Category: Surrey Police finances

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Planning application submitted for Surrey Police’s Eastern Divisional Headquarters in Leatherhead

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

Surrey Police has submitted its planning application for the development of its Eastern Divisional Headquarters in Leatherhead.

Following the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in the construction of Reigate Police Station in September 2023, the Eastern Divisional HQ has been temporarily based at the former Surrey Fire & Rescue Services (SFRS) headquarters at Wray Park in Reigate.

Working closely with commercial surveyors Vail Williams, a number of options across the east of the county were reviewed, and a recommendation was approved last year at the Estates Strategy Board to base the Eastern Divisional HQ on a site on Cleeve Road in Leatherhead.

This site (the former Electrical Research Association (ERA) and Cobham Industries site) was purchased by Surrey Police in 2018 with a view to developing a new, purpose-built Force headquarters.

Plans submitted

However, following a review of the programme in November 2021, the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Surrey Police Chief Officer team took the decision to retain Mount Browne, in Guildford, as the Force Headquarters, and redevelop the existing site.

The site at Leatherhead will provide the opportunity to build a bespoke, permanent divisional headquarters that will be sustainable, environmentally friendly, and ensure our officers and staff have the facilities they need to investigate crime and keep communities safe.

Late last year, the Force held a public consultation event with local residents, businesses, councillors, and community group representatives to share initial plans and gather feedback from those in the local area.

The Force is also working closely with key stakeholders in the community including, including Mole Valley District Council, to ensure that we can deliver the best possible service to our communities, both now and in the future. 

“Exciting development”

In addition to the planning application for part of the site to become the Force’s Eastern Divisional HQ, an application has also been submitted to develop an area of the site into affordable housing.

Deputy Chief Constable Nev Kemp said: “Submitting this planning application is a key step in our journey to building a permanent location for us to deliver our policing operations for our communities in East Surrey.

“Our focus throughout these early stages has been on finding a site that will enable our staff and officers to be there for us when our communities need us most, to prevent and investigate crime, and to keep people safe.

“Having an Eastern Divisional HQ that is fit for purpose, serving both the public and our teams, is vital. Progressing with this application will enable us to create an environment where we can all achieve this.

“This is an exciting development that will further support Surrey Police continuing performance improvements.”

Image of the plans for Surrey Police’s headquarters at Mount Browne in Guildford

Commissioner calls on Government to consider national insurance funding

Posted on | by Nathan Rees

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has urged the Government to carefully consider how it will compensate police forces for the rise in employer’s national insurance amid fears Surrey Police could be left with a hefty bill to pay.

The Commissioner has written to the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper outlining her concerns over how policing will meet the costs of the increase in NI contributions announced as part of last month’s budget.

The Home Secretary told the annual conference of the National Police Chiefs’ Council and Association of Police and Crime Commissioners yesterday that the Treasury will ensure police forces will not lose out as a result of the changes.

The Commissioner said she welcomes that announcement but fears that if the current ‘flawed’ police funding formula is used to allocate additional money to cover the rise, it could leave Surrey Police with a significant shortfall.

You can read the full letter HERE.

Funding shortfall feared

The letter states that 80% of the Surrey Police budget goes on its workforce. Calculations predict the proposed increase in NI would add approximately £4.5m to the Force’s costs which is the equivalent of around 100 police officers.

Earlier this year, the additional grant given to fund the police pay increase over 2.5% was distributed by the Home Office using formula shares.

This left Surrey Police with a shortfall of around £1m compared to had it been distributed in line with total budget or headcount which had to be found through further efficiencies and service reductions.

The Commissioner said she feared the same situation will happen again if the additional money to cover the national insurance rise is distributed using the funding formula.

Surrey Police has already delivered over £80m of savings over the last 10 years and will need to find a further £23m of savings over the next four years to just maintain services as they are.

Under pressure

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “Surrey Police is making great strides in fighting crime and improving the policing service it provides to our residents.

