Category: Working with communities to feel safe

Nearly 300 motoring offences identified during week-long operation on the M25 in Surrey

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has hailed the vital work of the county’s Roads Policing Unit after joining an operation targeting dangerous and reckless driving on the M25. 

Nearly 300 offences were identified by officers who used an unmarked HGV to patrol Surrey’s stretch of the motorway during a week of action known as Operation Tramline. 

Higher viewpoint

The higher viewpoint from the HGV cab means officers can spot and record driving offences such as using a mobile phone or not wearing a seatbelt more easily than they can form standard patrol vehicles. 

When officers spot offences, they radio to colleagues using unmarked cars and motorbikes to pull the driver over onto the hard shoulder where they may be issued with a fine and penalty points, or a court summons, or potentially be arrested. 

The PCC joined officers on one of the days of the operation and witnessed a number of offences being committed, including a van driver who was caught taking a photo on his phone with no hands on the steering wheel in the outside lane. 

Five days of action

Across the five days of action, which included one in Sussex, police teams stopped 240 motorists, seized 11 vehicles and arrested 12 people including nine for drug driving.  

A total of 155 drivers were fined and issued points on their licence for using their mobile phone at the wheel.  

Op Tramline is run nationally with the aim to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries on Britain’s strategic road network. The HGV’s that are owned by National Highways are shared across the country helping to identify some of the most dangerous road offences.  

“Dangerous roads”

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “The M25 in Surrey is one of the busiest and most dangerous roads in Europe and is used by thousands of motorists very single day.  

“That is why driving offences like speeding, using a mobile and drink or drug driving can have the most devastating consequences. 

“Whilst the vast majority of drivers are safe and follow the law, there are still a significant number of drivers putting themselves and other road users in danger with their reckless behaviour. 

“It is disappointing that our officers have witnessed so many driving offences over the course of the week, but it shows why operations like this are so important in tackling that offending and helping keep Surreys’ roads safe. 

“My message to those who continue to flout the rules of our road is simple – our policing teams are cracking down on reckless and dangerous driving. Whilst we can’t be everywhere, we could be anywhere.”

Have your say on community safety!

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

Do you feel safe in your community? Do you feel supported by those around you? Do you feel like you belong in Surrey?  

Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend is calling on residents to take part in a survey about their experiences living in the county which will help shape the future of community safety in our neighbourhoods. 

Lisa chairs the Surrey Community Safety and Prevention Board in Surrey which is made up of partner agencies across the county who work together to make our communities feel safer for residents. 

Surrey County Council, on behalf of the board, have launched a survey to find out people’s perceptions of safety and what matters most to them where they live. 

It can be found here: Surrey Community Safety and Cohesion Survey 2026 | Healthy Surrey 

“Your feedback will help us”

Lisa said: “We hope that your feedback will help us identify emerging issues and inform what our priorities need to be going forward.  

“If you’re 16 or older and living in Surrey we want to hear about what matters most to you. Is it crime? Is it anti-social behaviour? Or is it community cohesion? We want to hear from you!” 

The survey is totally anonymous, takes less than 10 minutes to complete and can be found on the Surrey PCC website and social media pages. 

It closes on Monday 21st September 2026. 

Deputy Commissioner encourages current and former members of the UK Armed Forces to sign up to the Forcer Protocol

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

Earlier this year, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson spoke at the Surrey Armed Forces Covenant Conference, to launch a life-saving initiative, The Forcer Protocol, in Surrey. 

Access point

The scheme, dedicated to locating and protecting serving and former armed service personnel who go missing, provides a quick and secure access point to the missing person’s information and identifies support services and specialist aftercare to prevent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related suicide. However, it relies on current and former service personnel to sign up to it now.

Founded by Claire Lilly and named in honour of her husband Lance Corporal Alan James Forcer – a veteran who tragically took his own life due to complex PTSD – the protocol was created to ensure that no service man or woman would be left unsupported during a mental health crisis.

Adopting the Protocol in Surrey reflects a wider commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, supporting the unique needs, care and support required by current and former serving personnel.

A report by the Office of National Statistics revealed that there 253 deaths by suicide within the UK armed Forces community in 2021 – that is the equivalent of almost 5 suicides a week.

“Necessary initiative”

Ellie who holds the portfolio for military and veterans within the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner says: “The Forcer Protocol is a necessary initiative to appropriately support our armed forces community. 

“For those who have dutifully served their country, it’s our moral obligation to recognise that the experiences they’ve had on the front line may impact their quality of life back home.

