Category: Victim support

Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend stands beside a large blue sign that reads 'Welcome to Surrey Police headquarters'. Her hands are clasped and she is smiling at the camera. Lisa is wearing pink trousers and a green long-sleeved top.

“Back-to-basics policing is the cornerstone”: Commissioner launches new Police and Crime Plan for Surrey

Posted on | by Alex Winter

SURREY’S Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has unveiled a new blueprint for policing in the county over the next three years.

The Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan sets out the priorities she wants Surrey Police to concentrate on during the rest of her current term of office, which ends in 2028.

The Plan features a focus on ‘back to basics’ policing, preventing violence against women and girls, protecting Surrey’s most vulnerable residents, and ensuring the accountability, integrity and wellbeing of the Force’s officers and staff.

It was created following an extensive consultation period where nearly 3,000 residents gave their views, together with community groups, businesses, partners and victims’ services.

Police and Crime Commissioners are required to produce a Police and Crime Plan every four years and it will form the basis upon which Lisa holds the Chief Constable to account for the policing service Surrey Police provide.

Surrey Police is one of the fastest-improving forces in the country having more than doubled its charge rate in the past 12 months, with an additional 3,500 offences prosecuted.

Charges for burglary, assault, retail crime, rape and child abuse have significantly increased, and an additional 2,500 arrests have been made across all crime types.

But the Commissioner said there are challenges ahead. The Force has to find around £18million in savings over the next four years, while criminal justice delays are putting additional pressure on victims’ services.

The Force is also facing increasing demand on ‘hidden’ crime, such as domestic abuse, fraud, and the online exploitation of children, which target some of the most vulnerable people in Surrey.



Force among fastest-improving

Lisa said: “My mission as your Police and Crime Commissioner is clear.

“I want Surrey Police to focus on tackling those crimes that blight our local communities, while also taking persistent offenders off our streets.

“I promised that we would return to a ‘back to basics’ approach to policing, and this pledge forms the cornerstone of my Police and Crime Plan.

“Fighting crime, getting tough on offenders, and protecting Surrey’s most vulnerable residents must be at the heart of the Force’s priorities in the coming years.

“We carried out extensive consultation with residents, community groups, business leaders and victims’ services, as well as hosting 12 in-person and online Policing Your Community events over the autumn and winter.



‘Back to basics’

“I have heard loud and clear what those who live and work in Surrey want to see their policing teams do in our communities and they are making great progress.

“Surrey Police is one of the fastest-improving forces in the country, with 3,500 additional charges across all crime types in 12 months, as well as 2,500 more arrests.

“Charges for some of the crime types that are particularly important to residents, such as child abuse, burglary and retail crime, have dramatically improved.

“It is crucial that this fantastic progress is sustained so we can continue taking the fight to criminals who seek to gain a foothold in our communities.

“Surrey remains a wonderful place in which to live and work, and I am committed to working with the Chief Constable to deliver on the priorities outlined in my Plan.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend and Deputy PCC Ellie Vesey-Thompson with Keely Glithero and Sue Murphy from Catalyst Support to learn about their cuckooing service.

Little-known form of exploitation impacting hundreds in Surrey becomes a criminal offence

Posted on | by Alex Winter

A LITTLE-KNOWN form of exploitation that has affected hundreds of people in Surrey is set to become a specific criminal offence. 

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, has told of her joy after cuckooing was included in new legislation introduced to Parliament this week. 

Lisa co-commissions the county’s gold-standard Cuckooing Service in partnership with Public Health. The service is run by Catalyst Support. 

Cuckooing involves criminals taking over the homes of vulnerable people to use for offences including county lines drug dealing. 

Catalyst Support, which was honoured at Surrey Police’s Anti-Social Behaviour Awards late last year, helps victims, provides advice to those at risk, and aims to manage and resolve the risk of a property being closed by the courts. 

The service has long lobbied for cuckooing to be made a specific criminal offence. 

Commissioner’s joy

Previously, it was not a standalone offence, meaning perpetrators could only be punished for any associated offending. 

