Category: Working with communities to feel safe

The image shows a group of people looking at the camera. Most are wearing a high-visibility uniform. They are the Surrey Search and Rescue volunteers. Also among the group are two blonde women wearing jeans and jackets. These women are Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend and Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson. Everyone is looking at the camera and smiling. They are standing in a concrete car park, and it is night time.

The volunteers making a life-or-death difference to some of Surrey’s vulnerable missing people

Posted on | by Alex Winter

A team of specially-trained volunteers – and their dogs – are on call in Surrey 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to search for lost or missing people.

Surrey Search and Rescue is one of the busiest lowland teams in the UK, and their work can make a life-or-death difference to the county’s most vulnerable residents.

Volunteers, all of whom are members of the public, are trained to give first aid to those in need before evacuating them to safety.

Searches can be carried out across a range of terrain, including woodland, farmland, in urban environments, and near water. There is also an aerial capacity using drones.

Around 80 people volunteer their time to the organisation, helping to search for some of the 2,100 people who go missing in Surrey each year.

In late July, Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend and Deputy Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson joined the team for a training exercise in woodland near Guildford.

During the evening, volunteers trained their dogs to search over large distances. Both Lisa and Ellie were recruited to hide in the woods for the dogs to find.

The Commissioner said: “This voluntary specialist search team support Surrey Police and other emergency services to find missing vulnerable adults and children.

“No matter the time of day or night, teams respond as quickly as possible to minimise the time a person is at risk.

Unsung heroes

“They operate in farmland, urban areas and woodland, while some volunteers specialise in water rescues and search dog training.

“Surrey Search and Rescue relies wholly on donations, and the work of these unsung heroes is absolutely invaluable.

“Seeing the team in action has been fantastic, and although we’ve had just a brief glimpse of the challenges they face, it’s so impressive to see their professionalism and dedication.”

Ellie said: “I’d like to thank everyone who gives their time to Surrey Search and Rescue to support the emergency services and help save the lives of some truly vulnerable people.”

The image shows Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend walking through a town centre with two police officers in uniform. Lisa, who has blonde hair, stands on the right of the image. She wears a black jacket and trousers. The officers, one male and one female, are wearing their uniforms and police hats, and they are in the middle of a conversation with Lisa as they all walk past a branch of Marks and Spencer.

Plain-clothed officers join revellers in Epsom and Guildford for Operation Shield

Posted on | by Alex Winter

AN OPERATION that aims to tackle offences including violence against women and girls and drug dealing has seen officers flood two Surrey towns during July.

Op Shield deploys uniformed officers and PCSOs alongside plain-clothed Behavioural Detection Officers trained to spot signs of predatory behaviour.

The initiative took place in Epsom and Guildford last month as part of Surrey’s Safer Streets Summer, a major new campaign focusing on town centres. The scheme brings together partners across Surrey to deal with crimes that blight communities, including violence against women and girls, violent offending, retail crime, and anti-social behaviour. 

During the evenings, officers spoke with members of the public and handed-out anti-spiking kits, including caps to place over glasses. A police dog was also deployed in each town to search for drugs.

Plain-clothed officers joined the crowds at bars and clubs to look for anyone behaving suspiciously, before alerting uniformed colleagues.

Anyone considered a concern was stopped and spoken to by officers.

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, joined the team in Epsom, while Deputy Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson was part of foot patrols in Guildford town centre.

Preventing violence against women and girls is a key priority for both the Commissioner, who has made it a cornerstone of her Police and Crime Plan, and the Force.

Plan’s cornerstone

Lisa said: “This brilliant operation acts as a deterrent by making our town centres hostile to those who display predatory behaviour.

“Our specially-trained Behavioural Detection Officers look out for signs of suspicious behaviour, before flagging their concerns with uniformed colleagues. The aim is to prevent criminality from being committed altogether.

“These types of operations matter to the public. We want to prevent women and girls from becoming victims wherever possible, and to ensure that everyone feels confident to report offences to Surrey Police.

“Promise made”

“I fund a huge range of organisations that support those who do become victims, such as the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre in Guildford and the Surrey Domestic Abuse Partnership.

