Category: Working with communities to feel safe

The image shows Commissioner Lisa Townsend, a blonde woman in a yellow t-shirt, and a Surrey Police contact officer in branded uniform. Both women are wearing headsets and looking intently at a screen just off camera.

Commissioner hails “dramatic improvements” as Surrey Police becomes second-fastest at answering 999 calls

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner has hailed a “dramatic improvement” in the time it takes Surrey Police to answer and respond to 999 and 101 calls. 

Lisa Townsend praised contact centre staff and officers for a slew of significant changes, which have seen the Force climb national league tables for 999 call answering times. 

It comes as His Majesty’s Inspectorate for Constabulary and Fire lifts its ‘causes of concern’ for Surrey Police after an inspection in 2023.

During the inspection for the Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy (PEEL) review, issues around the service residents receive when they contact their police were highlighted. 

In the time since the review, the operation of Surrey Police’s contact centre – based at Force HQ in Guildford – has been overhauled. 

Contact centre overhaul

The control room and contact centre were merged, with staff now working from the same location. The number of supervisors and call takers increased, and a new grading system for triaging calls was implemented.

As a result of the changes, officers now attend the most serious calls for service – known as a Grade 1 response – within 13 minutes. This is seven minutes quicker than the 20-minute national standard. 

Non-emergency calls made to 101 are now answered six minutes faster than in December 2024, with an average answer time of 12 seconds – down from 3.4 minutes. Call abandonment rates have dropped from 36 per cent to seven per cent. 

999 calls are answered in an average of three seconds and dealt with three minutes faster. The abandonment rate has dropped from 11 per cent to two per cent. 

The Force is now the second-fastest in the country when it comes to answering 999 calls. 

“Delighted”

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “I am delighted with the dramatic improvements Surrey Police has made since our 2023 PEEL review. 

“It is fantastic news that the average waiting time for a 999 call in Surrey is now just two seconds, and that the Force is the second-fastest in the country to answer these emergency calls. 

“These changes are not only significant, but sustained. The Force’s progress continues to this day. 

“I know from speaking to residents that being able to get hold of Surrey Police when you need them is absolutely vital and a call into our contact centre can be a matter of life or death.

Commissioner’s thanks

“Since I recruited Chief Constable Tim De Meyer three years ago, a key priority for both us was making sure that when the Surrey public needed police, they receive the quick and effective response they rightly expect.

“I’d like to thank every officer and member of staff who has worked tirelessly to achieve this turnaround and deliver the results we are seeing for Surrey’s residents.

“Their efforts make a real difference to those facing some of the most challenging moments of their lives.” 

Assistant Chief Constable Sarah Grahame said: “These are not just statistics.

‘Concern’ lifted

“They represent real people receiving help more quickly; victims feeling heard; vulnerable individuals getting a timely response; and communities gaining confidence in their local police.

“Having the causes of concern lifted is a significant achievement, but it is not the end of the journey. The public’s expectations continue to rise, and so do ours. Our responsibility now is to maintain this level of service, continue to learn, and keep improving.”

His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Inspector Roy Wilsher, who has responsibility for Surrey Police, said: “I am pleased that Surrey Police has made significant progress in these areas since we raised these causes of concern.”

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.

Police teams will be resourced to take the fight to criminals, says Commissioner as council tax rise approved

Posted on | by Nathan Rees

Policing teams will be properly resourced to take the fight to criminals in Surrey over the coming year, the Police and Crime Commissioner said after her budget proposals were given the green light today. 

Lisa Townsend’s suggested 4.4 per cent increase in the policing element of council tax, known as the precept, was approved at a meeting of Surrey’s Police and Crime Panel at Woodhatch Place in Reigate this afternoon. 

Nine members of the Panel voted on the Commissioner’s proposal, with seven votes in favour and two against.

It means an average Band D property in the county will be charged £15 extra a year, or just over £1 more each month, during 2026/27.  