But yesterday, the Government confirmed that it will become an offence to control a person’s home in connection with criminal activity without consent, with a maximum of five years in prison or a fine for those who flout the new law. 

Since 2018, the Cuckooing Service has received 574 referrals from across the county and disrupted 66 organised criminal groups, known as OCGs, and 162 local drug dealers. 

Among the victims are a 93-year-old great-grandmother and a woman who was forced to sleep on her kitchen floor. Another victim returned home to find a drug production line in their property, while a fourth victim’s contact details were sold to an inmate in prison as part-payment for synthetic cannabis Spice. 

Last year, the service premiered Steven’s Story, a short film based on true events in Surrey. 

You can watch the video below.

Lisa, who also leads on Victims for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, said: “I’m absolutely delighted with the news that cuckooing is set to become a specific criminal offence. 

“This is a chillingly sinister form of exploitation that transforms homes from safe, private havens into prisons. 

“While anyone can be affected, victims are usually vulnerable in some way. They may be single parents, affected by domestic abuse, have a history of substance abuse, or be young, often with experience of the care system. 

“Criminals will take advantage of this vulnerability to cause significant, lasting harm. 

“Harm is also caused to entire communities, and police often become aware of a cuckooed property after neighbours call in persistent, severe anti-social behaviour. 

Vulnerable victims exploited

“What is most worrying is that victims of cuckooing may remain hidden from police and the agencies poised to support them, through fear or perhaps because they have a history of offending. 

“But if you’re in this terrible situation, you are a victim, and we can and will help you. There is a way out. 

“The brilliant team at Catalyst Support are changing lives. I urge anyone who needs support to get in touch.” 

Catalyst Support’s Cuckooing Outreach Service Manager Karen Jones said: “Catalyst Support Cuckooing team welcomes the first steps to recognising cuckooing as a stand-alone crime.  

“We hope that making it a criminal offence will make a difference to the support available to victims, as well as deter perpetrators from exploiting vulnerable people.  

“Hidden crime”

“Cuckooing has long been a hidden crime, and the impact it has on vulnerable victims has often not been recognised. We hope that the change in the legislation will help the victims to be seen and receive the support they require and build resilience to avoid further exploitation. 

“The guidance will help improve identification of cuckooing and allow professionals to take action.  

“We will continue our work as an assertive outreach service and provide further support to both victims and partner agencies to help address cuckooing in the community.” 

For more information, visit catalystsupport.org.uk, call 01483 590150, or text 07909 631623. 

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend with the Chief Constable of Surrey Police and the Head of the Victim and Witness Care Unit at the VWCU office in Guildford Police Station

Office of the Commissioner hosts partners delivering victim care – after dedicated Unit helps a quarter of a million people to cope and recover

Posted on | by James Smith

DEPUTY Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson welcomed local services to Surrey Police’s headquarters in June, as victim care organisations funded by the Office of the Commissioner united to drive improvements to the care that individuals receive.

During the event, which was hosted by the Office’s commissioning team, representatives from a broad range of charities and services discussed community safety and how to best support victims.

Among the attendees were the team from Surrey Police’s dedicated Victim and Witness Care Unit (VWCU). The Unit, which is jointly funded by the Force and the Office of the Commissioner, marked its fifth anniversary this spring.

The VCWU team were joined by leaders from other services across the county, including: I Choose Freedom;  East Surrey Domestic Abuse Service; North Surrey Domestic Abuse Service; Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum; Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s STARS Service; Innovating Minds, the YMCA’s What is Sexual Exploitation? (WiSE) Service; the county’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC); and Hourglass (safer aging).

Opening the event, Deputy Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson said funding local services that improve community safety and support victims of crime is one of the most crucial elements of the Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend’s role.

In 2023/24, that included approving nearly £2.7m of funding to support victims of crime to help them cope and recover. The funding has helped pay for specially trained advisors for domestic abuse, sexual violence and fraud as well as counselling, helplines and projects that raised the awareness of modern slavery and the exploitation of children and young people.

This funding has also been made available to local services and specialist organisations to ensure that support is available to victims from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, LGBT+ and disabled communities as well as supporting the elderly and children and young people.