“This work is at the core of the promise I made to return to back to basics policing.

“There is a long way to go. Victims of sexual offences are facing lengthy delays to get to court, with trials now being listed in 2028 and 2029.

“That’s why our ongoing partnership work with councils, the wider criminal justice system and services across the county is so vital.”

Deputy Commissioner joins countywide fight against fraud and serious organised crime

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

A series of disruption and engagement days have taken place across the county to tackle serious organised crime and raise awareness of rogue trading, fraud and scams.

The events, organised by the Surrey Organised Crime (SOC) Partnership, included action days which resulted in a series of arrests, as well as engagement stands in Mole Valley, Runnymede and Waverley.

Surrey’s Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Ellie Vesey-Thompson, joined the engagement stand where advice was shared with members of the public.

Elsewhere, roads policing teams and partners including the Driving Vehicle Standards Agency carried out checks on the A24 in Dorking, Hardwick Lane in Chertsey, and the B2130 Godalming to Cranleigh road.

Seven arrests

The teams conducted stop checks on commercial vehicles and the waste carriage industry.

Across the three locations, 96 vehicles were stopped, with 10 vehicles being seized and seven arrests made for drug driving.

One vehicle was found to be overloaded in excess of two tonnes and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) checked 62 fuel samples.

More than 600 people in Dorking, Chertsey and Farnham also visited stands run by Surrey Police’s Safer Communities Teams and the Economic Crimes Unit, Trading Standards, Crimestoppers and Age UK.

Advice given

Advice was given about doorstep rogue trading, financial abuse, investment fraud and romance scams.

Ellie said: “The brilliant results achieved across these six days of action are testament to the strong collaboration between partners to tackle fraud and support residents”.  

“Proactive engagement not only disrupts criminal enterprises on the ground but also works to protect Surrey residents and businesses for the future.

“Over half of crime committed in Surrey is fraud – it is this country’s fastest growing type of crime, with almost half of all adults being targeted, and perpetrators are using increasingly clever methods to target victims.

“A clear message”

“The partnership work including these events are a clear message to serious organised crime networks that we are working to disrupt activity, protect vulnerable people and make our communities safer.”

Lee Ormandy, chair of the Surrey SOC Partnership Board, said: “We will continue to bring together the expertise and resources of various agencies, enabling an effective and comprehensive approach to tackling SOC and protecting vulnerable individuals and businesses.

“By working together, we achieve outcomes that would be difficult or impossible for individual agencies to achieve alone.”

How to keep safe online and by phone:

  • Always question and verify unsolicited calls, texts or emails requesting your personal or financial information such as name, address or bank details.  Contact the company directly using a known email or phone number before sharing any personal or sensitive information.
  • Install up-to-date anti-virus software and a firewall on your computer. Ensure your browser is set to the highest level of security.
  • Do not click on links in unexpected emails and text messages, even if they look genuine.  Banks and financial institutions will not send you an email asking you to click on a link and confirm your bank details.  Call your bank instead using a known phone number or email or use a phone number from a genuine piece of correspondence or the back of your bank card.
  • Use Verified by Visa or MasterCard Secure Code whenever you are given the option while shopping online. This involves you registering a password with your card company and adds an additional layer of security to online transactions with signed-up retailers.
  • Check your credit file regularly through companies such as Callcredit, Equifax and Experian, and look for any suspicious entries you don’t recognise.

How to keep safe from rogue traders:

  • Try to avoid talking to unexpected ‘tradespeople’ at your door as it is unusual that legitimate tradespeople will cold call you.
  • If possible, get quotes for work from at least three different companies.
  • Check that the trader is registered with an accredited trade body and an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme.
  • Avoid paying for work at your doorstep and do not go to a cash machine if asked to by a trader.
  • Remember that even if you sign a contract, you are legally entitled to a 14-day cancellation period.
  • Make sure to report any rogue traders and scams to Trading Standards.

Report all incidents of doorstep crime to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 or to the police on 101.

In the event of an emergency, call 999.

