Category: Working with communities to feel safe

“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 in Surrey

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.”

Two people stand together with their hands clasped looking at the camera. To the left of the image is Lisa Townsend, wearing a yellow jumper and black trousers. To the right is PCSO John Savage, who wears full uniform and a hat. They are standing in Farncombe centre, and a sign above their heads reads 'Farncombe'.

“Shoplifters are warned – the person standing next to you in the aisle could be a plain-clothed officer”

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Plain-clothed officers are patrolling businesses across Guildford and Waverley as part of a new crackdown on retail crime in Surrey. 

The Behavioural Detection Officers, who are trained to spot suspicious behaviour, joined uniformed colleagues for a week-long operation targeting shop theft across both boroughs.  

Retail staff were also visited by officers and PCSOs during the initiative, which aims to drive down offences, provide advice to retail workers and reassure the business community. 

Over the course of the week, eight people were arrested for theft offences, and four charged and remanded to court. 

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, joined patrols in Guildford and Farncombe this month.

The Commissioner has vowed a return to “back-to-basics policing” in her Police and Crime Plan, a blueprint for the Force’s priorities over the next three years. 

The Plan launched as the Force celebrates some significant recent successes. 

This month, six thieves who travelled across the south of England stealing more than £130,0000-worth of goods from supermarkets were sentenced after Surrey PC Ben Marshall unravelled two years of offending. 

Meanwhile, a targeted partnership initiative in Redhill has resulted in 155 arrests, including for retail theft, while a prolific shoplifter was held in the north of the county in January. 

In the past 12 months, shoplifting charges have increased four-fold, with 876 more offences charged across the county. 

Force’s success

Lisa said: “The progress we have seen over the course of the year has been really impressive, and Surrey Police is now one of the fastest-improving forces in the country. 

“But I have heard, loud and clear, that more must be done to tackle retail crime. 

“During patrols in Farncombe and Guildford this month, I spoke with retailers, officers, PCSOs and residents about the scale of the problem. 

“I am in no doubt that retail crime has a significant impact to its victims, who are caused financial, emotional, and sometimes physical harm. 

“Shoplifters are warned”

“This type of offending also harms wider communities, resulting in people feeling less safe. 

“The campaign I have joined uses plain-clothed officers who blend in with the public to spot suspicious behaviour and halt offenders in their tracks. 

“Shoplifters are warned – the person browsing the aisle beside them could be a Surrey Police officer. 

“Our teams are committed to tackling retail crime and subjecting offenders to the full force of the law.” 

Survey closes

A survey on the impact of retail crime has now closed.  

More than 200 members of the business community had their say as part of the poll, which was launched by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) and Surrey Police in March. 

A report on retail crime and the Force’s response will be published by the OPCC in the coming months. 

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

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

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

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

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

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

Plans submitted

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

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

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

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

“Exciting development”

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

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

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

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

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

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

Time is running out to have your say in new survey on the impact of retail crime in Surrey

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Time is running out for members of the business community to have their say on the impact of retail crime.

Just a week remains to fill in a new survey, launched by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner in partnership with Surrey Police.

Respondents are being asked about their experiences of this type of offending, as well as any economic, emotional or physical harm suffered.

Retail crime has a significant impact in Surrey, and both Commissioner Lisa Townsend and Chief Constable Tim De Meyer are determined to deal with offenders robustly and listen closely to concerns.

Last week, six thieves who travelled across the south of England stealing more than £130,0000-worth of goods were sentenced after Surrey PC Ben Marshall unravelled two years of offending.

Meanwhile, a targeted partnership initiative in Redhill over the past year has resulted in 155 arrests, including for retail theft, while a prolific shoplifter was held in the north of the county in January.

While every effort has been made to share the survey with as many people as possible, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has urged recipients to share the link within their networks to allow us to hear from anyone who would like to respond.

“Far from a ‘victimless crime'”

The Commissioner said: “This type of criminality is far from a ‘victimless crime’, and we are determined to tackle it head-on.