Recommendation approved

The Commissioner said that the council tax rise would ensure Surrey Police can continue to build on the fantastic progress already made – keeping more criminals off the streets, strengthening neighbourhood policing and ensuring victims receive the support they need.

Lisa said the Force is making “incredible” strides, doubling the number of charges across the board and solving 40 per cent more crimes. 

Burglary rates have been cut by 14 per cent over the past year, while charges for shoplifting have increased by 465 per cent and charges for rape have doubled.  

These improvements have taken place against a backdrop of rising demand and increasing cost pressures, with the Force still needing to find savings of £5.5million this year and a further £8.1million over the following three years. 

Survey completed

For every pound of the precept set, Surrey Police receives an extra half a million pounds. 

The total contribution towards policing for an average Band D household will now stand at £352.57 for 2026/27. 

During December and January, the Commissioner’s office carried out a public survey in which more than 2,400 people gave their views on her proposal.

The proposal was originally based on the assumption the Government would allow PCCs to raise a maximum of £14 a year on a Band D property in line with previous years.

“Incredible strides”

57 per cent of respondents supported the proposal. In fact, the settlement for this year allowed a maximum precept of £15, which the Commissioner proposed to the Police and Crime Panel today.

Lisa said: “Surrey Police has made incredible strides over the last two years in challenging circumstances.

“I have been all over the county talking to residents who have told me loud and clear that they want to see: visible policing in their communities and our teams tackling the crimes that are important to them where they live.

“And Surrey Police are delivering. Burglary rates are down, vehicle crime is down, shoplifting charges have risen by 465 per cent, and the overall charge rate has more than doubled.

Force’s successes

“This has only been made possible by the contributions the Surrey public make through their council tax, which remain absolutely crucial.

“I vowed last year that the precept will always be used to ensure that our officers and staff are doing what only they can – fighting crime, taking offenders off our streets and keeping our communities safe.

“I make that same pledge again today. These improvements must be sustained and built on by the Force and I know the Chief Constable is up to the challenge.

“It is of course never easy to ask the public to pay more money for their policing and it is not a decision I take lightly.

Challenges ahead

“But in the face of some tough financial challenges, we have a stark choice. The reality is that without the precept increase, we risk undoing all the hard work Surrey Police have put into the last two years, as well as providing a reduced service to our communities.

“That is not a risk I am prepared to take. Our survey showed that the majority of the Surrey public who took part support this view, and I want to thank everyone who took the time to give me their thoughts.

“We live in challenging financial times and setting the 2026/27 budget has been particularly difficult. 

“Funding from central Government simply isn’t adequate and among the pressing financial issues we must solve is a £2.2million bill for a well-deserved increase in officer pay.

Commissioner’s responsibilities

“The Government calculated its costs on the deeply flawed national funding formula, which disadvantages Surrey residents, and I will continue to lobby for fairer funding for the remainder of my tenure.

“As Police and Crime Commissioner, my responsibility extends beyond the Force itself.

“I also commission vital services for victims and invest in prevention and early intervention. 

“Victims of criminality, often the most vulnerable in our society, are facing ever-lengthening court delays, with some trials now set for 2029. Our support services are being pushed to the brink of a funding cliff-edge as they try to help as many of these victims as possible. 

Looking to the future

“Where Government funding does not adequately cover these services, it falls to me to ensure they are protected. This is why I included specific provision for this work in my precept proposal.  

“I am pleased that the budget, including the council tax increase, has been confirmed today.

“This means our hard-working officers and staff are properly resourced to continue taking the fight to criminals and making our communities even safer.”

PCC urges public to Question EVERYTHING after Surrey victim loses £20,000 of life savings through deepfake video

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

A Surrey resident has lost £20,000 of his life savings after he was tricked into a scam investment by a deepfake video of TV star ‘Martin Lewis’.

David*, a retired engineer, spotted a video on Facebook of who he believed was ‘Martin’, the Money Saving Expert, promoting an investment scheme.

