve community safety by reducing conflict, and foster positive relations within neighbourhoods through targeted visible patrols. PCSOs hold designated legal powers of enforcement, although they are not fully warranted police officers.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, recently joined PCSO Huw Keepence and trainee PCSO Isobelle Robinson on patrol in Woking town centre.

Lisa said: “PCSOs provide a valuable uniformed presence within our towns and villages.  Not only do they improve confidence in public safety by developing close working relationships with businesses, community-based organisations and residents, they help to tackle anti-social behaviour and support other ongoing police operations.

‘Strong partnership work’

“It was fantastic to join Huw and Isobelle on patrol and see first-hand the difference they are making. There’s some strong partnership work and engagement happening in Woking, and it was great to look more closely at the security operation around Victoria Place.”

Huw Keepence has been a PCSO in Woking for just over two years.  He said: “I enjoy getting out into the communities that I work in, patrolling the streets and public areas to provide a real visible policing presence and actively engaging in their communities.

“I like being able to speak to people and give them the comfort of knowing that their concerns are being taken seriously and that police are actively dealing with it. It’s fulfilling to be able to help people and quell some of their fears or uncertainties”.

Isobelle Robinson, trainee PCSO, has been with the Force for six months.  She said: “The most exciting part about my job as a PCSO is that every day is a new day. You could be dealing with victims of fraud one day and the next, you’re guarding a crime scene.

“I love my job because it means that I can help those that need it the most. It’s very cliché but it’s true. I thrive on helping people and animals.”

Lisa Townsend said: “Thank you to all the PCSOs and other staff and officers who contribute to Surrey Police’s neighbourhood policing teams. Your hard work, care and dedication provide a lifeline to the communities that you serve.”

PCSO recruitment

PCSOs numbers have increased right across Surrey by almost a quarter in the year ending September 2025.  However, Surrey police recruitment is currently open until 30th June for PCSOs.  Click here for further details: www.surrey.police.uk/police-forces/surrey-police/areas/careers/careers/pcso/

New policing structure in Surrey is bedding in, says Commissioner

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

It’s business as usual for our policing teams in Surrey. That’s the message from Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend after a new policing structure for the county went live in the last month.

The Force announced that following a review of how it operates in communities across Surrey – it is moving from having three divisions in the county to two.

Previously – Waverley, Guildford, Woking and Surrey Heath made up West Surrey; East Surrey covered Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead, Tandridge and Epsom and Ewell and in North Surrey you had Spelthorne, Runnymede and Elmbridge.

Under the new model – Spelthorne and Runnymede will now become part of the West Surrey division while Elmbridge will join the Eastern Division.

Business as usual

The Commissioner said that whilst the move had been the culmination of a lot of hard work behind the scenes – the most important aspect is that the service the residents of Surrey receive is the same.

Lisa said: “All the work that has gone into the planning of this model is to ensure it will be business as usual for our policing teams. Their presence across the county will continue as normal and our communities should not notice any difference.

“This move is not about cutting costs or reducing the number of police officers in the county – on the contrary, Surrey Police has got more police officers in its ranks than ever before and that will not change.

“What this will do is enable Surrey Police to modernise its practices and ensure we have the right people in the right places to meet the increased demand and complexities of policing in 2026 and beyond.

Two unitary authority model

“It will also mean the Force structure will be more closely aligned with the two unitary authority model which the people of Surrey went to the polls on earlier this month. That will come into effect in 2027 and will mean our policing teams can continue to work closely with our partner agencies across Surrey. 

“The new model is bedding in at the moment and I will be closely monitoring its progress to ensure the Surrey public continue to receive the best policing service our teams can offer which will continue to make our communities right across Surrey safer.” 

The image shows Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, a blonde woman who wears a grey jumper, white shirt with collar, and black trousers, standing in a large room. She is smiling at someone off camera and holds papers in her hand. In the background of the room is a decal along a wall that shows a city scene.

Commissioner visits Salfords site of Surrey’s newest police hub and front counter service

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, has visited the Force’s newest police hub.