“I do not want to see that progress hampered by extra challenges to a budget which is already under considerable strain.

“That is why I am urging the Government to ensure the Force and the Surrey public are not left unfairly short-changed by the employer’s national insurance rise announced in the budget.

“I will do everything in my power to ensure that frontline policing and the service our residents receive in our local communities is protected.

But the ability of the Chief Constable and I to balance the budget is becoming increasingly difficult and this potential extra burden will only add to that pressure.

‘Service would be impacted’

“Later this winter, I will be setting the budget for policing for the next year including the level of council tax contributions the Surrey public pay for policing which is already the highest in the country.

“It cannot be fair that they are being asked to pay for an NI increase that has been imposed on us and uses a system that unfairly penalises individual forces.

“Therefore I am calling on the Home Office to use a different methodology to divide up the NI funding grant, such as total wages and headcount, that more closely reflects the actual costs incurred.

“Otherwise, Surrey Police could be left footing a substantial bill to cover the shortfall, which will inevitably impact the service it can provide to our residents.”

“A landmark moment”: Commissioner hails green light for redevelopment of Surrey Police HQ

Posted on | by Nathan Rees

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has welcomed the decision to approve planning permission for the redevelopment of Surrey Police’s headquarters as a significant milestone for the Force.

Two planning applications were submitted to Guildford Borough Council in April this year to redevelop the current Mount Browne HQ on the outskirts of the town and for a new access road to the site.

The Council’s Planning Committee met on Wednesday this week, November 6, where councillors voted to grant planning permission, subject to legal agreement. 

There will now follow a six-week judicial review period before the Force can take decisions on the next steps.

“A landmark moment”

The Commissioner decided in 2021 that the Force should remain at Mount Browne, rather than seek a new location.

The redevelopment plans include the replacing of accommodation blocks with a new Contact and Deployment Centre, the modernisation of the world-renowned Dog School, a new car park, accommodation for students, and the restoration of ancient woodland.

The redevelopment plans include new accommodation for students and kennels for dogs, a decked car park with electric vehicle charging points, and the restoration of some ancient woodland.

The historic Old House will be retained with a new courtyard wing.

Image of the plans for Surrey Police’s headquarters at Mount Browne in Guildford

Lisa said: “The planning approval is really exciting news and represents a landmark moment in the history of Surrey Police.

“There are now some additional legal stages to go through in the coming weeks before we can take the initial steps towards redevelopment, which is an important part of the process.

“However, this week’s decision marks a significant milestone for the Force.

“Mount Browne has been Surrey Police’s home for over 70 years, but the buildings here are run down, expensive to maintain and simply no longer meet the requirements of a modern police force.

The current site, pictured from the air

“The redevelopment will offer our amazing officers, staff and volunteers a vastly improved working environment that is sustainable for the Force, both financially and environmentally.

“The most important factor for me has always been that we provide value for money for our residents and deliver an even better policing service for them in the future.

“This decision means we can move onto the next stage and I look forward to being able to share more about our plans in the near future.”

female police officer in hat in foreground of a photo of new police officers standing to attention at the Surrey Police headquarters

Frontline policing protected as Commissioner’s budget proposal agreed

Posted on | by Nathan Rees

The Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said frontline policing across Surrey will be protected over the coming year after her proposed council tax rise was agreed earlier today.

The Commissioner’s suggested increase of just over 5% for the policing element of the council tax will go ahead after members of the county’s Police and Crime Panel voted to support her proposal during a meeting at Woodhatch Place in Reigate this morning.

The overall budget plans for Surrey Police were outlined to the Panel today including 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 Commissioner said policing is facing significant financial challenges and the Chief Constable had been clear that without a precept increase, the Force would have to make cuts which would ultimately affect the service to Surrey residents.

However today’s decision will mean Surrey Police can continue to protect frontline services, enabling policing teams to tackle those issues important to the public and take the fight to criminals in our communities.

The policing element of an average Band D Council Tax bill will now be set at £310.57– an increase of £15 a year or £1.25 a month. It equates to around a 5.07% increase across all council tax bands.