Fraudsters then persuaded David – not his real name – to part with various sums of money before he realised that he had been duped but it was too late.

David has told his story as a warning to others about how easy it is to be deceived by artificial intelligence (AI) scammers as part of Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend’s ‘Question EVERYTHING’ campaign.

Sophisticated fake content

The campaign aims to highlight the emerging threat of criminals using AI and deepfakes to create increasingly sophisticated fake content designed to scam victims.

As part of ‘Question EVERYTHING’, Lisa created a deepfake video of herself to convey how realistic and deceptive this technology can be. A free information guide called: ‘The dangers of AI and deepfakes: How to avoid becoming the victim of AI generated scams’ was produced by the Commissioner’s office to accompany the film.

David said: “‘Martin’ [Lewis] was promoting an investment that was available to anyone, and should be taken seriously, as a way to boost your savings. There was a link attached. All you had to do was invest £200 and watch your investment grow.”

David watched his funds increase in a short number of months and so deposited a further five thousand pounds into the account. Once the value had reached £25,000, he wanted to withdraw some money.

‘I was in too deep’

He said: “This is when it all started to change. When I requested to withdraw some funds, I was confronted with making “liquidity” or “security” payments which I was told would be refunded the next day.  I was told that this was necessary because the funds were coming from Crypto investments”.

After paying the sum of £5,000 needed to release the money, David was then informed that a further £10,000 was required for ‘faster payments’.

He added: “By the time I realised what was happening I was in too deep and couldn’t get out without losing my money. I felt stupid for getting into this situation and ashamed to tell my wife that I had lost some of our savings.”

Martin Lewis

Lisa said: “This comes at a time when fraudsters are increasingly turning to AI to create slick personalised messaging, craft lifelike looking deepfake videos and clone authentic sounding voices.

“Martin Lewis is currently the most frequently impersonated high-profile person by fraudsters who use sophisticated AI methods to make adverts look real. 

“AI generated technology is also being used to automate frauds and increase their reach to prey on unsuspecting individuals.”

“Upsetting”

David added: “It has been a very stressful and upsetting time since this all started last March.

“It still goes on.

“I am contacted almost daily by individuals making 100% promises that they can get my money back, but I know that they are all disingenuous.”

Question EVERYTHING is being supported by Surrey Police, Victim and Witness Care Unit, and Surrey’s Community and Safety Prevention Board.

To find the Question EVERYTHING campaign film with deepfake and free online information guide, visit surrey-pcc.gov.uk/question-everything-fraud/ 

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.

150 arrests as repeat offenders targeted during new Safer Epsom and Ewell partnership

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Police have made 150 arrests as part of a new Safer Epsom and Ewell partnership that has been partly-funded by Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend.

Shoplifters, drug dealers, prolific offenders and those using vehicles like e-bikes and mopeds to commit crime are among those who have been targeted by policing teams.

The new initiative, designed to cut crime and foster pride in the town, brings together Surrey Police, Epsom and Ewell Borough Council, and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, as well as local business and community partners.

The project adopts the College of Policing’s ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ framework, a three-stage approach where police ‘clear’ offenders from Epsom and Ewell and work in tandem with partners to ensure criminals don’t return.

It comes after a survey of residents found drug dealing and use is a major concern. Only 26 per cent of those surveyed said they feel the borough is a safe place to live.

Safer Epsom and Ewell

Over the past six months, 150 arrests have been made. Ten ‘county lines’ drug dealing gangs have been shut down and more than £20,000-worth of class A drugs seized, along with eight knives and £20,000 in cash.

Police have used data to identify the most prolific offenders, and are working with partners in criminal justice, local authorities and housing to tackle persistent criminality. Dedicated operations to tackle violence against women and girls are also taking place.

Borough Commander Inspector Tommy Pearson said: “The community of Epsom and Ewell has the right to feel safe in the area they call home, and this partnership represents a long-term commitment to that principle. 