“The Forcer Protocol puts in place a joined-up approach to identify vulnerable people from the armed forces community, reducing the time to locate missing persons, and then providing support and aftercare suited to their needs.

“I urge anyone who is a current or former member of the UK armed forces to sign up.  You can also sign up on behalf of a friend or family member.   It only takes a couple of minutes and could save a life.”

For more information or to sign up for yourself, a friend or a family member, please register here. 

Commissioner meets the Redhill helicopter team who can spot a number on a lanyard from 1,200 feet

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

With more than 20,000 hours of flying time, one helicopter based at Redhill Aerodrome has supported police in Surrey to save thousands of lives – and make countless arrests.

State-of-the-art cameras

The navy and yellow National Police Air Service (NPAS) aircraft is fitted with state-of-the-art cameras that can read an employee number on a lanyard from 1,200 feet up.  And unlike any other police vehicle, the helicopter can make the journey from Redhill to Brighton – some 33 miles south – in just 13 minutes. 

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, visited Sergeant Paul Cole at the base to celebrate the service’s successes. 

During the visit, Sgt Cole discussed the helicopter’s capabilities. The aircraft is routinely called into service to find missing people, many of whom will be in crisis.  From the air, the team on board can use thermal cameras to identify heat signatures before guiding officers on the ground to the right location.  The helicopter is frequently deployed to search for criminals or follow cars linked to criminal activity.

High-risk firearms incident

In June, a high-risk firearms incident in Surrey was safely brought to conclusion with support from NPAS.  A suspect believed to be in possession of a rifle following a domestic incident was located from the air.  The crew had been able to identify the suspect’s vehicle parked at a rural camping location and was able to monitor the individual moving to and from a nearby hut, providing real-time intelligence.  This enabled armed officers on the ground to approach with a clear understanding of the risks and layout, leading to the safe arrest of the suspect. A firearm was recovered at the scene.

Redhill Aerodrome is one of 15 regional NPAS bases across England and Wales that together keep 20 helicopters and 4 fixed wing aircraft.

Across the month of July, 3,799 calls for the service were made nationally. And since the start of April 2026, NPAS crews have located 601 vulnerable people, 1831 suspects and 1,153 vehicles.

NPAS’s reach is extensive. In the 12-month period from 1st April 2025 to end of March 2026, there were 39,906 calls made for NPAS teams nationally resulting in 4,382 tasks attended by helicopter crews that led to vulnerable people, suspects and vehicles being located.

“Wonderful experience”

Lisa said: “I have visited the National Police Air Service team at the Redhill Aerodrome a number of times since I became Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, and it’s always a wonderful experience.

“I am consistently struck by the professionalism and dedication of the crew and personnel.

“Having this function based right here in Surrey is a fantastic asset for the county, providing aerial capabilities that supports vulnerable people and helps keep our communities stay safe.

“The service plays an essential role in everything from tracking suspects to supporting search and rescue operations, and I’m proud of the difference it makes to policing in Surrey and beyond.”

The image shows Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, a blonde woman wearing a white shirt, standing in front of a large sign that reads 'Welcome to Surrey Police'. She is looking directly at the camera with a slight smile on her face.

Last chance to have your say on proposed police merger plans!

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed
The image shows Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, a blonde woman wearing a white shirt, standing in front of a large sign that reads 'Welcome to Surrey Police'. She is looking directly at the camera with a slight smile on her face.

It’s the last chance to have your say on whether you agree with plans to merge Surrey Police with its neighbouring forces!

Under Government proposals – Surrey Police could disappear and become part of a larger south-east ‘mega force’.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend is urging the county’s residents to let her know what they think by filling in her brief survey.

Survey closes Monday

But you’ll need to be quick – the survey closes at midnight on Monday (17 August)

It can be found here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/mergers/

Under plans for police reform announced in January, the Government intends to scrap the current 43 force system in England and Wales and create larger regional forces in their place.

It would likely mean Surrey Police will be merged with neighbouring forces to create a ‘mega force’ which could also include Sussex, Thames Valley, Kent and Hampshire.

The Commissioner has voiced her concern at the plans saying she believes it would result in police resources being pulled away from Surrey communities.

Lisa said: “I would urge anyone who lives in Surrey and is interested in the future of policing in our county to fill in my survey and make sure their voice is heard.

“Although the Government are drawing the plans up, the public are not being consulted. That is why I am urging as many people as possible to take a minute to give me their views before the survey closes on Monday.

“Whether you agree with the plans or not – this is a really important decision and I will be sharing the results of this survey with those who are making the decisions around force mergers.