“Entire communities can be affected by retail crime. It can make those who live and work in Surrey feel less safe on the streets.

“While arrests, convictions and out-of-court interventions for retail crime are improving in the county, we know there is more work to do, and I urge Surrey’s business community to share their thoughts in our survey.”

155 arrests, 25 years in prison for offenders and 10kg of suspected cocaine seized – Safer Redhill celebrates a year of success

Posted on | by Alex Winter

A YEAR of partnership working in Redhill has led to 25 years in prison for offenders and the seizure of 10kg of suspected cocaine.

Safer Redhill, an initiative designed to cut crime and foster pride in the town, brings together Surrey Police, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and YMCA East Surrey, as well as local business and community partners.

The initiative is supported by funding secured through the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, including £265,000 of Safer Streets funding and £58,000 from the Community Safety Fund.

The project adopts the College of Policing’s ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ framework, a three-stage approach where police ‘clear’ offenders from Redhill and work in tandem with interventions from partners to ensure it remains that way.

Campaign’s success

From joint drugs operations at Redhill train station to plain clothed officers deployed at night to spot suspicious behaviour, a huge range of activity has had extensive results, including:

  • 155 arrests for offences including assaults, burglary, drink driving, drug supply and shoplifting
  • 93 charges, of which 81 were charged and remanded
  • A combined prison time of 25 years for local offenders, with many more still to appear for trial
  • Two Criminal Behaviour Orders issued for anti-social behaviour and 80 Community Resolutions issued for offences such as possession of a small quantity of drugs, low value and first time shoplifting offences and minor public order incidents
  • Over £7,000 worth of fines, court costs and victim surcharges issued by the courts
  • 86 drug seizures, including 10kg of suspected cocaine
  • £89,000 cash recovered and weapons taken off the streets
  • 15 vehicles seized and driving disqualification penalties issued that total 8.5 years.

Alongside enforcement activity, the local policing team has built strong relationships within the town, from engaging with students at colleges and holding Meet the Beat sessions to licensing visits with the council’s Joint Enforcement Team.

‘Incredibly proud’

Borough Commander Jon Vale said: “I’m incredibly proud of the efforts of all our partners to address crime in Redhill and help people feel safer in the town.

“It’s a team effort and I’m grateful to all the businesses, organisations and residents who are supporting this project to take pride in Redhill.

“When our communities look at the number of arrests and charges we’ve made over the past year, I want to reassure residents that it’s through the work we’ve been doing that we’re able to seek out and clear this crime from the town.

“Surrey remains one of the safest counties in the UK and our enforcement activities have had a strong impact in Redhill. Since we began our increased police activity, we’ve seen a significant decrease in crimes such as shoplifting, sexual assaults, serious attacks, robbery and anti-social behaviour.”

Safer Redhill aims to have a lasting impact and there is significant work going on to improve the area.

Lasting impact

Local initiatives include solar lighting and a mural designed by young people in Memorial Park, detached youth work by the YMCA and women’s self defence classes by Redhill Boxing Club.

The latest addition to the town will be the installation of two bleed kits by the Safer Redhill partnership, which have been installed next to defibrillators as part of the town’s provision to support people in medical emergencies.

Results from the Force’s regular neighbourhood survey indicate these changes are making a difference, showing an increase in the community’s trust and confidence in the police.

Surrey Police will soon launch a bespoke survey for residents and visitors to Redhill to tell officers where to focus their continued efforts.

Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, stands in a high street. Behind her are shops and people walking. She wears a blue coat with its collar upturned. Her blonde hair is loose and she is smiling.

Surrey’s business community asked to have their say in retail crime survey

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, and Surrey Police’s Chief Constable, Tim De Meyer, are today asking members of the business community to have their say on the impact of retail crime.

It is recognised that retail crime has a significant impact in Surrey, and both the Commissioner and the Chief Constable are determined to deal with offenders robustly and listen closely to concerns.