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson, a blonde woman who wears a beige roll-neck jumper, looks directly into the camera. Her expression is stern and her arms are folded.

Deputy Commissioner says catapults must be treated similarly to knives in letter to ministers

Posted on | by Alex Winter

SURREY’S Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner has called on the Government to tighten up laws on the sale and possession of catapults. 

In a letter Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Ellie Vesey-Thompson said there is an urgent need for further action. 

Ellie warned catapults must be subject to the same rules as knives, giving police greater powers to crack down on those who use them as weapons. 

It comes as attacks on wild fowl spike in Surrey. The Shepperton Swan Sanctuary has rescued around 30 wounded birds this year, and a similar number are believed to have died through injuries sustained by projectiles fired from catapults. 

Sanctuary volunteer Danni Rogers started a petition calling for the sale of catapults and petition to be made illegal. It received more than 10,000 signatures, including that of Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend. 

The previous Government responded to the petition with a statement that says existing legislation provides the “correct balance between protecting wildlife… whilst also allowing the public to enjoy legitimate pastimes”. 

Police officers can use their powers to deal with offences involving catapults, but Ellie said additional power of seizure to prevent criminal behaviour would support communities across the country. 

Catapults are also linked to anti-social behaviour in Surrey. In 2024, cars parked at a church were targeted with projectiles in a Tandridge village, and there have been reports of animals seriously injured when they were fired at in Ash Vale during May. 

“Treat catapults as we would knives”

Ellie said: “I am urging the Government to listen to the concerns of Surrey’s residents. 

“It is time to start treating catapults as we would knives. Anyone caught with one must have a legitimate purpose for doing so, and it should be their responsibility to prove that purpose if they’re stopped by the police. 

“Attacks on wild birds are increasing in Surrey. In late February, a swan was rescued from the banks of the Thames in Staines with a missile lodged in its head.

“The previous month, a duck was severely injured by a ball-bearing fired from a catapult. 

Horror injuries

“In May, people with catapults were seen at Chertsey Bridge firing at swans and ducks, and just over the border in Fleet, Hampshire, a male swan suffered an extensive facial injury at a nature reserve, while the body of a goose with similar injuries was also found. 

“Both had been attacked with ball bearings fired from a catapult. 

“The connection between catapults and both anti-social behaviour and vandalism are clear. These are key concerns for residents, and the time has come for stronger measures to tackle this type of offending. 

“These incidents are deeply distressing. In the wrong hands, catapults can be deadly, and more legislation is urgently needed.”  

Read Ellie’s letter here.

The image shows Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend walking through a town centre with two police officers in uniform. Lisa, who has blonde hair, stands on the right of the image. She wears a black jacket and trousers. The officers, one male and one female, are wearing their uniforms and police hats, and they are in the middle of a conversation with Lisa as they all walk past a branch of Marks and Spencer.

“It’s what residents want to see”: Surrey’s Safer Streets Summer begins

Posted on | by Alex Winter

A MAJOR new campaign to keep Surrey’s town centres safe over the summer has launched. 

The Home Office-backed Safer Streets Summer Initiative will see a focus on the busiest areas of the county to bolster crime prevention and community safety. 

The scheme, which brings together the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Surrey Police and partners across Surrey, including schools, councils, health services, businesses, and transport and community organisations, aims to tackle crimes that blight communities. 

Anti-social behaviour, violence against women and girls, retail crime and violent offending will be among the types of criminality targeted with visible patrols and special police operations. These crime types typically increase during the summer months.

Officers will also proactively use anti-social behaviour powers and visit retail premises to offer advice, reassurance and support. 



Major summer campaign begins

Locations for the initiative span the county, including Staines and Addlestone in the north, Farnham and Camberley in the west, Dorking further to the south, and Caterham in the east. 

Targeted activity will take place until September, with a range of activities planned in each of the towns. 

Plain-clothed officers will spot signs of suspicious behaviour in the county’s busiest nightspots, while joint operations are set to target crime enabled by motorbikes and mopeds. 

Youth engagement officers will work with partners to find opportunities for young people during school holidays, and roads policing teams will be on the lookout for dangerous or distracted drivers. 