For every pound of the precept level set, Surrey Police is funded by an extra half a million pounds. The Commissioner has said the council tax contributions make a huge difference to the service our hard-working officers and staff provide to the county and thanked residents for their ongoing support.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend stands outside in front of sign with office logo


The Commissioner’s office carried out a public consultation throughout December and early January in which over 3,100 respondents answered a survey with their views.

Residents were given three options – whether they would be prepared to pay the suggested £15 extra a year on their council tax bill, a figure between £10 and £15 or a figure lower than £10.

Around 57% of respondents said they would support the £15 increase, 12% voted for a figure between £10 and £15 and the remaining 31% said they would be willing to pay a lower figure.

Those who responded to the survey pinpointed burglary, anti-social behaviour and preventing neighbourhood crime as the three areas of policing they would most like to see Surrey Police focus on over the coming year.

The Commissioner said that even with the precept increase this year, Surrey Police will still need to find £17m of savings over the next four years – in addition to the £80m that has already been taken out over the last decade.

“450 extra officers and operational policing staff will have been recruited into the Force since 2019”

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “Asking the public for more money this year has been an incredibly difficult decision and I have thought long and hard about the precept proposal that I put before the Police and Crime Panel today.

“I am all too aware the cost of living crisis is putting a huge squeeze on everyone’s finances. But the harsh reality is that policing is also being seriously impacted by the current financial climate too.

“There is huge pressure on pay, energy and fuel costs and the stark rise in inflation means the Surrey Police budget is under considerable strain like never before.

“When I was elected as Commissioner in 2021, I committed to put as many police officers on our streets as possible and since I have been in post, the public have told me loud and clear that is what they want to see.

“Surrey Police is currently on track to recruit the extra 98 police officers which is Surrey’s share this year of the government’s national uplift programme which I know residents are eager to see out in our communities.

“That will mean over 450 extra officers and operational policing staff will have been recruited into the Force since 2019 which I believe will make Surrey Police the strongest it has been in a generation.

“A huge amount of hard work has gone into recruiting those extra numbers but in order to maintain these levels, it is crucial that we give them the right support, training and development.

“This will mean we can get more of them out and about in our communities as soon as we can keeping people safe during these difficult times.

“I would like to thank everyone who took the time to fill in our survey and give us their opinions on policing in Surrey. Over 3,000 people took part and once again showed their support for our policing teams with 57% backing the full £15 a year increase.

“We also received over 1,600 comments on a range of topics which will help inform the conversations my office has with the Force on what is important to our residents.

“Surrey Police are making progress in those areas that matter to our communities. The number of burglaries being solved is on the increase, a huge focus has been put into making our communities safer for women and girls and Surrey Police received an outstanding rating from our inspectors on preventing crime.

“But we want to do even better. In the last few weeks I have recruited Surrey’s new Chief Constable Tim De Meyer and I am determined to give him the right resources he needs so we can provide the Surrey public with the best service possible to our communities.”

Council Tax 2023/24 – PCC urges residents to have their say on police funding in Surrey for the coming year

Posted on | by James Smith

The Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend is urging Surrey residents to have their say on what they would be prepared to pay to support policing teams in their communities over the coming year.

The Commissioner has today launched her annual consultation on the level of council tax residents will pay for policing in the county.

Those who live and work in Surrey are being invited to complete a brief survey and share their views on whether they would support an increase on their council tax bills in 2023/24.

The Commissioner said it is an extremely difficult decision to make this year with household budgets being squeezed by the cost of living crisis.

But with inflation continuing to rise, the Commissioner says an increase of some kind will likely be necessary just for the Force to maintain its current position and keep pace with pay, fuel and energy costs.

The public are being invited to have their say on three options – whether they would agree to pay an extra £15 a year on an average council tax bill which would help Surrey Police maintain its current position and look to improve services, between £10 and £15 a year extra which would allow them to keep their heads above water or less than £10 which would likely mean a reduction in the service to communities.