“Policing action over the last six months has sought to target our prolific offenders, disrupt drug county lines and reduce the harm caused by criminality for members of the community. 

“Residents were keen for action in the town, and I am hopeful, along with the fellow officers on my team, that this is evident in our efforts so far.” 

Prolific offenders targeted

Throughout December, officers from the Epsom and Ewell Safer Neighbourhood Team were deployed as part of Operation Jingle, which featured high-visibility patrols in town centres.

Detections for theft rose to 45 per cent during the operation, compared with a national average of 20 per cent.

Sergeant James Pegg of the Epsom and Ewell Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “We are determined to drive crime and disorder out of the town centre and Operation Jingle, despite the jovial name, has set a hard-line stance against theft and drug offenders.  

“The operation has been hugely successful.

County lines tackled

“Being out in the community we serve in large numbers has received positive feedback from our residents and visitors alike, and has sent a strong message to those that wish to steal and harm: you are not welcome in our town.”

In the months to come, the Force will work alongside the North East Surrey College of Technology (NESCOT), Surrey County Council, Town and Country Housing and the borough council in a bid to make lasting change.

The focus of work will fall on six key areas: housing; anti-social behaviour; improving the local environment; increasing access to opportunities and resources to help women and girls; promoting youth voice; and employment.

The Commissioner has contributed £20,000 from her dedicated Serious Violence Duty fund and helped to secure further funding from the Government’s hotspot policing grant for Safer Epsom and Ewell.

The initiative follows the success of Safer Redhill, which also used Clear, Hold, Build and saw offending drop in the town.

“Lasting legacy”

She said: “The persistent offenders who have repeatedly committed crimes in Epsom and Ewell should be very worried. The message is clear – we are coming for you.

“Safer Epsom and Ewell uses intelligence and data to crack down on place-based harm.

“I believe it will leave a lasting legacy of safer streets, stronger communities, and excellent partnership working, and I am delighted to help fund the initiative.

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

Happy 175th anniversary Surrey Police!

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, is celebrating the 175th anniversary of Surrey Police with a series of special features and pictures on the history of the Force.

The Commissioner will be delving into the archives to highlight some of the key moments spanning nearly two centuries since Surrey Police was created which will be featured on the PCC’s website and social media channels.

Lisa Townsend holding a picture of PC Charles Carpenter – one of the earliest images of a Surrey Constabulary officer taken in 1857

Founded on January 1st, 1851, Surrey Police was originally named Surrey Constabulary until 1993 and originated with only seventy police officers and five superintendents. 

Over the decades, the evolution of a single unitary Force has developed whilst encountering growth, divide, mergers, re-structuring and boundary changes.

Murder of a clergyman

The establishment of Surrey Constabulary in 1851 came at a time of rising fear in the county where a group of violent criminals known as the ‘Isaacs Gang’ terrorised the areas of Surrey and Sussex throughout the 1840s. 

The murder of clergyman, Reverand Hollest at his home in Frimley in 1850 caused significant public alarm and has been viewed as the catalyst in bringing together formal organised policing in the county.



Adversity, courage and humanity

Lisa Townsend says: “I’m fascinated by the history of the Force and plan to share stories in which Surrey police have pioneered, alongside policing tales of adversity, courage and humanity.

“A great believer that ‘a picture tells a thousand words’, I’m going to post a ‘policing picture of the week’ over the next few months that’s been carefully selected from the archives. 

“My first image is of PC Charles Carpenter that was taken in 1857 and is one of the first known photographs of a serving Surrey Constabulary officer. 

“Blinded in one eye after being hit by a stone on the job, PC Carpenter served the villagers of Clandon and would have earnt a weekly wage of around 18 shillings, or 12p in today’s money.

A proud history

“The history of the Force is both fascinating and enriching.  As the new year beckons, I want to say a huge thank you to all Surrey police officers and staff – both former and current – for their dedication and resolve.

“Without them, there wouldn’t be a history to be proud of”.