‘Short changed’

“Police reform is 100% needed but I don’t believe a regional ‘mega force’ in the south east is the answer. My concern that these merger plans will leave Surrey residents short changed and dilute the service they receive from their local police teams.

“We are the safest county in the region with no major city and I do not want to see our precious police resources diverted away from communities in Surrey.

“I have been clear in my views but I know they will not be shared by everyone. That is why I am asking everyone to fill in the survey and have your say.”

For further information about the proposals, you can read the Government’s white paper ‘From local to national: a new model for policing’:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/from-local-to-national-a-new-model-for-policing  

Still time to have your say on proposed police merger plans!

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

Have you had your say yet on plans to merge Surrey Police with its neighbouring forces?

Under Government proposals – Surrey could become part of a larger south-east ‘mega force’ which will police a population larger than Greater London, New York or Scotland and Wales combined.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend is urging the county’s residents to let her know what they think by filling in her brief survey.

It is not too late to take part – the survey is open until Monday 17 August and can be found here: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/mergers/

Police reform

Under plans for police reform announced in January, the Government intends to scrap the current 43 force system in England and Wales and create larger regional forces in their place.

It would likely mean Surrey Police will disappear and be merged with neighbouring forces in Sussex, Thames Valley, Kent and Hampshire.

The Commissioner has voiced her concern at the plans saying she believes it would result in police resources being pulled away from Surrey communities leaving it with a second-rate service.

Lisa said: “We have had a great response so far to the survey so but I urge anyone who lives in Surrey and is interested in the future of policing in our county to fill it in and have their say

“Policing is at a vital crossroads right now. We must move with the times and reform is certainly needed but I am really concerned that the residents of Surrey will be left short-changed by these merger plans.

“A south-east region ‘mega force’ would be policing a population of over nine million people – that is more than Scotland and Wales put together.

Safest county

“We are the safest county in the region with no major city and I fear that on a Saturday night, police teams will not be concentrated in our communities in Surrey but will be drawn to places like Dover, Oxford, Reading or Portsmouth.

“This is my view and I know it will not be shared by everyone but although the Government are drawing the plans up, the public are not being consulted.

“That is why I have launched my survey. Whether you agree with the plans or not –  I want to ensure the public of Surrey have a voice on this really important decision and is why I am asking everyone to take a few minutes to fill it in and have their say.

“I will then publish the results later this summer and share them with those who are making the decisions around force mergers.”

For further information about the proposals, you can read the Government’s white paper ‘From local to national: a new model for policing’:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/from-local-to-national-a-new-model-for-policing  

Commissioner urges Surrey residents to report anti-social behaviour and access support

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend is encouraging victims of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) in Surrey to report all concerns straightaway and to the right organisation so that problems are dealt with effectively.

The Commissioner says ASB covers a wide range of issues and it is important for residents to be aware that it is tackled by different agencies, including Surrey Police, local councils and housing providers.

Coinciding with the start of Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week, research out today by You Gov and Resolve – the UK’s leading community safety organisation – reveals that ASB continues to have a significant impact on public confidence. According to the survey, more than 1 in 4 adults (28%) say that ASB has made them feel unsafe in their local area. However, almost two-thirds (63%) of victims and witnesses who have experienced anti-social behaviour in the past three years did not report it to anyone.

Three broad categories

Under the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 and the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, ASB is defined as behaviour that ‘causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to people outside the offender’s household’. It usually falls into three broad categories: personal ASB, where an individual or group is targeted; nuisance ASB, which causes annoyance or suffering to a wider community; and environmental ASB, where behaviour affects public spaces or buildings.

Within those categories are a wide range of behaviours, including offences such as criminal damage, graffiti, taking drugs in public, anti-social use of vehicles, drunken, rowdy or threatening behaviour and vandalism. Other issues, such as persistent noise nuisance, littering or abandoned vehicles, may not always be criminal offences and are often dealt with by councils, housing providers or other agencies.

Dedicated anti-social behaviour team

Because ASB covers such a broad spectrum of incidents, responsibility is shared between a number of organisations. In Surrey, there is a dedicated anti-social behaviour team within Surrey Police that works alongside 30 partner agencies, including local councils, to tackle problems and provide lasting solutions.

The Commissioner has committed to working with Surrey Police and partners to ensure that residents feel listened to, protected and supported.  Last year, Lisa launched the Community Safety and Prevention Board to strengthen collaboration between organisations across Surrey and to close gaps in support available to residents concerned about a number of matters including ASB. The Commissioner’s office also funds Mediation Surrey to provide support free of charge that helps resolve neighbourhood disputes before they escalate.