As reported in December, a site in the Redhill area has been purchased with a view to providing a permanent police station and front counter for the public.

The building stands at Perrywood Business Park in Honeycrock Lane, Salfords.

In the coming months, it will be transformed into a police base for hundreds of officers.



New hub

Commissioner Lisa Townsend, working in partnership with the Force, has been searching for a potential site in Reigate and Banstead since 2023.

The hunt began after police teams were forced to move out of the old Reigate Police Station following the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).

Many have been operating out of a temporary location at nearby Wray Park in the meantime.

The building at the business park is the only site in the area that met the requirements and will be funded by the sale of the previous Reigate Police Station.

Changes in East Surrey

Surrey Police announced plans to build a brand new Eastern Divisional HQ at a site in Leatherhead, Mole Valley, in 2024.

The land is already owned by the Commissioner as part of her estate.

However, Lisa also wanted to find another site for a police station and front counter in Reigate and Banstead.

During her visit to the new site in late March, Lisa toured the building and discussed the new layout for the site.

Local presence

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “It was wonderful to revisit our new base at the Perrywood Business Park.

“There are big changes ahead for this building, and I look forward to seeing the development progress.

“Over the years, I have spoken with thousands of residents about what matters most to them.

“A local policing presence is particularly valuable for many, and this is a really important step forwards for policing in East Surrey.”

The image shows Commissioner Lisa Townsend, a blonde woman in a yellow t-shirt, and a Surrey Police contact officer in branded uniform. Both women are wearing headsets and looking intently at a screen just off camera.

Commissioner hails “dramatic improvements” as Surrey Police becomes second-fastest at answering 999 calls

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner has hailed a “dramatic improvement” in the time it takes Surrey Police to answer and respond to 999 and 101 calls. 

Lisa Townsend praised contact centre staff and officers for a slew of significant changes, which have seen the Force climb national league tables for 999 call answering times. 

It comes as His Majesty’s Inspectorate for Constabulary and Fire lifts its ‘causes of concern’ for Surrey Police after an inspection in 2023.

During the inspection for the Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy (PEEL) review, issues around the service residents receive when they contact their police were highlighted. 

In the time since the review, the operation of Surrey Police’s contact centre – based at Force HQ in Guildford – has been overhauled. 



Contact centre overhaul

The control room and contact centre were merged, with staff now working from the same location. The number of supervisors and call takers increased, and a new grading system for triaging calls was implemented.

As a result of the changes, officers now attend the most serious calls for service – known as a Grade 1 response – within 13 minutes. This is seven minutes quicker than the 20-minute national standard. 

Non-emergency calls made to 101 are now answered six minutes faster than in December 2024, with an average answer time of 12 seconds – down from 3.4 minutes. Call abandonment rates have dropped from 36 per cent to seven per cent. 

999 calls are answered in an average of three seconds and dealt with three minutes faster. The abandonment rate has dropped from 11 per cent to two per cent. 

The Force is now the second-fastest in the country when it comes to answering 999 calls. 

“Delighted”

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “I am delighted with the dramatic improvements Surrey Police has made since our 2023 PEEL review. 

“It is fantastic news that the average waiting time for a 999 call in Surrey is now just two seconds, and that the Force is the second-fastest in the country to answer these emergency calls. 

“These changes are not only significant, but sustained. The Force’s progress continues to this day. 

“I know from speaking to residents that being able to get hold of Surrey Police when you need them is absolutely vital and a call into our contact centre can be a matter of life or death.

Commissioner’s thanks

“Since I recruited Chief Constable Tim De Meyer three years ago, a key priority for both us was making sure that when the Surrey public needed police, they receive the quick and effective response they rightly expect.

“I’d like to thank every officer and member of staff who has worked tirelessly to achieve this turnaround and deliver the results we are seeing for Surrey’s residents.

“Their efforts make a real difference to those facing some of the most challenging moments of their lives.” 

Assistant Chief Constable Sarah Grahame said: “These are not just statistics.