Today, Surrey Police has a workforce of around 4,000 officers and staff, serving 1.2 million residents of Surrey and an area of 642 square miles.

Find out more on our new dedicated webpage, which you can find here.

The image shows Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, a blonde woman in a green dress, standing in front of a brick building. The building has a sign outside which reveals it to be the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. Lisa is leaning against a blue handrail, looking directly into the camera, and smiling.

New Surrey Police base set for Redhill next year, Commissioner announces

Posted on | by Nathan Rees

A new Surrey Police base is set to be created following the successful purchase of a site in the Redhill area, the Police and Crime Commissioner has announced today.

The building at Perrywood Business Park on Honeycrock Lane in Salfords has been bought with a view to providing a permanent police station and front counter for the public.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend hailed the purchase, which was finalised this week, as great news for the Force’s policing presence in East Surrey.

It follows an extensive search for a potential site in the Reigate and Banstead area.

New base

In 2023, police teams were forced to move out of the old Reigate Police Station following the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).

Many have been operating out of a temporary location at nearby Wray Park in the meantime.

Last year Surrey Police announced plans to build a brand new Eastern Divisional HQ at a site in Leatherhead already owned by the Force and recently received resolution to grant planning permission,

But the Police and Crime Commissioner and senior Force leaders also wanted to find a secondary site in the Reigate and Banstead area for a police station and front counter service for residents.

The building at Perrywood Business Park was the only site in the area that met the requirements and will be funded by the sale of the previous Reigate Police Station.

The Commissioner believes the new building will be fit for purpose offering sufficient space and facilities for policing teams with ample parking and good local transport links which will help Surrey Police to continue delivering the high levels of service residents expect.

“Bright future”

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “I know how much residents value their local policing presence so this is really fantastic news for our communities in the area.

“The discovery of RAAC and subsequent closure of Reigate Police Station has meant it has been a disruptive time for our hard-working teams in East Surrey.

“I want to pay tribute to their continued patience, professionalism and resilience in challenging circumstances.

“The search for a site in the Reigate and Banstead area has been extensive and Perrywood was the only building which met our needs so I am delighted that we have been able to secure the purchase.

“I believe that together with the progress being made on our new Eastern Division HQ in Leatherhead, this heralds a bright future for policing in East Surrey.”

Deputy Chief Constable of Surrey Police Mark McEwan said: “We believe this new building will provide sufficient space and facilities for our teams, be fit for purpose and enable us to continue delivering the high levels of service our residents expect. 

“Whilst we are still at the very early stages, considerations continue into where individual teams across the Eastern division will be based in the future and we will provide updates as and when we have them.  

“The safety of our communities remains our priority and there will be no change to officers continuing to patrol across the towns and villages of the local area as they already do. ”

The image shows Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, a blonde woman in a white shirt, standing in front of a Surrey Police building. She is beneath a sign that says 'Surrey Police HQ Mount Browne.' Her hands are clasped and she is looking directly into the camera.

Would you pay a little extra council tax to support the fight against crime? Have your say on police funding!

Posted on | by Nathan Rees

Surrey residents are being asked whether they would be prepared to pay a little extra so police teams can continue taking the fight to criminals in our communities.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said Surrey Police have made incredible strides over the last two years in tackling those issues important to the public.

Burglary and vehicle crime rates are falling, police teams are cracking down on anti-social behaviour, charges for shoplifting have risen by 465 per cent and the overall charge rate has more than doubled in Surrey.

But in order to maintain and build on those improvements over the coming year, the Commissioner says adequate funding is essential to ensure our hard-working police force have the tools for the job.

Council tax survey

Those who live or work in the county are being invited to fill in a brief survey on whether they would support the Commissioner’s proposed increase of a little over £1 extra a month on an average council tax bill for 2026/27.

Complete the survey here

One of Lisa’s key tasks as Commissioner is to set the Surrey Police budget, which includes determining the level of council tax raised for policing in the county, known as the precept.  

