Category: Surrey Police finances

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.”

Council Tax 2021/22 – Would you pay a bit more to boost policing numbers and support officers and staff in Surrey?

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner David Munro is asking residents whether they would be prepared to pay a bit more in council tax to boost policing numbers and support officers and staff in the county over the coming year.

The PCC is consulting with Surrey tax-payers on his proposal of a 5.5% annual increase in the amount the public pay for policing through their council tax.

The Commissioner said he believes the role police officers and staff play in Surrey’s communities is more important now than ever as the county continues to face up to challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The proposed rise, coupled with Surrey Police’s next allocation of the 20,000 officers paid for by central government, would mean the Force could add an extra 150 officers and staff to their establishment over the coming year.

The PCC is inviting the public to have their say by filling in a short online survey here.

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.

In December, the Home Office gave 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 around 5.5% across all bands.

The combination of last year’s precept together with the initial share of the national officer uplift meant Surrey Police were able to strengthen their establishment by 150 officers and staff during 2020/21.

Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, the Force are well on track to fill those posts by the end of this financial year and the PCC said he wants to match that success by adding another 150 to the ranks during 2021/22.

The government has provided ring-fenced funding for an extra 73 officers for Surrey Police for the second tranche of officers from their national uplift.

To complement that uplift in police numbers – the PCC’s proposed 5.5% rise would allow the Force to invest in an additional 10 officer and 67 staff roles including:

  • A new team of officers focused on reducing the most serious accidents on our roads
  • 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 staff 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 – in particular domestic violence, stalking and child abuse.

PCC David Munro said: “We are all living through an incredibly difficult time so deciding what I think the public should pay for their policing in Surrey over the next year is one of the hardest tasks I have faced as your Police and Crime Commissioner.

“Over the last year our police officers and staff have faced unprecedented challenges in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, putting themselves and their loved ones at risk to keep us safe. I believe the role they play in our communities during these uncertain days is more important now than ever.

“Residents across the county have consistently told me that they really value their police teams and would like to see more of them in our communities.

“This remains a key priority for me and after years of government cuts to our police service, we have a real opportunity to continue the significant strides we have made in the last few years in recruiting those badly needed extra numbers to the Surrey Police frontline.

“That is why I am proposing a 5.5% increase in the police element of council tax which would mean we could bolster officer and staff numbers in those crucial roles that are needed to increase visibility, improve our public contact and provide that essential operational support to our frontline officers.

“It is always difficult to ask the public to pay more money, particularly in these troubled times. That is why it is really important to me however to get the views and opinions of the Surrey public so I would ask everyone to take a minute to fill out our survey and let me know their thoughts.”

The consultation will close at 9.00am on Friday 5 February 2020. If you want to read more about the PCC’s proposal click here.

Together with the Surrey Police Chief Officer Team and local Borough Commanders, the PCC will also be carrying out a series of online public engagement events in every borough in the county in the next five weeks to hear people’s views in person.

You can sign up to your local event on our Engagement Events page.

Have your say as ‘Policing your Community’ events return online

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

Surrey Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey are once more teaming up to invite residents to have their say in a new series of public engagement events across Surrey.

The events in January and February will be held online, but will still provide an opportunity to ask the PCC, Chief Constable an Borough Commander responsible for policing in your community, about the issues that matter most to you.

There will also be a chance to talk to Police and Crime Commissioner David Munro about proposals for the 2021-22 Council Tax Precept and to take part in his public consultation launched in January.

PCC David Munro said: “After an extremely difficult year for so many in our communities, this year’s events offer an even more valuable opportunity to be involved and have your say in policing where you live.

“Setting the policing element of the council tax is one of the most vital tasks a PCC has to make.Engaging directly with our communities over the next few weeks will also maximise the opportunities for the Surrey public to have their say in that decision.”

Residents are urged see more details on the event for their area on our Engagement Events page.

PCC welcomes commitment to strengthening policing service following government settlement for 2021/22

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The Police and Crime Commissioner David Munro has welcomed this year’s government settlement for policing announced yesterday saying it will enable Surrey Police to maintain its recruitment of extra officers and staff.

The Home Office today revealed their funding package for 2021/22 which includes over £400 million to recruit 20,000 extra officers nationally by 2023.

The combination of last year’s council tax precept in Surrey and the officer uplift promised by government meant Surrey Police have been able to strengthen their establishment by 150 officers and staff during 2020/21.

Yesterday’s settlement gives PCC’s the flexibility to raise a maximum of £15 a year on an average Band D property through the precept for the next financial year. This equates to around 5.5% across all council tax property bands and would provide an additional £7.4m for policing in Surrey.

Once the Commissioner has finalised his precept proposal in the coming days – he will be consulting with the Surrey public in early January.

However the PCC said he remains troubled that the funding formula used to calculate the settlement remains unchanged meaning once again Surrey has received the lowest level of grant of all forces.

To read the Home Office announcement – click here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/police-to-receive-more-than-15-billion-to-fight-crime-and-recruit-more-officers

PCC David Munro said: “The settlement announcement does show the government remains committed to strengthening our police service which is good news for our communities in Surrey.

“We obviously need to take stock and work through the finer details of today’s announcement and I will be working with the Chief Constable in the coming days to finalise my precept proposal for the next financial year.

“I will then be consulting with the public in January and I’m really keen to hear the views of residents on both my proposal and the police service in this county.

“Whilst the settlement does represent good news, I remain disappointed that Surrey residents will in effect continue to pay a larger proportion of the cost of their policing than anyone else in the country.

“I believe the police funding formula is fundamentally flawed and I wrote to the Home Secretary earlier this year urging the need for a root-and-branch review to make it a fairer system. I will continue to press that point over coming months to fight for fairer funding for policing in this county.”