‘Concern’ lifted

“They represent real people receiving help more quickly; victims feeling heard; vulnerable individuals getting a timely response; and communities gaining confidence in their local police.

“Having the causes of concern lifted is a significant achievement, but it is not the end of the journey. The public’s expectations continue to rise, and so do ours. Our responsibility now is to maintain this level of service, continue to learn, and keep improving.”

His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Inspector Roy Wilsher, who has responsibility for Surrey Police, said: “I am pleased that Surrey Police has made significant progress in these areas since we raised these causes of concern.”

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.

150 arrests as repeat offenders targeted during new Safer Epsom and Ewell partnership

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Police have made 150 arrests as part of a new Safer Epsom and Ewell partnership that has been partly-funded by Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend.

Shoplifters, drug dealers, prolific offenders and those using vehicles like e-bikes and mopeds to commit crime are among those who have been targeted by policing teams.

The new initiative, designed to cut crime and foster pride in the town, brings together Surrey Police, Epsom and Ewell Borough Council, and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, as well as local business and community partners.

The project adopts the College of Policing’s ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ framework, a three-stage approach where police ‘clear’ offenders from Epsom and Ewell and work in tandem with partners to ensure criminals don’t return.

It comes after a survey of residents found drug dealing and use is a major concern. Only 26 per cent of those surveyed said they feel the borough is a safe place to live.

Safer Epsom and Ewell

Over the past six months, 150 arrests have been made. Ten ‘county lines’ drug dealing gangs have been shut down and more than £20,000-worth of class A drugs seized, along with eight knives and £20,000 in cash.

Police have used data to identify the most prolific offenders, and are working with partners in criminal justice, local authorities and housing to tackle persistent criminality. Dedicated operations to tackle violence against women and girls are also taking place.

Borough Commander Inspector Tommy Pearson said: “The community of Epsom and Ewell has the right to feel safe in the area they call home, and this partnership represents a long-term commitment to that principle. 

“Policing action over the last six months has sought to target our prolific offenders, disrupt drug county lines and reduce the harm caused by criminality for members of the community. 

“Residents were keen for action in the town, and I am hopeful, along with the fellow officers on my team, that this is evident in our efforts so far.” 

Prolific offenders targeted

Throughout December, officers from the Epsom and Ewell Safer Neighbourhood Team were deployed as part of Operation Jingle, which featured high-visibility patrols in town centres.

Detections for theft rose to 45 per cent during the operation, compared with a national average of 20 per cent.

Sergeant James Pegg of the Epsom and Ewell Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “We are determined to drive crime and disorder out of the town centre and Operation Jingle, despite the jovial name, has set a hard-line stance against theft and drug offenders.  

“The operation has been hugely successful.

County lines tackled

“Being out in the community we serve in large numbers has received positive feedback from our residents and visitors alike, and has sent a strong message to those that wish to steal and harm: you are not welcome in our town.”

In the months to come, the Force will work alongside the North East Surrey College of Technology (NESCOT), Surrey County Council, Town and Country Housing and the borough council in a bid to make lasting change.

The focus of work will fall on six key areas: housing; anti-social behaviour; improving the local environment; increasing access to opportunities and resources to help women and girls; promoting youth voice; and employment.

The Commissioner has contributed £20,000 from her dedicated Serious Violence Duty fund and helped to secure further funding from the Government’s hotspot policing grant for Safer Epsom and Ewell.

The initiative follows the success of Safer Redhill, which also used Clear, Hold, Build and saw offending drop in the town.

“Lasting legacy”

She said: “The persistent offenders who have repeatedly committed crimes in Epsom and Ewell should be very worried. The message is clear – we are coming for you.

“Safer Epsom and Ewell uses intelligence and data to crack down on place-based harm.

“I believe it will leave a lasting legacy of safer streets, stronger communities, and excellent partnership working, and I am delighted to help fund the initiative.

“I wish Surrey Police’s officers and staff, as well as our brilliant partners across the borough, every success as they begin their journey.”