This funds the Force together with a grant from central government who also set the maximum precept limit that Commissioners can raise. 

Read frequently asked questions here

The Government assumes in their police funding announcements that all Commissioners will increase to the maximum limit.

Police funding

This year’s settlement, which will include the limit, is yet to be announced but it is anticipated that it will be in line with last year at £14 for an average Band D property. This equates to just over £1 a month for a Band D Council Tax payer.

Despite repeated lobbying to Government to get a fairer share of police grant funding, Surrey Police remains one of the most poorly funded forces in the country. As a result an increase in council tax is vital to give the Force the resources it needs to deliver the services residents depend on.

Every pound of precept amounts to an extra half-a-million pounds in the policing budget.  

The Commissioner said that the contributions the Surrey public make through their council tax is “absolutely crucial” and is continuing to pay dividends for communities.

Charges more than double

The number of charges across the board has more than doubled and 40 per cent more crimes have been solved.

Burglary rates have reduced by 14 per cent over the last year while vehicle crime is down by 36 per cent. The number of charges for rape have doubled. You can find out more on the Commissioner’s Data Hub.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend said: “I vowed last year that the contributions Surrey residents make through their council tax would go towards what policing does best – fighting crime in our local communities, getting tough on offenders and protecting people.  

“The improvements we have seen have been nothing short of incredible.

“Incredible”

“More criminals are being put before the courts and taken off our streets. Burglary and vehicle crime rates have fallen dramatically whilst charges for shoplifting and violence against women and girls have risen hugely

“This has all been made possible by the contributions you, the Surrey public, make through your council tax contributions.

“It is always really tough asking the Surrey tax-payer to pay more money, particularly in the current financial climate. But my job is to ensure our local policing teams remain properly funded in the face of some tough financial challenges.

“The reality is that despite repeated lobbying, the Government’s funding for policing in Surrey is simply inadequate, which is why your contributions remain so crucial to the service the Force is able to provide. I am afraid that an increase of some kind will be needed again this year to ensure that drastic cuts to our workforce can be avoided. 

Savings to be made

“The Force is making every effort to find efficiencies across the board to ensure we provide the very best value for money for our residents. But they still must find in the region of £?m in savings over the next four years.  

“I want to ensure we build on the fantastic progress already made, continue to tackle those crimes important to our residents and invest in those fantastic services in the county that provide truly life-changing support to victims of crime in Surrey. 

“It is important to me to find out what Surrey residents think and whether they would be willing to pay a little extra to support our policing teams again this year. So I would ask everyone to take a minute to fill out our brief survey and give me their views.”  

The council tax survey will close at midnight on 12 January 2026. For more information visit our dedicated webpage.

The image shows two police officers photographed from behind walking down a busy high street.

Retail crime charges rise by 465 per cent in Surrey as report on the impact of offending is released

Posted on | by Alex Winter

More shoplifters are facing justice in Surrey as officers crack down on offenders targeting businesses. 

A 465 per cent increase in shoplifting charges has been recorded by Surrey Police over the past two years.

It comes as Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner and retail crime leads from Surrey Police release their first-ever retail crime report, which sets out the Force’s commitment to victims. 

The report, available to download as PDF here, has been published following a survey of the business community earlier this year. 

Respondents to the survey shared their experiences with retail crime, with some saying insurance premiums had gone up because of repeat incidents. Others said they felt unable to protect themselves from theft. 

Report released

In the spring, Surrey Police launched its Retail Crime Strategy, which commits the Force to attending reports where appropriate, following all reasonable lines of enquiry, targeting repeat offenders and tackling organised criminal networks. 

Positive outcomes for shoplifting have increased since Surrey Police’s Chief Constable, Tim De Meyer, launched his plan for the Force two years ago. 

Positive outcomes for shoplifting have increased dramatically since Surrey Police’s Chief Constable, Tim De Meyer, launched his plan for the Force two years ago. 