Over the course of the day, visitors discussed the opportunities and challenges affecting victim care in the UK, including the pressure on organisations to meet increasing demand with limited resources.

The programme included a specific focus on how the Commissioner’s Office, as a leading funder of victim care in Surrey, can help organisations to provide the best care possible.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “Victims and witnesses of crime deserve the best possible support during what will often be one of the most difficult times in their lives.

“I am incredibly proud of the fantastic services we support in Surrey, who provide some of the best victim care in the UK.

“But they are under increasing pressure, and it is vital to me that our Office can continue to support them by helping to make it easier for victims to contact the right service sooner.

“We must also encourage more sustainable funding to protect the people and projects helping victims to cope and recover.”

“I truly don’t know what I would have done without our phone calls, your advice and continued support. This has been such a tough process and you have helped me so much.”

– Victim supported by Surrey Police’s Victim and Witness Care Unit

Both Lisa and Ellie attended the Victim and Witness Care Unit celebrations during the spring.

Since 2019, the Unit has provided advice and support to over a quarter of a million people in Surrey.

It has also helped more than 4,000 individuals with ongoing practical and emotional support needs to navigate the criminal justice system and cope with the impact of their experiences.

Some victims of crime will suffer from a fear of going out, difficulty continuing work or education, panic attacks, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Unit also aims to keep victims engaged with the criminal justice system. One case involved seven victims of childhood sexual violence. When their case was delayed by two years, the Unit provided care and support to help them cope. Staff were also on-hand to help all seven individuals as they took to the witness stand during the two-month trial to see justice done.

Rachel Roberts, Head of the Surrey Police Victim and Witness Care Unit, said: “The Unit is here to help anyone affected by crime, no matter how long ago it happened, or whether you have reported it to the police or not.

“Impartial from any criminal justice process, we aim to support you, and anyone else who may have been directly affected, such as family members, to cope and recover.

“We will explore with you the most suitable ways to do this to meet your individual needs and circumstances, including helping you to understand your rights and entitlements under the Victims’ Code of Practice and ensuring you feel informed about any police processes and the options available to you.

“We can also make onwards referrals to other support agencies who may be able to help.”

A list of all support services available to victims in Surrey is available here.

All victims of crime in Surrey are automatically referred to the Victim and Witness Care Unit or a specialist provider of care at the point a crime is reported. Individuals can also self-refer themselves by calling 01483 639949 or visiting https://victimandwitnesscare.org.uk

Support and advice are available to every victim of a crime in Surrey regardless of when the offence occurred.

room full of seated women at a wooden table discussing victim care in Surrey. Flipchart paper is visible with notes made in group work during the workshop.

Commissioner unites partners with shared commitment to victims in Surrey

Posted on | by James Smith

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend welcomed services from across the county to the Surrey Police HQ in November, as organisations funded by her office came together to discuss improvements to the care that victims of crime receive. 
 
The event is the first time that most of the chief executives and advisors from victim services in Surrey had come together in-person since before the Covid-19 pandemic. During the day, they worked with members of the Commissioner’s office to explore the challenges and opportunities that they face when supporting individuals affected by offences including sexual violence and domestic violence, modern slavery and child sexual exploitation.

Funding local services is a key part of the Commissioner’s role in Surrey, that has made over £3m available for victim services in 2023/24. Core funding from her office pays for counselling and helplines, Independent Sexual Violence Advisors and Independent Domestic Abuse Advisors, awareness campaigns and specialist support for children and young people, Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities and those affected by modern slavery. 
 
In the last year, the PCC’s team have secured additional funds from the Home Office, that have been used to set up a new ‘Steps to Change’ hub that will act as a gateway to interventions for anyone demonstrating abusive behaviours, and a landmark project of early-doors education to specifically help prevent violence against women and girls. Educating all school-age children benefits the whole of society. 
 
