Category: Working with communities to feel safe

Just days left to have your say on policing priorities in Surrey for the next three years

Posted on | by Alex Winter

It’s the last chance to have your say on what you think the policing priorities in your community should be.

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend is urging residents to fill in a brief survey that will help shape policing in the county for the next three years.

The poll, which allows respondents to pick the issues they’d like to see Surrey Police focus on, closes this Thursday, December 12.

It is anonymous, takes just a few minutes to complete, and can be filled in here:

Surrey Police and Crime Plan 2025-2028

Just days remain to have your say

The answers will help the Commissioner draw up her Police and Crime Plan, which provides the blueprint for policing in Surrey until 2028.

It will be published in early 2025 and will cover her current term of office.

Lisa was re-elected for a second term of office in May this year and has pledged to ensure Surrey Police implement a ‘back-to-basics’ approach to policing in the county.

She said: “Time is running out for Surrey’s residents to put their voices at the heart of policing.

‘Get offenders off our streets’

“My survey will close on Thursday, and I’d urge anyone who hasn’t yet had their say to fill it in.

“I want Surrey Police to focus on tackling those crimes that blight our local communities and to target persistent offenders and take them off our streets.

“But it’s really important that I hear from as many people as possible about what is happening where you live and what you want to see your police teams focus on in the future.

“The Force is making great strides, with an additional 3,500 charges across all crime types in the past 12 months. We must sustain that fantastic progress, but there are challenges ahead and tough choices will have to be made on where we focus resources.

“That’s why I want to concentrate on what Surrey residents say is most important to them.”

Join local events

For more information on the Police and Crime Plan, visit Surrey-PCC.gov.uk/police-and-crime-plan/consultation-2024

The Commissioner and Chief Constable Tim De Meyer are currently touring the county for the Policing Your Community roadshow.

The final in-person event takes place this Wednesday, December 11 at Haslemere Museum in Waverley borough. An online event for those who were unable to join their nearest meeting will then be hosted on January 13 next year.

For more information, or to sign up, visit Surrey.Police.uk/police-forces/surrey-police/areas/au/about-us/in-the-community/

Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend stands in front of a room of people who sit facing her. She is smiling. Beside her is a large television which has the words 'any questions?' on the screen. To her left are two police officers in uniform. The picture was taken at the Policing Your Community event in Elmbridge.

Lisa Townsend speaks to an audience at the Policing Your Community event in Elmbridge this autumn

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend standing outside Sainsbury's in Redhill town centre

Reports of shoplifting in Surrey are increasing – and this is why I’m glad, Commissioner says

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner says she is “glad” reports of shoplifting are increasing in the county.

Lisa Townsend acknowledged that her response might seem “strange” to residents.

But rising reports are likely to reflect a more accurate picture of offending in Surrey – meaning police are better-equipped to respond.

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics last month, which take into account crime to the year ending June 2024, show that reports of shoplifting rose by 53 per cent in just 12 months.

This is the highest number of reported offences in this category since 2015.

However, provisional figures suggest that the Force is now arresting significantly more shoplifters.

Shoplifting rates rise in Surrey…

In the past 12 months, 837 more arrests for shoplifting were made than the previous year.

Shoplifting offences are increasing across the country. Nationally, reports rose by 29 per cent, and are now at the highest levels since recording began.

Surrey has previously recorded some of the lowest rates of shoplifting in England and Wales.

Lisa said: “We know that Surrey has often been hailed for the low number of shoplifting incidents reported.

“But I’m glad that this isn’t the case anymore.

“That may sound very strange to the public.

“However, the likely truth of those low numbers is that victims simply weren’t reporting these crimes to Surrey Police.

…But so do arrests

“I have spoken with a huge number of retailers through my work. Just last year, at the Policing Your Community event in Woking, I was told that a branch of the Co-op was seeing up to 20 thefts a day.

“The Force has openly encouraged victims of all offences to make sure they are reporting crimes. I hope that the increase in shoplifting rates is, at least in part, a reflection of that.”

The Commissioner said it is not always possible for victims to feel there has been a satisfactory conclusion to a report.

However, arrests are increasing.

“In the past year, we have seen 837 more arrests for shoplifting,” she said.

Myth-busting

“Across the board, the Force’s arrest rate has risen significantly. When it comes to shoplifting in particular, the arrest rate was 8.1 per cent – it is now 18.4 per cent.

“We still have a long road to travel, but we are certainly heading in the right direction.”

Lisa also said there is a “pervasive myth” that police will only attend if items worth more than £200 are stolen.

“Put as clearly as possible, this isn’t true,” she said.

“During a recent plain-clothed operation at Sainsbury’s in Redhill, I watched as a shoplifter was arrested for stealing items worth just £7.50.”

Force’s success stories

The issue has been repeatedly raised during the Policing Your Community events, which are currently taking place across the county.

Members of the public have heard some of the Force’s success stories.

At the event in Tandridge during late October, Borough Commander Lyndsey Whatley said three suspected members of an all-female organised crime group (OCG) have recently been charged.

In Spelthorne, Borough Commander Matt Walton revealed his team’s shoplifting detection rate is up by 50 per cent.

And in Guildford, three shoplifters connected to organised criminality have recently been jailed for stealing almost £200,000-worth of goods from supermarkets.

‘Report it’ plea

The thieves are believed to be responsible for more than 100 crimes targeting large supermarkets.

Surrey Police’s investigators worked in partnership with Tesco, wading through hours of CCTV footage, to secure the convictions.