Charges have risen by 465 per cent. A total of 1,347 crimes have been charged this year, 1,109 more than were charged in 2023.

Charges rise

The Force aims to increase its rate by 430 charges in the next nine months, which mean Surrey Police were charging one in every four retail crime offences.

More than a quarter – 27.3 per cent – of all shoplifting reports are now resulting in a ‘solved outcome’, which includes charges, summons, community resolutions and cautions. 

Overall, charges for all types of offending in Surrey have more than doubled in a year. 

“Retailers are exhausted”

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, said: “The responses we had to our survey demonstrated very clearly the impact that retail crime has on the business community in Surrey. 

“Retailers are feeling demoralised, exhausted and, in some cases, frightened. It is not acceptable that anyone trying simply to do their job should be targeted by criminals. 

“Retail crime often goes hand-in-hand with other serious offending, including abuse, threats and violence, as well as organised criminality. 

“Its victims include every one of us impacted by rising costs, as well as entire communities who feel less safe. 

Force ‘on a journey’

“It is vital that it is taken seriously. 

“The overall picture in Surrey is one of significant improvement, although there is still a long road ahead to get to where we need to be. 

“We are committed to that journey. This type of offending is a priority for Surrey.” 

Chief Inspector Andy Hill, of Surrey Police, leads the Force’s response to retail crime. 

Work with business community

He said: “We have made positive steps towards tackling retail crime and keeping communities across the county safe. 

“However, we want to do more. 

“Tackling retail crime is a collective effort, and we are committed to working with the business community to drive out offending. 

“While the statistics show we are going in the right direction, it’s important to remember that at the heart of every offence are real victims who may be deeply affected. 

“We must continue to do the right thing for every one of them.” 

AI deepfake Commissioner created to raise awareness of new Question Everything fraud campaign

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, has created her own deepfake video to highlight the dangers of AI generated fraud as part of a new campaign: Question EVERYTHING. 

The video shows a deepfake of the Commissioner promoting a new financial scheme open to every Surrey resident.

It was released on the PCC’s social media channels this morning enticing users to find out how they could “secure money in their bank accounts”.

The ‘fake’ moving image of Lisa explains how registration simply involves confirming a couple of personal details including residential address and online bank details.

The film then swiftly reveals the ‘real’ Lisa Townsend explaining that the financial scheme is not genuine, and that the ‘fake’ Lisa was created using artificial intelligence.

Free guide

The video was released to mark the launch of the Question EVERYTHING campaign which aims to raise awareness of the emerging threat of AI generated fraud and how easy it is for criminals to use the technology to create fake content to scam victims.

The Commissioner’s office has also created a free information guide, The Dangers of AI and Deepfakes: How to Avoid Becoming the Victim of AI Generated Scams.  Both the information guide and campaign film with deepfake is available here.

Lisa said: “Artificial intelligence is becoming more sophisticated every day.

“While it can no doubt bring huge benefits to the way we work and live – it is also being exploited by criminals looking to target people for profit.

“I wanted to create the deepfake video to show how easy it is for fraudsters to convincingly impersonate somebody, particularly those in the public eye. Astonishingly, the fake version of me was primarily generated from a series of still images that were available in the public domain.

‘Fraudsters’ paradise’

“Only three seconds of audio is required to clone a person’s voice to be manipulated and say whatever a criminal wants – the results are frightening.

“At this time of year with Black Friday sales and Christmas fast approaching, I am urging everyone who watches content online, scrolls through social media posts, or receives unexpected phone calls or unsolicited emails to pause and ‘Question EVERYTHING’ that they are watching, reading or hearing.

“AI has made the scammers’ space into a fraudsters’ paradise.”

Question Everything

Fraud is currently the most prevalent crime against an individual accounting for more than 1 in 3 of all crimes, according to The Crime Survey for England and Wales.

And the dangers of deepfakes are apparent as Action Fraud reports that £10 million was lost last year to fraudsters who convinced victims to invest into bogus schemes by using an influential person that had been created by AI.