The workshop included representatives from Surrey Police’s dedicated Victim and Witness Care Unit (VWCU), Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum, Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s STARS Service, Innovating Minds, East Surrey Domestic Abuse Service, North Surrey Domestic Abuse Service, South West Surrey Domestic Abuse Service, the YMCA’s What is Sexual Exploitation? (WiSE) Service, Justice and Care, the county’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) and Hourglass (safer aging). 
 
Throughout the day, they spoke about the increasing complexity of victim care and the pressures on services to meet increasing demand for their support with limited resources.  

The event also included a specific focus on how the Commissioner’s Office can help – by enabling connections between different organisations, advocating at national level and continuing a shift to funding that goes beyond a typical yearly contract. 

Meg Harper from modern slavery organisation Justice and Care said short term funding made it harder to plan for the future, by risking the momentum that vital colleagues are able to build year on year. 

Daisy Anderson, CEO of RASASC, said there was also a need to amplify the message that services support people of all backgrounds and needs in Surrey. Funding from the Commissioner’s Office provided 37% of RASASCs core funding in 2022/23. 

The workshop follows the appointment of new Victims Commissioner Baroness Newlove this October, and comes as a new Victims and Prisoners Bill makes it way through Parliament. 

Feedback from the meeting is now being analysed and will feed into plans for ensuring local organisations receive the best possible support in the new financial year.  

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “My office funds a wide range of work by victim services in Surrey, that often work in an incredibly complicated and pressured environment to provide the best possible care to survivors. 
 
“I am really proud of the strong partnership with the organisations we support in Surrey, but it is important that we continue to listen and identify the challenges they face. The workshop provided a forum for frank conversations across different areas of care and shared a huge wealth of knowledge with a focus on long-term solutions. 

“These conversations are vital as they make a tangible difference when an individual experiences a crime. Such as knowing who they can turn to, less time waiting and support from specialists that are part of a network that looks out for them too.” 
 
A list of support services available to victims in Surrey is available here.

Anyone affected by a crime can contact Surrey’s dedicated Victim and Witness Care Unit on 01483 639949 or visit https://victimandwitnesscare.org.uk for more information. Support and advice is available to every victim of a crime in Surrey regardless of when the offence occurred.

For further information about ‘Steps to Change’ or to discuss making a referral, please contact: enquiries@surreystepstochange.com

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend

Warning over government alarm that could expose ‘lifeline’ phones hidden by abuse survivors

Posted on | by Alex Winter

COMMISSIONER Lisa Townsend is raising awareness of a Government alarm that could expose “lifeline” secret phones hidden by survivors of domestic violence.

The Emergency Alert System test, which will take place at 3pm this Sunday, April 23, will cause mobile devices to emit a siren-like sound for around ten seconds, even if the phone is set to silent.

Modelled on similar schemes used in the US, Canada, Japan and The Netherlands, emergency alerts will warn Brits of life-threatening situations like flooding or wildfires.

Services established to support abuse survivors both nationally and in Surrey have warned that perpetrators of violence could discover hidden phones when the alarm sounds.

There are also concerns that fraudsters will use the test to scam vulnerable people.

Lisa has sent a letter to the Government asking for victims of abuse to be issued with clear instructions on how to change the settings on their phone to prevent the alert from sounding.

The Cabinet Office has confirmed it is working with charities including Refuge to show those affected by violence how to disable the alarm.

Lisa said: “My office and Surrey Police stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Government’s aim of reducing violence against women and girls.

“I am encouraged by the progress to shine a light on perpetrators use of coercive and controlling behaviour, as well as the harm and isolation this causes and the ever-present danger adult and child victims are surviving day-to-day.

“This constant threat and fear of fatal abuse is why many victims may purposefully keep a secret phone as a vital lifeline.

“Other vulnerable groups may also be affected during this test. I am particularly concerned the fraudsters may use this event as an opportunity to target victims, as we saw during the pandemic.

“Fraud is now the most common crime in the UK, costing our economy billions of pounds each year, and its impact on those affected can be devastating, both psychologically and financially. As a result, I would also ask the Government to issue fraud prevention advice via its official channels.”

In a statement released this week, the Cabinet Office said: “We understand the concerns from women’s charities about victims of domestic abuse.