Targeted operations

Officers will also mount specific patrols tackling retail crime and anti-social behaviour in tandem with partners from environmental health, licensing and trading standards. 

News of the initiative comes as Surrey marks national Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week.

Anti-social behaviour is a key priority for the county’s Safer Neighbourhood Teams throughout the year, and more information on how to report anti-social behaviour or access help can be found here. 

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has made available funding for any developing town centre work that needs support over the course of the summer.  

The Commissioner said: “While Surrey remains one of the safest places to live in the country, I know that anti-social behaviour, retail crime and violence against women and girls are among the issues that matter most in our communities.

“It’s what residents want to see”

“The Safer Streets Summer Initiative will allow police officers and staff, along with our fantastic partners, to put a spotlight on neighbourhood policing and community safety. 

“This type of visibility is what residents have told me they want to see. 

“The aim isn’t simply police enforcement – it’s collaboration, and we aim not only to respond to crime, but to prevent it altogether. 

“A huge range of activities will be taking place across the summer. 

“More anti-social behaviour warning letters will be sent out, while data and intelligence will be used to identify areas that are disproportionately impacted by specific crime types. 

Tailored plan of action

“There will also be various days of targeted action and close working with some of our key partners. 

“We will work with Business Improvement Districts to protect retailers and support vulnerable children to divert them away from crime. 

“Each of the town centres identified for additional work as part of the scheme will see its own tailored plan of action unfolding over the summer months. 

“I look forward to sharing more about this initiative in the weeks to come, and I wish all residents a Safer Streets Summer of their own.” 

The image shows a group of people sitting inside a van. All are looking at the camera and smiling. The people include Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson, who sits on the far left and wears a pink coat. It also includes police officers in uniform.

“Transformative” strategy to tackle criminality and restore pride sees crime drop in Redhill

Posted on | by Alex Winter

A “TRANSFORMATIVE” strategy to build pride in Redhill has seen crime in the town drop. 

The Safer Redhill scheme, which has drawn in partners including Surrey Police, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and the YMCA, has resulted in a significant decrease in offences including sexual assault, robbery and shoplifting.

The initiative utilised Safer Streets funding secured by Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend and her team, as well as an additional grant from the Commissioner’s Community Safety Fund. 

In the year to April 2025, reports of shoplifting in Redhill have dropped by 16 per cent, while reported sexual assault has decreased by 19 per cent, grievous bodily harm by 43 per cent and robbery by 56 per cent. 

An increase in the use of stop and search has led to a significant rise in arrests for possession of a bladed article or other offensive weapon.

Crime drop

More than 150 arrests have been made, and 30 years of prison time handed down to offenders, while 10kg of cocaine with a potential value of £800,000 was taken off the streets. 

The project adopts the Clear, Hold, Build framework. 

The three-stage approach involves police relentlessly pursuing criminals to ‘clear’ an area, maintaining a hold over the location to prevent further offending, and then working in tandem with partners to build resilience so it is less likely to be targeted in the future. 

Clear, Hold, Build is set to be rolled out in three more Surrey towns, which will be revealed in the coming months. 

In June, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson visited Redhill with Home Office officials and senior officers from Surrey Police to see the work that has been done. 

Success in Redhill

Shane Roberts, the architect of Clear, Hold, Build, was among those to join the visit, and will be using the scheme as a “remarkable” example of national excellence in the future.

He told the meeting he had initially been unsure that the initiative would work in a town centre, but said: “It’s one of the best sites I’ve seen go through the three processes nationally.”

Lisa said: “While Safer Streets funding is no longer made available by this Government, the same principles that resulted in such huge successes in Redhill will soon be applied to three further areas of Surrey. 

Partnership work

“We have seen a range of police-led initiatives across Redhill, from drugs operations at the train station to plain-clothed deployments and retail crime crackdowns. 

“But the true success of the scheme lies in partnership work.

“For example, I am pleased that Safer Streets funding secured by my team and I has helped cover the costs of initiatives such as the YMCA bus, which has been used to engage with more than 1,300 young people in their communities. 