The short online survey can be filled in here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/counciltax2023/

Decorative image with text. Have your say: Commissioner's council tax survey 2023/24


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.

Recognising the increased pressure on police budgets, the Home Office announced this week that they have given PCCs across the country the flexibility to increase the policing element of a Band D council tax bill by £15 a year or an extra £1.25 a month – the equivalent of just over 5% across all bands in Surrey.

PCC Lisa Townsend said: “I am under no illusion that the cost of living crisis we are all facing is putting a huge squeeze on household budgets and asking the public for more money at this time is incredibly difficult.

“But the reality is that policing is being seriously impacted too. There is huge pressure on pay, energy and fuel costs and the stark rise in inflation means the Surrey Police budget is under considerable strain.

“The government announced last week it was giving PCCs the ability to add £15 a year on an average household council tax bill. That amount would allow Surrey Police to maintain its current position and look to improve services over the coming year. A lesser figure between £10 and £15 would enable the Force to keep pace with pay, energy and fuel costs and keep their heads above water. 

“However, the Chief Constable has been clear with me that anything less than £10 would mean further savings will have to be made and that our service to the public will be impacted.

“Last year, the majority of those who took part in our poll voted for a council tax increase to support our policing teams and I really want to know whether you would be willing to continue that support again in what is a challenging time for us all.

“Surrey Police are making progress in those areas I know are important to people where they live. The number of burglaries being solved is on the increase, a huge focus has been put into making our communities safer for women and girls and Surrey Police received an outstanding rating from our inspectors on preventing crime.

“The Force is also on course to recruit the extra 98 police officers which is Surrey’s share this year of the government’s national uplift programme which I know residents are eager to see out on our streets.

“That will mean over 450 extra officers and operational policing staff will have been recruited into the Force since 2019.  I have had the pleasure of meeting lots of these new recruits and many are already out in our communities making a real difference.

“I am really keen to ensure we don’t take a backward step in the service we provide or risk undoing the hard work that has gone into increasing police numbers in recent years.

“That is why I am asking the Surrey public for their continued support during what is a challenging time for us all.

“Surrey Police has a transformation programme underway looking at all areas of Force spending and they already need to find £21.5m in savings over the next four years which is going to be tough.

“But I really want to know what the people of Surrey think that increase should be 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 12pm on Monday 16th January 2023. For more information, visit our council tax 2023/24 page.

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/

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.”

asian female police contact staff

PCC calls for government to consider police staff funding

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey David Munro is calling on the government to consider funding for police staff alongside the rollout of an extra 20,000 police officers nationally.

The PCC has written to the Chancellor Rishi Sunak outlining his concerns that underfunding staff roles will result in “reverse civilianisation” where police officers will end up doing these jobs in years to come.

The Commissioner said modern policing was ‘a team effort’ requiring staff in specialist positions and the Police Funding Settlement, published in Parliament earlier this month, did not recognise their valuable contribution.

He urged the Chancellor to consider funding for police staff in the next Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) which is expected later this year.

Around £415m of government funding in 2021/22 will pay for the recruitment and training of the next tranche of new police officers, but is not extended to police staff. Surrey Police’s share will mean they will receive funding for a further 73 officers over the next year.

In addition, the PCC’s recently agreed council tax precept rise for the next financial year will mean an extra 10 officer and 67 operational support roles will also be added to the ranks.

PCC David Munro said: “Surrey residents tell me they want to see more police offices in their communities so of course I welcome the government’s commitment to adding 20,000 nationwide. But we need to make sure we get the balance right.

“Over the years specialist staff have been employed to ensure that officers can spend more time doing what they do best – being on the streets and catching criminals – and yet the valuable contribution these staff make does not seem to recognised in the settlement. The skills of a warranted officer are very different to those of, for example, a contact centre operative or analyst.

“The Treasury is rightly calling for police forces to become more efficient and here in Surrey we have delivered £75m in savings over the last 10 years and are budgeting for a further £6m in the year ahead.