“That is why we have worked with groups like Refuge to get the message out about how to disable this alert on hidden mobile devices.”

How to disable the alert

While it is recommended that the alerts should be kept on if at all possible, those with a secret device can opt out via their phone’s settings.

On iOS devices, enter the ‘notifications’ tab and switch off ‘severe alerts’ and ‘extreme alerts’.

Those with an android device should search for ‘emergency alert’ before using the toggle to switch it off.

The emergency siren will not be received if a phone is in aeroplane mode. Older smartphones which cannot access either 4G or 5G will also not get the notification.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend outside the Surrey Police contact centre

Commissioner blasts criminals behind ‘heart-breaking’ romance scams as she urges victims to come forward

Posted on | by Alex Winter

SURREY’S Police and Crime Commissioner has urged residents to be wary of romance fraudsters this Valentine’s Day.

Lisa Townsend blasted the criminals behind “heart-breaking” scams, and warned that Surrey victims lose millions each year to fraud.

And she called for anyone who fears they may be affected to come forward and speak to Surrey Police.


Lisa said: “Romance fraud is a deeply personal and intrusive crime. The impact it has on its victims is heart-breaking.

“Scammers con their victims into investing time and money under the mistaken belief that they have a genuine personal connection.

“In many cases, it’s difficult for victims to end their ‘relationship’ as they’re so emotionally invested.

“This type of crime can leave people feeling extremely ashamed and embarrassed.

“To anyone who is suffering, please know they’re not alone. Criminals are clever and manipulative, and it is never the fault of someone who has been scammed.

“Surrey Police will always take reports of romance fraud incredibly seriously. I’d urge anyone affected to come forward.”

In total, 172 reports of romance fraud were made to Surrey Police in 2022. Just under 57 per cent of victims were female.

More than half of all victims live alone, and just over one in five were contacted initially via WhatsApp. Around 19 per cent were contacted through a dating app first.

The majority of victims – 47.67 per cent – were aged between 30 and 59. Around 30 per cent were aged between 60 and 74.

‘Never a victim’s fault’

While many people – 27.9 per cent of all victims – didn’t report any losses, 72.1 per cent were defrauded out of sums of money. Of that number, 2.9 per cent lost between £100,000 and £240,000, and one person lost more than £250,000.

In 35.1 per cent of all cases, criminals asked their victims to hand over money via a bank transfer.

Surrey Police has offered the following advice on spotting the signs of a romance fraudster:

  • Be wary of giving out personal information on a website or chatroom
  • Fraudsters will make conversations personal to get information out of you, but won’t tell you much about themselves that you could check or verify
  • Romance fraudsters often claim to have high-ranking roles that keep them away from home for a long time. This could be a ploy to allay suspicions about not meeting in person
  • Fraudsters will usually attempt to steer you away from chatting on legitimate dating sites that can be monitored
  • They may tell stories to target your emotions – for example, that they have an ill relative or are stranded abroad. They may not ask directly for money, instead hoping that you will offer from the goodness of your heart
  • Sometimes, the fraudster will send you valuable items like laptops and mobile phones before asking you to send them on. This is likely a way for them to cover up any criminal activity
  • They may also ask you to accept money into your bank account and then transfer it elsewhere or via MoneyGram, Western Union, iTunes vouchers or other gift cards. These scenarios are very likely to be forms of money laundering, meaning you would be committing a crime

For more information, visit surrey.police.uk/romancefraud

To contact Surrey Police, call 101, use the Surrey Police website or get in touch on the Force’s social media pages. Always dial 999 in an emergency.

Surrey Against Domestic Abuse logo and advert for Surrey Domestic Homicide Review Seminars

Commissioner unites partners to highlight role of abuse in homicide

Posted on | by James Smith

Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend welcomed 390 participants to a sobering webinar on domestic abuse, homicide and victim support at the start of this month, as the United Nation’s 16 days of activism focused on violence against women and girls came to an end.