“Street lighting has been installed by the council in areas where residents feared anti-social behaviour at night, and a shelter that attracted large groups was removed. 

“Transformative”

“Youth mentoring service Ment4 has worked with 3,555 young people to educate them on the reality of substance misuse and gangs. 

“This is deep-rooted, transformative work that we believe will result in both a lasting legacy and a stronger community. 

“Clear, Hold, Build uses intelligence and data to crack down on place-based harm, and I’m delighted that more towns will be launching the initiative in the future. 

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

The image shows a building in a park. The building has been painted with a large graffiti-style mural, which features the word 'life' in yellow against a pink background and an image of a young girl with curly hair smiling broadly with her mouth open.

A building in Memorial Park has been given a makeover with a graffiti-style mural

Two officers in high-vis jackets and hats stand in Epsom outside a parade of shops. Both are looking at Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, a woman with short blonde hair who wears pink trousers and a black and white polka dot blouse. All of the people in the image are smiling and a conversation is taking place.

Impacted by anti-social behaviour? Here’s why it matters (and where to get support)

Posted on | by Alex Winter

ARE you impacted by anti-social behaviour in your community? 

This national Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week, Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, is sharing information on how to get support. 

Anti-social behaviour is one of the issues most frequently raised with the Commissioner by Surrey’s residents through consultations, surgeries and the Policing Your Community events. 

As a result, one of the key priorities in Lisa’s refreshed Police and Crime Plan, which launched this year, is strengthening safe and resilient communities.  

Over the coming years, she has committed to working with Surrey Police and partners to find effective, lasting solutions that create conditions for communities to thrive, and that allow residents to feel listened to and supported. 

Reports of anti-social behaviour taking place during the summer have almost halved since 2018, when 6,770 reports were made. In 2024, 3,789 reports of anti-social behaviour were made to police.

Help is available

The issue remains a priority for Surrey Police. In the past few months, Lisa has joined officers on patrol in Guildford, where funding secured by her office has led to a significant reduction in youth-related anti-social behaviour on Sundays. 

In Redhill, similar funding secured by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has led to a drop in a range of offences impacting the community, including retail crime.  

Partnership work in the town has seen additional solar lighting set up at Memorial Park, while a shelter that had become a site for anti-social behaviour was removed, and new benches installed instead. 

Meanwhile, Lisa has launched the Community Safety and Prevention Board, which is designed to bring partners from across the county together to close loopholes in the support offered to Surrey’s residents. 

In addition, a range of measures are available for those impacted by anti-social behaviour. 



Commissioner’s funding

The Commissioner’s office funds Mediation Surrey, which aims to resolve neighbourhood issues through discussion. 

Those who feel failed after repeatedly reporting anti-social behaviour can turn to the ASB Case Review, which draws together key partners to review their actions. 

More news on how Surrey Police is tackling anti-social behaviour will be announced this week. 

The Commissioner said: “Surrey is already one of the safest places to live in the country. 

“But we know anti-social behaviour can have an outsize impact that can seriously affect residents’ lives. 

“Protected, supported, heard”

“Issues like anti-social behaviour require a targeted response from a range of agencies. Policing alone cannot solve the harms caused or prevent it from happening in the first place. 

“That’s why we’re dedicated to working with partners to create safe communities where residents are protected, supported, and heard.” 

To learn more about how to access support or report an issue, visit healthysurrey.org.uk/community-safety/asb 

What is anti-social behaviour?

Anti-social behaviour covers a huge range of behaviours, including:There are also some things that, while annoying, do not count as anti-social behaviour, which might include:
Antisocial driving/speeding DIY or off-road car repairs (unless late at night or early in the morning) 
Nuisance noiseEveryday living noises such as loud conversations, doors opening and closing, and lawnmowers in use 
Drug use or drug dealingOne-off occasional events such as birthday parties, barbecues, or other celebrations 
Dog foulingLawful use of fireworks
Fly-tippingProperty boundary disputes
Graffiti Lifestyle differences, such as cooking odours or putting rubbish out on the wrong day
LitteringChildren playing in or around their own home, in the street, or in the park, and not causing damage, being abusive, or being excessively noisy
A group of people stand in front of a Surrey Police banner. They are made up of a mix of officers and staff, as well as volunteers. All are looking into the camera and smiling.