Persistent anti-social behaviour

Alongside this, the Commissioner supports the Anti-Social Case Review process which gives victims who have reported persistent anti-social behaviour on three or more occasions over a six-month period the opportunity to request a review of their case. If the threshold is met, the local Community Safety Partnership brings together agencies including the police, councils and housing providers to review the action taken and identify whether further measures are needed. The Police and Crime Commissioner’s office provides a route for victims to challenge decisions if they remain dissatisfied after the review. 

Anti-social behaviour is an issue that is frequently raised with the Commissioner.  Lisa is currently hosting a series of Policing your Community engagement events across the county alongside Surrey Police and matters such as the dangerous use of e-bikes and catapult crime have most recently been brought up for discussion.

‘Detrimental impact’

Lisa Townsend said: “Anti-social behaviour can have a detrimental impact on people’s lives and not dealing with it effectively can be devastating.

“It’s concerning that almost two out of three people affected by anti-social behaviour do not report it.  That’s why I want to highlight the different types of anti-social behaviour and the relevant agencies to contact; the importance of timely reporting; and the support available to everyone. 

“It’s deplorable that residents affected by anti-social behaviour feel trapped and helpless as they try to go about their daily lives. I’m committed to listening to residents’ concerns, creating safer communities and providing support to victims.”

More information

Residents can find more information about the different types of ASB, reporting ASB, accessing support and the ASB Case Review process at www.healthysurrey.org.uk/community-safety/asb.   All ASB policing matters should be reported directly to Surrey Police via 101, online or by calling 999 in an emergency.

Commissioner shines a light on the role of PCSOs and celebrates all officers, staff and volunteers this Neighbourhood Policing Week

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

“Neighbourhood policing is more than a job – it’s a vocation for police officers, staff and volunteers who work hard to keep communities safe and where no two days are ever the same”. That’s according to Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, who has paid tribute to Surrey Police’s Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) to mark the start of this year’s Neighbourhood Policing Week.

Each of Surrey’s boroughs and districts have a SNT that consist of officers and staff who work together to support residents and businesses, in response to retail crime, violence against women and girls, and anti-social behaviour.  Hotspot patrols are also a vital part of neighbourhood policing as they build community engagement and strengthen partnerships.

PCSOs

Police Community Support Officers – or PCSOs – provide an important, visible presence and serve as a key liaison between the public and policing within Surrey’s SNTs. Their fundamental role is to gather information, preserve community safety by reducing conflict, and foster positive relations within neighbourhoods through targeted visible patrols. PCSOs hold designated legal powers of enforcement, although they are not fully warranted police officers.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, recently joined PCSO Huw Keepence and trainee PCSO Isobelle Robinson on patrol in Woking town centre.

Lisa said: “PCSOs provide a valuable uniformed presence within our towns and villages.  Not only do they improve confidence in public safety by developing close working relationships with businesses, community-based organisations and residents, they help to tackle anti-social behaviour and support other ongoing police operations.

‘Strong partnership work’

“It was fantastic to join Huw and Isobelle on patrol and see first-hand the difference they are making. There’s some strong partnership work and engagement happening in Woking, and it was great to look more closely at the security operation around Victoria Place.”

Huw Keepence has been a PCSO in Woking for just over two years.  He said: “I enjoy getting out into the communities that I work in, patrolling the streets and public areas to provide a real visible policing presence and actively engaging in their communities.

“I like being able to speak to people and give them the comfort of knowing that their concerns are being taken seriously and that police are actively dealing with it. It’s fulfilling to be able to help people and quell some of their fears or uncertainties”.

Isobelle Robinson, trainee PCSO, has been with the Force for six months.  She said: “The most exciting part about my job as a PCSO is that every day is a new day. You could be dealing with victims of fraud one day and the next, you’re guarding a crime scene.

“I love my job because it means that I can help those that need it the most. It’s very cliché but it’s true. I thrive on helping people and animals.”

Lisa Townsend said: “Thank you to all the PCSOs and other staff and officers who contribute to Surrey Police’s neighbourhood policing teams. Your hard work, care and dedication provide a lifeline to the communities that you serve.”

PCSO recruitment

PCSOs numbers have increased right across Surrey by almost a quarter in the year ending September 2025.  However, Surrey police recruitment is currently open until 30th June for PCSOs.  Click here for further details: www.surrey.police.uk/police-forces/surrey-police/areas/careers/careers/pcso/

Commissioner praises fight against rogue traders in Surrey after joint operation

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has hailed the fight against rogue traders in Surrey after joining a special operation targeting criminals entering the county.