The webinar hosted by the Surrey against Domestic Abuse Partnership included talks from experts Prof Jane Monckton-Smith of the University of Gloucestershire who spoke about the ways that all agencies can recognise the links between domestic abuse, suicide and homicide, in order to improve the support provided to survivors of abuse and their families before harm escalates. Participants also heard from Dr Emma Katz of Liverpool Hope University whose ground-breaking work highlights the impact of perpetrators’ coercive and controlling behaviour on mothers and children.

Most importantly, they heard from a bereaved family who powerfully and painfully shared with participants the importance of embedding the work of Prof Monckton-Smith and Dr Katz into everyday practice in order to prevent more women from being killed and harmed. They challenged us to stop asking survivors why they don’t leave and focus on the importance of challenging victim blaming and holding perpetrators to account.

It featured an introduction from the Commissioner who has made reducing violence against women and girls a key priority for policing. The Commissioner’s office works closely with the partnership to prevent domestic abuse and sexual violence in Surrey, including awarding over £1m to local services and projects that helped survivors in the last year.


The seminar is part of a series of events led by the Commissioner’s office alongside the partnership, focused on strengthening Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHR) that are carried out to identify learning to prevent new homicides or suicides in Surrey.

It complements the embedding of a new process for Reviews in Surrey, with the aim that every organisation understands the role they play and the recommendations on topics including controlling and coercive behaviour, the camouflaging of abuse, abuse against older people and how the perpetrators of abuse may use children as a way of targeting the parenting bond.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said it was essential to raise awareness of the worrying link between the trauma resulting from abuse and the very real risk that it can lead to a fatality: “Reducing violence against women and girls is a key part of my Police and Crime Plan for Surrey, both by increasing the support available to survivors of abuse, but also by playing a key role in ensuring that we actively promote learning to prevent harm with our partners and in our communities.

“That’s why I am really pleased that the webinar was so well attended. It contained expert information that will have a direct impact on the ways in which professionals across the county can work with survivors of abuse to identify support earlier, ensuring there is a strong focus on children too.

“We know that abuse often follows a pattern and that it can be fatal if the behaviour of the perpetrator is not challenged. I want to thank all those involved in raising awareness of this issue, including a special recognition of the family member who so bravely shared their experiences to help raise awareness of this link.”

Professionals have a responsibility to call out victim blaming as the one of the most fatal flaws in our responses to perpetrators of domestic abuse.

Michelle Blunsom MBE, CEO of East Surrey Domestic Abuse Services and Chair of the Partnership in Surrey, said: “In 20 years I don’t think I have ever met a survivor of domestic abuse who has not been victim blamed. What this tells us is that we are collectively failing survivors and, even worse, trampling on the memory of those who did not survive.

“If we remain unconscious to, engage in and collude with victim blaming we make dangerous perpetrators even more invisible. Victim blaming means that their actions come secondary to what the victim or survivor should or shouldn’t have done. We exonerate perpetrators of the responsibility for abuse and for death by placing it firmly in the hands of victims themselves – we ask them why didn’t they disclose the abuse, why they didn’t they tell us sooner, why didn’t they leave, why didn’t they protect the children, why did they retaliate, why, why, why?

“Those who hold power, and by that, I mean most professionals regardless of rank or position, have a responsibility to not just acknowledge victim blaming but to call it out as the one of the most fatal flaws in our responses to perpetrators of domestic abuse. If we allow it to continue, we give the green light to current and future perpetrators; that there will be a ready-made set of excuses sitting on the shelf for them to use when they commit abuse and even murder.

“We have a choice to decide who we want to be as a person and as a professional. I compel everyone to consider how they want to contribute to ending perpetrators’ power and raising victims’ status.”

Anyone concerned about themselves or someone they know can access confidential advice and support from Surrey’s specialist domestic abuse services by contacting the Your Sanctuary helpline on 01483 776822 9am-9pm every day, or by visiting the Healthy Surrey website for a list of other support services.

Contact Surrey Police by calling 101, visiting https://surrey.police.uk or using the chat function on Surrey Police social media pages. Always dial 999 in an emergency.