PC Bernadette Lawrie BEM, Financial Abuse Safeguarding Officer at Surrey Police, said: “The more people understand how AI can be used to deceive, the harder it will become for criminals to exploit that technology.

“Locally, our Operation Signature team is working closely with our Neighbourhood Teams and the Victim and Witness Care Unit, alongside partners in our local councils, banks and community groups to raise awareness and build resilience.

Raising awareness

“We’re sharing intelligence, training frontline staff and volunteers, and equipping the public with practical advice on how to spot the signs and protect themselves against fraud.

“Staying informed, double-checking information, and trusting your instincts can make all the difference. Together, we can make our communities safer in the digital age.”

The Victim and Witness Care Unit (VWCU), a supporting partner of Question EVERYTHING, has seen a clear rise in the number of Surrey residents falling victim to increasingly sophisticated frauds, many of which involve artificial intelligence. 

Rachel Roberts, Head of the VWCU said: “Our dedicated team of three fraud specialists work closely with victims to provide both practical advice and emotional support, helping them recover from what can be an incredibly distressing experience. 

£500,000 scams

“It’s vital that residents stay alert, take a moment to verify what they see or hear, and know that help is available if they do become a victim.”

Lisa said: “Reports of AI-enabled crime pertaining to romance fraud, investment fraud and invoice fraud have had the highest total and average losses overall this year. 

“I was astounded to read examples of individuals who have lost in the region of half a million pounds to AI scams. 

“AI is enabling fraudsters to enhance tried and tested tactics more quickly and commit more sophisticated, high-volume scams, at greater scale. 

“As the application of deepfakes and cloned voices grow, everyone needs to be aware, keeping defences up, to protect themselves from the scammers’ next move. As a community, we must stay vigilant and Question EVERYTHING.”

News:




Anti-social behaviour, hate crime and safety at night: The big issues for Surrey’s young people

Posted on | by Alex Winter

MORE than 1,600 children and young people from across Surrey have had their say on the crime and policing issues that matter most to them. 

Anti-social behaviour, safety at night, hate crime and mental health were among the key issues raised at the Surrey Youth Commission’s annual Big Conversation Conference last week. 

The forum, funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and led by Deputy Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson, aims to put youth voice at the heart of policing in Surrey. 

Members of the Youth Commission consulted peers for their views on a range of topics. Events were held at venues including the University of Surrey, the YMCA, Friday Night Projects at youth clubs, and Surrey Police’s Neighbourhood Conference. 



Youth voice

The findings were presented at an event attended by representatives from Surrey Police, as well as a wide range of partners including the NHS, local authorities, and charities.  

Over the course of the coming year, the Commission will work with partners to deliver campaigns based on their priorities. 

The Deputy Commissioner said: “I am once again really impressed by, and proud of, our Youth Commission members for the incredible amount of work they have done to identify the top issues affecting their peers. 

“Their findings provide us with an invaluable picture of how young people really feel about living in Surrey. This is an age group that often feels as if their voices go unheard. 

“We care very deeply”

“There is a common misconception that young people need to be treated differently, or that their concerns are somehow unique or different.  

“However, I know that what matters to young people is often the same as what matters to residents of all ages.

“Many of the priorities highlighted by the Youth Commission this year align with the concerns I hear from residents of all ages across the county. 

“The turnout at the Big Conversation Conference shows how many of us from policing and other services care very deeply about supporting these young people in making positive change.

Deputy’s pride

“I look forward to seeing what we can help them achieve next year. 

“Everyone involved should be proud of the work they have achieved this year. I am very proud of them.” 

Former Youth Commission member Zara Wainwright, who now helps to manage the group in Surrey, said: “We are building our relationships in the county to connect with more young people than ever before. 

“We received more than 1,600 responses this year, and we’re so grateful to everyone who contributed through peer-to-peer discussions, online surveys, and our interactive workshops designed to spark real conversations.”