Open letter to Surrey’s business community

While every effort has been made to share the survey with as many people as possible, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has urged recipients to share the link within their networks to allow us to hear from anyone who would like to respond.

Chief Constable Tim De Meyer said: “Retail crime is far from a ‘victimless crime’. It leads to fear and loss across a whole network from business owners to employees and customers – who are all part of a community we are here to protect.  

“We are committed to tackling retail crime head on, relentlessly pursuing those who steal from shops. To do so, we rely on thefts being reported so that we can identify hotspots and trends, act swiftly, and prevent crime from happening and catch the offenders where it does occur.   

“Pursuing all appropriate avenues to identify offenders, collect evidence, recover stolen property, ensure witnesses are located and interviewed, and get these crimes to court, is a priority for our officers.  

“Work continues to deal robustly with offenders of retail crime. We have made great strides in this area, but there is more to do. With your help, I am sure that we can improve even more.”

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, said: “Retail crime can impact entire communities.

“As well as the economic, emotional and sometimes physical harm caused, this criminality can make those who live and work in Surrey feel less safe. 

“Reports of retail crime are rising, not only in Surrey, but around the country. However, we are pleased to say that arrests, convictions and out-of-court interventions for retail crime are improving.

“There is more work to do and I urge Surrey’s business community to share their thoughts in our survey.”

Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, at Guildford train station with the Street Angels

20 ambulance call-outs averted each year by the team with pockets full of lollipops – meet the Street Angels

Posted on | by Alex Winter

THOUSANDS of conversations, 20 ambulance calls averted – and 3,500 lollipops handed out.

These are just some of the successes achieved by Guildford’s Street Angel volunteers every year.

The team, managed by Guildford Town Centre Chaplaincy, receive a crucial £5,000 grant each year from Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend‘s Community Safety Fund for a coordinator.

And last week, the Commissioner joined a Saturday night shift.

During the evening, Lisa and the team helped a young man who’d had too much to drink, visited the train station to make sure travellers were safe, and picked up glass bottles that could otherwise be used as weapons.

The volunteers give their time once a month between 11pm and 4am on a Friday or Saturday night to provide practical care and support to anyone who may have found themselves in a vulnerable state.

They help those who are intoxicated, homeless, or victims of assault – and are perhaps best-known for their pockets filled with lollipops.

Lisa has often supported the Angels with grants, most recently contributing £500 for volunteer uniforms, first aid kits, emergency blankets and flip-flops.

Volunteers have been giving their time for the past 17 years. The current team of 50 encounter 3,400 people, including 50 homeless people, and pick up more than 3,100 bottles in an average year. During their shifts, they walk around 10,000 steps.

Anyone interested in volunteering is urged to contact the Chaplaincy via their website, gtcc.org.uk/street-angels/

Lisa said: “I’m so proud to support the Street Angels, who make such a positive difference in Guildford.

Meet the Angels

“This evening, we’ve visited the train station, where we know trouble can happen during the evenings. We’ve spoken with door staff at a range of venues around the town and stopped to chat to young people enjoying their night out.

“The Angels all give their time to make sure their community is safe.

“Most people will know them for the lollipops, as well as the flip-flops they give to those who have given up on uncomfortable shoes, but all who encounter the team will remember their kindness and care.

“I’d encourage anyone with an interest to visit the team’s website and sign up for a trial volunteer shift.”

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. 

Commissioner draws up plans for police priorities as roadshow attended by hundreds draws to a close

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Hundreds of Surrey residents have had their say on the issues that affect them most as the Policing Your Community roadshow returned during the autumn and winter.

The events, which took place in each of the county’s 11 boroughs, as well as online, gave audiences the opportunity to share their thoughts about crime and policing where they live.

The series kicked off in Guildford borough in late September, and concluded with an online meeting on January 13. Around 100 people attended the virtual event, where questions ranging from CCTV use in Guildford and Cobham to delays to court cases were asked.