Community Safety Assembly

Services commit to joined up response at first Community Safety Assembly in Surrey

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The first Community Safety Assembly in the county was held this May as Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend united partner organisations with a shared commitment to work more closely together.

The event launched the new Community Safety Agreement between partners that include Surrey Police, local authorities, health and victim support services across Surrey. The Agreement outlines how partners will work together to improve community safety, by enhancing the support for individuals affected or at risk of harm, reducing inequalities and strengthening collaboration between different agencies.

The Assembly organised by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey welcomed representatives from over 30 organisations to the Dorking Halls, where they discussed how to improve the joint response to community issues including antisocial behaviour, mental ill-health, and criminal exploitation. The meeting was also the first time that representatives from each of the organisations had met in person since the start of the pandemic.

Group work on a variety of topics was accompanied by presentations from Surrey Police and Surrey County Council, including the Force’s focus on reducing violence against women and embedding a problem-solving approach to preventing crime across the service.

Throughout the day, members were asked to consider the bigger picture of so-called ‘low level crime’, learn to spot the signs of hidden harm and discuss potential solutions to challenges including barriers to sharing information and building public trust.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Lisa Townsend, who is also the Association of Police and Crime Commissioner’s national lead for Mental Health and Custody, said: “Every organisation has a role play in reducing vulnerabilities that can lead to harm in our communities.

“That’s why I’m proud that the Community Safety Assembly held for the first time by my office has brought such a wide spectrum of partners under one roof to discuss how we can all take steps to deliver a more joined-up response within the new Community Safety Agreement for Surrey.

“We heard from partners about what we can learn from the amazing work that is already happening across our county, but also had really open conversations about what doesn’t work so well and how we can improve.

“It is important that we spot the signs of harm earlier and address gaps between agencies that can prevent individuals from accessing the right support. For example, we know that mental ill-health has a significant impact on policing and this is one of the areas that I am already discussing with our health partners to ensure the response is coordinated so that individuals receive the best possible care.

“The Assembly was just the start of these conversations, that form part of our ongoing commitment to together improve safety right across our communities.”

Find out more about the Community Safety Partnership in Surrey and read the Community Safety Agreement here.

You can see our dedicated page for updates following the Community Safety Assembly here.

We play an essential role in enhancing support – Commissioner Lisa Townsend speaks at national conference on criminal justice

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend has called for more to be done to support women and girls who experience gender-based violence during a panel discussion at this year’s Modernising Criminal Justice conference.

The discussion chaired by Reader in Criminal Law at King’s College Dr Hannah Quirk coincided with domestic abuse awareness week in Surrey and included questions on the progress made since the launch of the Government’s ‘Tackling Violence against Women and Girls Strategy’ in 2021 and how Safer Streets funding provided by Police and Crime Commissioners is making a difference to the lives of women and girls locally.

The conference at the QEII Centre in London featured speakers from across the criminal justice sector, including the Ministry of Justice, Crown Prosecution Service, fellow Police and Crime Commissioners and the Victims Commissioner Dame Vera Baird.

Reducing violence against women and girls, including victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence, is a key priority in Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan for Surrey.

Speaking alongside the Chief Executive of AVA (Against Violence and Abuse), Donna Covey CBE, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend welcomed a significant increase in funding from the Government in the last two years to tackle the violence women experience every day, adding Commissioners played an essential role in ensuring services on the ground are able to provide the best possible support and care to those who need it.

She said more work was needed to ensure that justice was achieved for victims, requiring the whole criminal justice system to work together to hear survivors’ voices and do more to recognise the impact of trauma on individuals and their families: “I’m pleased to take part in this national conference with a really important aim of collaborating across the criminal justice sector to prevent offending and reduce harm in our communities.

“I’m passionate about reducing violence against women and girls and this is a key area in which I am dedicating my full attention to as the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey.

“It is essential in our efforts to drive change that we continue to act on what survivors are telling us needs to be different. I am really proud of the enormous amount of work being led by my team, Surrey Police and with our partners, which includes early intervention to address behaviours that lead to violence, and ensuring there is specialist support that recognises the deep and lasting impact all forms of violence against women and girls can have on the mental health of both adult and child survivors.