“If you are a victim of fraud, you are a victim of crime”: Meet the volunteers working to protect Surrey residents

Posted on | by Alex Winter

IT’S the crime we are all most likely to experience.

And in Surrey, volunteers based in police stations around the county are dedicated to stopping criminals from exploiting more victims. 

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has joined celebrations for the Volunteer Fraud Prevention Programme, which aims to reach every fraud victim in the county. 

Volunteers for the programme work alongside Surrey Police officers and staff to offer education and support to those impacted. 

They also give talks in the community, working with organisations including Age Concern, the WI and the Surrey Coalition of Disabled People to share advice. 

Celebrations for volunteers

During a single engagement event outside a Co-op branch, volunteers spoke with more than 100 residents. 

Fraud is the most frequently reported crime across England and Wales, making up more than 40 per cent of all offending.

Once a victim has been defrauded for the first time, they are likely to be repeatedly targeted by criminals. 

Surrey’s most vulnerable victims are identified and supported by the Force as part of Operation Signature, which aims to ensure they receive a uniformed safeguarding visit, risk assessment and fast-tracked safeguarding initiatives. 

Those who are not considered vulnerable will be contacted by the fraud volunteers. 

Changing perceptions

Simon Morris, who volunteers in Reigate and Banstead, said some of those targeted by fraudsters feel shame that they have become a victim. 

But he added: “If you are a victim of fraud, you are a victim of crime. 

“We can change that perception by recognising the true impact fraud has on people’s lives.” 

Graham Hutchings, who also serves in Reigate and Banstead, said: “Fraud really can destroy people’s lives, and becoming a victim eats away at their confidence. 

“We want to restore that confidence again.” 

Vulnerable victims

Through working with the community, both Graham and Simon help raise understanding of how fraudsters operate, meaning fewer people become a victim. 

In Surrey, courier fraud makes up almost 23 per cent of all Op Signature cases – those directly committed against vulnerable victims. The crime occurs when victims are contacted by telephone or email by a person purporting to be someone from a bank or the police. 

Doorstep fraud – which involves criminals knocking at a person’s door to pressure sell or similar – makes up 16.1 per cent of Op Signature offences, while telephone fraud is the third most highly-reported in this category 

Every victim of romance fraud is considered vulnerable and is categorised as an Op Signature case. Across both Surrey and Sussex, victims lost £7million to this type of criminality last year alone. 

“Tireless efforts”

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “Those who serve with the Volunteer Fraud Prevention Programme make a significant difference to the lives of Surrey residents. 

“I’d like to thank them for their tireless efforts to stop more people becoming victims. 

“These fantastic volunteers come from a range of backgrounds to protect others in their communities, and their work ensures that Surrey Police can reach every single person who reports a fraud in the county. 

“For those who believe they are a victim of any type of fraud, I’d urge you to come forward and speak to Action Fraud or the police.  

“You will not be judged or shamed – you are a victim of organised, sophisticated criminality, and we will support you.” 

Applications to serve with the programme will reopen shortly. 

Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, stands between two uniformed officers at a race course. Behind them is a stand overlooking the course. The Commissioner has blonde hair. She is looking at one of the officers and laughing. She wears pink trousers and a blouse with polka dots on it. To the left of the image is a female officer in uniform, and to the right is a male officer in uniform. Both are looking at the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Commissioner goes behind the scenes at this year’s Epsom Derby as four arrests are made

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has gone behind the scenes at Surrey’s biggest pre-planned policing operation.

The Epsom Derby, which took place over the weekend, is one of the most significant sporting events in the county.

Officers, staff, and volunteers from Surrey Police and Sussex Police, including specialist resources such as planning, intelligence, drones, and public order, worked closely with The Jockey Club to ensure this year’s event was carried out safely.

A total of four arrests were made over two days in the area in and around the racecourse.

Lisa joined officers for Ladies’ Day, attending a morning briefing and travelling into Epsom town centre during the afternoon to talk to residents.