During the meetings, hosted by Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, Surrey Police Chief Constable Tim De Meyer, and each of the Borough Commanders, a number of common concerns emerged.

These include anti-social behaviour, burglary, police visibility and shoplifting.

Hundreds have their say

The Commissioner will shortly launch her Police and Crime Plan, created with the input of residents, community groups, businesses and victims’ services across Surrey.

The Plan, which provides a blueprint for policing priorities in the county until 2028, will reflect the concerns raised by communities.

Lisa is also currently asking residents what they’d be prepared to pay to support policing in Surrey. You can have your say HERE.

Surrey Police is dedicated to tackling crime. In the past 12 months, the force has more than doubled its charge rate, with an additional 3,500 offences prosecuted.

An additional 2,500 arrests have been made, and both burglary and assault with injury charges have increased by 90 per cent, while shoplifting offences have increased four-fold, with 876 more offences charged across the country.

Charges more than double

Meanwhile, charge rates for offences related to violence against women and girls, rape and child abuse have doubled.

Funding secured by the Commissioner is being used across the county to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime hotspots in 10 of the 11 boroughs.

The Commissioner said: “The most crucial part of my role is to represent the voices of Surrey’s residents when it comes to policing.

“The Policing Your Community events allowed both myself and the Chief Constable to hear what people are most concerned about where they live, and to answer any questions they may have.

‘Taking the fight to criminals’

“My upcoming Police and Crime Plan, which sets the priorities for police in Surrey, will reflect some of the issues we have heard during the roadshow.

“The Chief’s own plan, which is designed to take the fight to criminals by relentlessly pursuing the most prolific offenders, tackling pockets of lawlessness, and driving drug dealers and shoplifting gangs out of the county, is working.

“Surrey Police is one of the fastest-improving forces in the country, and our officers and staff are more determined than ever to make this county a hostile place for criminality.

“In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing more about my plans for the coming years, and I’ll be highlighting some of the fantastic work that goes on day in, day out by our hard-working teams.”

Commissioner joins officers on burglary patrol in Surrey Heath as hundreds of homes are visited

Posted on | by Alex Winter

POLICE have visited hundreds of Surrey Heath residents to help them protect their properties from burglars this winter.

Since September 1, 43 burglaries have been committed in the borough.

British Asian communities have been disproportionately affected for their gold jewellery, which is often bought as a wedding gift and passed down through generations.

Senior leaders at Surrey Police shared their efforts to track down burglars during the tenth Policing Your Community event, which took place in Frimley on the evening of Monday, December 2.

Burglary patrol

Borough Commander Gemma Taylor said two members of her team have voluntarily made a permanent move to late shifts to ensure they’re on-hand during the night to support burglary victims.

Meanwhile, her officers have visited almost 400 homes in recent weeks to reassure residents and issue burglary prevention advice and free motion alarms.

Days after the forum, Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend joined Surrey Heath’s Safer Neighbourhood Team for a shift.

During the evening, foot patrols took place in residential areas of Camberley, Windlesham, Frimley, Lightwater, and West End and Bisley.

Prevention advice

Lisa said: “Becoming a victim of a burglary has a really significant impact that often lingers long after the crime has taken place.

“Most burglaries have taken place when residents are out of their homes at work or on the school run. In most cases, their homes were in darkness when the offenders broke in.

“The team here in Surrey Heath are doing all they can to track down the individuals responsible for these appalling crimes, and I know how hard all staff, officers and volunteers are working to end this spate of offending.

“But in the meantime, there are things residents can do to help prevent burglaries.

“Significant impact”

“Always report a burglary on 101 or digital 101, or 999 if a crime is in progress, and please make sure you do this as quickly as possible.

“If you see anything that seems concerning, but you’re not sure if a crime has taken place, you can report it via Surrey Police’s Suspicious Activity Portal.”

Resources to help prevent a crime taking place are available via surrey.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/protect-home-crime/keep-burglars-out-property.