“Recent developments including the Domestic Abuse Act offer new opportunities to strengthen this response and we are grasping these with both hands.”

In 2021/22, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner provided more support to individuals affected by sexual violence, rape, stalking and domestic abuse than ever before, with £1.3m in funding provided to local organisations to support the survivors of domestic abuse and a new Safer Streets project aimed at improving the safety of women and girls in Woking. A dedicated service to challenge the behaviour of both stalking and domestic abuse perpetrators across Surrey was also launched and is the first of its kind to be launched in the UK.

The Commissioner’s office continues to play a key role in significantly increasing the number of Independent Domestic Violence Advisors and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors in Surrey, who provide direct advice and guidance in the community to help victims rebuild trust, access support and navigate the criminal justice system.

Confidential advice and support is available from Surrey’s independent specialist domestic abuse services by contacting the Your Sanctuary helpline 01483 776822 (9am-9pm every day) or by visiting the Healthy Surrey website.

To report a crime or seek advice please call Surrey Police via 101, online or using social media. Always dial 999 in an emergency.

More support for young people as Commissioner sets funding for year ahead

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

Close to half of Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend’s Community Safety Fund will be used to protect children and young people from harm as she sets her office’s budget for the first time.

The Commissioner has ringfenced £275,000 of the Fund to enable more children and young people to engage with the police and other agencies, avoid or leave harmful situations and receive specialist help and advice when they need it. It complements additional funding that will continue to be provided by the Commissioner to support victims of crime and reduce repeat offending in Surrey.

The specific allocation of a Children and Young People’s Fund follows a £100,000 project with Catch22 to reduce the criminal exploitation of young people established in January, accompanied by longer term investments by the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner to increase the support available to children and young people at risk of, or affected by, sexual violence.

It comes after the Commissioner marked the anniversary of her first year in office in May with a vow to remain focused on the public’s priorities that are included in her Police and Crime Plan for Surrey. They include reducing violence against women and girls, ensuring safer Surrey roads and improving the relationships between Surrey residents and Surrey Police.

Money from the new Children and Young People’s Fund has already been awarded to support the first Surrey Police ‘Kick about in the Community’ football event that aimed to break down the barriers between Surrey Police officers and young people in the county. The event in Woking was held as part of the Force’s focus on children and young people and was supported and attended by representatives from Chelsea Football Club, local youth services and partners including Fearless, Catch 22 and MIND charity.

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson, who is leading the Office’s focus on children and young people, said: “I’m passionate about ensuring our impact in Surrey includes hearing the voices of children and young people, who have a unique experience of safety and policing in our communities.

“Together with the Commissioner, I’m proud that allocating this specific funding will help more local organisations to enhance the opportunities for young people to thrive, and to access tailored support that works to address the barriers we know prevent young people from speaking up or asking for help.

“It could be something as simple as having a safe place to go to spend their free time. Or it could be having someone they trust who can spot the signs and offer advice when something doesn’t feel right.

“Ensuring these services can reach more young people is important both to support individuals who are at risk or who experience harm, but also to strengthen the long-term impact on their future decisions, and on their relationships with the people and environments around them as they grow up.”

The Children and Young people’s Fund is available to organisations that work to enhance the lives of children and young people in Surrey. It is open to local activities and groups that have a positive impact on children and young people’s wellbeing, provide a safe space or route away from potential harm or that encourage increased engagement between the police and other agencies that prevent crime, reduce vulnerability and invest in health. Interested organisations can find out more and apply via the Commissioner’s dedicated ‘Funding Hub’ pages at https://www.funding.surrey-pcc.gov.uk

Anyone who is concerned about a young person or child is encouraged to contact the Surrey Children’s Single Point of Access on 0300 470 9100 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday) or at cspa@surreycc.gov.uk. The service is available out of hours on 01483 517898.

You can contact Surrey Police by calling 101, via Surrey Police social media pages or at www.surrey.police.uk. Always dial 999 in an emergency.