Extra powers

Police were handed extra powers during the weekend to tackle incidents of anti-social behaviour, crime and disorder. Officers were given a Section 35 Dispersal Order which covers all of Epsom, Walton Downs, and Langley Vale.

The order gives officers and PCSOs the power to remove individuals from a specified area where their behaviour is contributing, or likely to contribute, to anti-social behaviour, crime and disorder.

Lisa said: “The Derby is a real team effort, with officers and staff from across the Force supporting the operation in a number of roles, including neighbourhood policing, roads policing, public order, intelligence and drone operations.

“Their role to ensure the safe running of the Derby varies widely, from assisting with traffic management to investigating crime and providing a reassuring presence around the racecourse.

“Of course, the policing operation isn’t just confined to the festival itself, and across the weekend, teams minimised the impact on our local communities in the surrounding area with proactive patrols.

Commissioner’s thanks

“A huge amount of work goes on behind the scenes to make sure people at the festival and beyond have a safe, fun weekend, and I’d like to say a big thank you to all of those who worked tirelessly as part of this event.”

Chief Superintendent Graham Barnett said: “We have been policing the Derby at Epsom Downs for 26 years, but no two years are ever the same.

“Our officers, staff, and volunteers all worked incredibly hard this weekend to support the safe running of this event, which is the largest pre-planned policing operation in Surrey each year.

“Working closely with the event organisers and our local partner agencies, those who attended were able to enjoy the event safely.

“We appreciate this event can be disruptive for Epsom residents and those travelling through the area, and I’d like to thank the local community for their understanding and patience this weekend.

Four arrests

“Alongside supporting the safe running of the event itself, we also provided an increased policing presence in and around Epsom town centre throughout the weekend, and our teams worked tirelessly to prevent and respond to reports of crime and anti-social behaviour related to the Derby.”

On Friday, June 6, a 45-year-old man from North Cheam was arrested and cautioned for being drunk and disorderly. A 20-year-old man from Worcester Park was arrested on suspicion of assault. He has been released with no further action and dispersed from the area under a Section 35 Dispersal Order.

On Saturday, June 7, a 63-year-old man was arrested and given a community resolution for being drunk and disorderly. A 24-year-old man from Redhill was arrested on suspicion of assault and sexual assault by touching. He has been bailed while enquiries continue.

“More than ever, we need to come together to prevent harm in our communities” – Commissioner sets up new board to improve safety and prevent crime

Posted on | by Nathan Rees

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has set up a new board designed to improve community safety and prevent crime across Surrey.

Lisa said she hoped the launch of the Community Safety and Prevention Board would mark a watershed moment in how partner agencies work together in the county.

Lisa chaired the first meeting of the board last week at Surrey Police’s Mount Browne HQ which set out its aims to reduce crime, disorder, serious violence and anti-social behaviour and prevent harm in communities.

The Commissioner was joined at the meeting by Surrey’s Chief Constable Tim De Meyer and key representatives of partner agencies across the county including Surrey Fire and Rescue, the Crown Prosecution Service and Surrey County Council.

The new board has been established to create a dedicated space for partner agencies to focus on community safety issues which were previously considered as part of the county’s Health and Wellbeing Board. It will focus on six priority areas going forward:

  • Violence against women and girls and domestic abuse
  • Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and community harm
  • Serious Violence
  • The Prevent Strategy
  • Serious organised crime
  • Hate crime and community cohesion

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “Surrey is already one of the safest places to live in the country but there is always more we can all do to prevent crime and protect our residents.

“That is why I am delighted to have chaired the first meeting of this new board which I hope will be a watershed moment in how we approach community safety in our county.

“There has been some amazing work already happening in Surrey but at a countywide level we need now, more than ever, to collectively come together to prevent harm in our communities.

“Issues such as ASB, violence, fraud, substance misuse, gang involvement and online threats are real risks for society across the UK and we are no different here in Surrey.

“Policing cannot solve this alone. That is why it is so important to get all of our key partners around the table, working together to create safe communities in Surrey where residents are protected and supported.”