“However I am concerned that with all the focus on police officer numbers, future savings can only come from reductions in police staff. This will mean over time that trained warranted officers will be required to do roles previously undertaken by police staff for which they are ill-equipped and not really what they joined the Force for in the first place.

“This “reverse civilianisation” is very wasteful not only of resources but also of talent.”

In the same letter, the PCC also urged that the opportunity was taken in the next CSR to review the central grant system used to allocate funds to police forces across England and Wales.

In 2021/22, Surrey residents will pay 55%of the total funding for Surrey Police through council tax, compared with 45% from Central Government (£143m and £119m).

The PCC said the current formula based on the central government grant system left Surrey short-changed: “Using the current grant system as the basis for allocation puts us at an unfair disadvantage. A more equitable distribution would be based on total net revenue budget; putting Surrey Police on a fair footing with other forces of a similar size.”

Read the full letter to the Chancellor here.

Extra officers and operational support roles set for Surrey Police after PCC’s council tax proposal agreed

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

Surrey Police’s ranks will be boosted by extra officers and operational support roles over the coming year after Police and Crime Commissioner David Munro’s proposed council tax precept rise was agreed earlier today.

The PCC’s suggested 5.5% increase for the policing element of the council tax was considered by the county’s Police and Crime Panel during an online meeting this morning.

Although the majority of the panel members present didn’t support the proposal, there were insufficient votes to veto it and the precept was agreed.

Combined with Surrey Police’s next allocation of the 20,000 officers promised by government nationally, it means the Force can add 150 police officer and operational posts to its establishment during 2021/22.

These roles will bolster numbers in those crucial areas needed to increase visibility, improve our public contact and provide that essential operational support to our frontline officers.

The agreed rise will allow the Force to invest in an additional 10 officer and 67 operational support staff roles including:

• A new team of officers focused on reducing the most serious accidents on our roads

‚Ä¢ A dedicated rural crime team to tackle and prevent issues in the county’s rural communities

• More police staff focused on assisting local investigations, such as interviewing suspects, to allow police officers to stay out visible in communities

• Trained intelligence gathering and research analysts to gather information on criminal gangs operating in Surrey and help target those causing the most harm in our communities

• More police roles focused on engaging with the public and making it easier to contact Surrey Police via digital means and the 101 service.

• Additional funding to provide key support services for victims of crime Рin particular domestic violence, stalking and child abuse.

Today’s decision will mean the policing element of an average Band D Council Tax bill will be set at £285.57 – an increase of £15 a year or 29p a week. It equates to around a 5.5% increase across all council tax bands.

The PCC’s office carried out a public consultation throughout January and early February in which nearly 4,500 respondents answered a survey with their views. The survey result was extremely close with 49% of respondents agreeing with the PCC’s proposal with 51% against.

Police and Crime Commissioner David Munro said: “Police resources have been stretched to the limit over the last decade and I have pledged to do everything I can to put more officers back into our communities tackling those issues that matter to Surrey residents.

“So I’m pleased that this year’s precept has been agreed which will mean more numbers added to the Surrey Police establishment that will provide a badly needed boost to our frontline.

“When I launched our consultation in January, I said asking the public for more money during these difficult times was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make as PCC.

“That has been borne out in our survey which showed a really even split in people’s views on supporting my proposed rise and I fully appreciate the hardship lots of people are facing during this extremely difficult period.

“But I firmly believe that in these uncertain times the role our police teams play in keeping our communities safe has never been more important and that tipped the balance for me in recommending this increase.

“I would like to thank all those members of the public who took the time to fill in our survey and give us their views. We received over 2,500 comments from people with a range of views on policing in this county and I have read each and every one.

“This will help shape the conversations I have with the Chief Constable on those issues which you have told me are important to you.

“I want to ensure that our residents get the very best value for money from their police force so I will be paying close attention to ensure these extra roles are filled as quickly as possible so they can start making a difference to our communities.”