Stop checks were carried out on 34 trade vehicles during the day of action close to the M25 at Godstone.

Police teams were joined by partners from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards, the Environment Agency and Tandridge District Council.

Stolen goods

They helped determine whether there are any insurance, driver licence, operating licence or motor offences, checked for any stolen goods or metals on board vehicles and also for any signs of modern slavery or immigration offences.

Two vehicles were seized, six traffic offence reports made and eight fixed penalty notices were issued with fines totalling over £1,000. One vehicle was reported for having no tax while six prohibition notices were also issued.

Half of those vehicles checked were subject to enforcement or words of advice concerning being overweight, insecure loads and mobile phone usage. 

The operation was arranged by Surrey’s Serious Organised Crime Partnership, chaired by the PCC, which helps co-ordinate the approach to tackling the issue of rogue trading in Surrey.

‘Doorstep crime’

Residents in the UK lose over £400m a year to ‘doorstep crime’ where they are pressured into paying huge sums of money for work to their homes that is either not needed or is vastly overcharged. The true figure is likely to be much higher.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “Rogue traders who target vulnerable people in their own homes are the lowest of the low. It is one of the most cruel and despicable crimes police have to deal with.

“In the most extreme cases, victims have been known to lose their life savings and even their homes. Here in Surrey – our police teams and partner agencies are fighting back.

“Organised criminal gangs”

“Much of this type of offending is perpetrated by organised criminal gangs who we know are crossing county borders in search of victims.

“So it was fantastic to join the operation at Godstone and see first-hand the sort of action that is being taken to disrupt the organised criminality that lies behind it.

“It is a great example of how police and other agencies can come together to work in partnership to crackdown on criminals coming into Surrey and help protect some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.”

The image shows Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, a blonde woman who wears a white long-sleeved top and black trousers, standing close to a glass door which has the Surrey Police logo on it. Her hands are clasped and she is looking directly into the camera with a serious expression.

Commissioner condemns ‘shameful’ scenes following violence in Epsom last night

Posted on | by Nathan Rees

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey, Lisa Townsend, said those involved in the violent scenes in Epsom last night should expect to face the full force of the law.

The Commissioner condemned the actions of those involved in the disorder as “shameful” after missiles including missiles including cans, rocks and flares were thrown at police officers.

Local hotels and residential properties were also targeted following false claims that these were housing people seeking asylum.

Four arrests were made in total and officers will be studying footage of the violence to identify those responsible for any further criminal offences.

“Shameful”

The Commissioner said: “The mindless scenes we witnessed last night where our police officers were targeted with missiles were nothing short of shameful.

“I am a firm believer in people’s right to peaceful protest, but sadly, some of those present in Epsom yesterday stepped way beyond that line, and the type of behaviour we witnessed will not be tolerated.

“The reality is that a number of those in Epsom last night were not local and have come into the town from elsewhere clearly with their own agenda.

“My message to those intent on stirring up trouble under the guise of legitimate protest is stay away from Epsom.

Commissioner’s warning

“If you involve yourself in disorder, the police will take robust action and I expect you to face the full force of the law.”

The Commissioner said the last week has been extremely challenging for the local community in Epsom following the reported rape in the town on April 11.

Lisa said: “I have always been a strong advocate for the safety of women and girls in all our communities in Surrey and I am well aware of the concern and fear that is felt when these type of reports are made.

“Rape and sexual assault allegations are rightly treated with the utmost seriousness by Surrey Police. They are often complex and must be handled with a great degree of sensitivity and care.

Investigation

“I have been kept updated by senior officers and I know how painstaking and extensive the enquiries have been over the last week to establish the full facts of what happened in this case.

“I fully appreciate in circumstances like this that the local community are keen to have as much information as possible, particularly when the report made is of such a concerning nature.

“I have spoken to the Chief Constable to see whether further clarity can be given around the circumstances of this case. But the reality is, our police service is often in the unenviable position of trying to balance sharing information publicly with ensuring the integrity of an investigation.

“Surrey Police have said there is no evidence this case involves asylum seekers or immigrants.

“Misinformation”

“But clearly this does not suit the narrative some want to push and we are still seeing misinformation being spread online, which I believe helped fuel the scenes we witnessed last night.

“This unhelpful speculation has made a difficult situation even worse for our communities in Epsom.

“I would like to thank them for their continued patience and understanding while this investigation is carried out.”