Lisa said: “The Chief Constable, Tim De Meyer, takes shoplifting incredibly seriously.

“When I speak to officers, they take it incredibly seriously.

“Shoplifting is not a victimless crime, and we urge retailers to continue reporting offences as and when they occur.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa standing by supermarket trolleys

Lisa Townsend has urged victims of shoplifting to keep reporting offences

Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, stands in a line alongside a group of officers in uniform holding awards. To her left, in dress uniform, is Spelthorne Borough Commander Matt Walton

Officers honoured after pioneering work led to the UK’s biggest-ever closure order at Ashford block

Posted on | by Alex Winter

A police team responsible for shutting down 16 flats in a single housing block have been honoured with an award.

Spelthorne’s Safer Neighbourhood Team applied for the country’s biggest-ever closure order last year after the property, an assisted living facility in Ashford, became a hotspot for anti-social behaviour and drug-dealing.

Closure orders, which are granted by magistrates’ courts, are issued for specific addresses linked to persistent crime. The order means the address can be closed to either an individual or a group of people for a specified period of time. Those who disobey the order can be arrested.

At a ceremony held at Surrey Police’s Mount Browne headquarters in Guildford on Wednesday, the officers – and in particular, anti-social behaviour specialist Dan Burrell – were recognised for their achievement.

Pioneering work

Their pioneering work to close a Stanwell brothel was also highlighted at the event, held during national Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week.

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, celebrated with the team after giving a speech to open the awards.

She said: “Spelthorne’s Safer Neighbourhood Team have been doing some amazing work to tackle anti-social behaviour.

“As well as the closure of the 16 properties in a single block, they are the first neighbourhood team in the country to shut down a brothel using sexual offences legislation. Victims who were being exploited were safeguarded immediately, and those living nearby were protected from further misery and harm

“This team is redefining our understanding of how closure orders can be used to drive out anti-social behaviour from communities around Spelthorne.

“I’m absolutely delighted to celebrate their fantastic achievement.”

“Amazing”

Spelthorne Borough Commander Matt Walton said: “I’m really proud of my team, who work so hard to make sure anti-social behaviour isn’t blighting the lives of residents in the borough.

“We’re also very lucky to have some fantastic partners who make our work possible.

“I’d like to thank Holly Abberley of A2 Dominion Housing, and Will Jack and Alex Lacey from Spelthorne Borough Council’s Community Safety Team, all of whom were also recognised with awards tonight.

“Without our partners, we wouldn’t have been able to get half of the results we’ve achieved for the community over the past few years.”

Two of the services funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner – Catalyst Support’s Cuckooing Service and Mediation Surrey – were also among the winners.

Lisa Townsend stands beside members of Catalyst Support's Cuckooing Service, who received awards at a Surrey Police ceremony to highlight efforts made to tackle anti-social behaviour.

The team from Catalyst Support’s gold standard Cuckooing Service

Lisa Townsend stands beside members of Catalyst Support's Cuckooing Service, who received awards at a Surrey Police ceremony to highlight efforts made to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Lisa Townsend pictured with the Mediaton Surrey team

Police and Crime Commissioner walking through graffiti covered tunnel with two male police officers from the local team in Spelthorne

We want to hear from you! Still time to have your say on policing priorities for Surrey

Posted on | by Nathan Rees

What crimes do you think police should be tackling where you live? Now is the chance to have your say!

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend is urging Surrey residents to fill in a brief survey that will help shape policing in the county for the next three years.

You can select what issues you want to see Surrey Police focus on as part of the consultation for her new Police and Crime Plan which is currently underway.

Your answers will help the Commissioner draw up her Plan, which will launch early next year and provide the blueprint for policing in the county until 2028.

Have your say

But you will need to be quick – the survey, which launched in October, will close on December 12 2024. It is anonymous, only takes a few minutes to complete, and can be filled in here:

Surrey Police and Crime Plan 2025-28 Public Consultation

The Police and Crime Plan provides the basis for how the Commissioner holds the Chief Constable to account and sets the priorities for policing for the county.

It will be published in early 2025 and will cover her current term of office, which runs until 2028.

Lisa was re-elected for a second term of office in May this year and has pledged to ensure Surrey Police implement a ‘back-to-basics’ approach to policing in the county.

‘Back to basics’

She said: “My mission is clear – I want Surrey Police to focus on tackling those crimes that blight our local communities and to target persistent offenders and take them off our streets.

“Over the autumn months, our Policing Your Community roadshow has been visiting every borough in the county where hundreds of residents have been giving us their views on policing where they live.

“I know there are issues that consistently cause concern such as anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, drug crime, the safety of women and girls and visible policing in our communities.

“But I want to hear from more of you about what is happening where you live and what you want to see your police teams focus on in the future.

“We have a good response so far to the survey and I want to thank all those who have already filled it in.

“But it is really important to me to hear from as many people as possible so if you haven’t done so already – please do take a few minutes to let me know what you think.

More are being charged

“Surrey Police is making great strides in tackling crime across the county with another 3,500 more charges over the last year, which is great news for our residents.

“I want to sustain that progress, but there are financial challenges ahead and some tough choices will have to be made on where we focus our resources.

“That is why I want to concentrate on what the Surrey public tell me is important to them and create a Police and Crime Plan that helps delivers a policing service they can be proud of.”

Share your priorities

For more information, visit our dedicated webpage, Surrey-PCC.gov.uk/police-and-crime-plan/consultation-2024

Our last three Policing Your Community events are taking place in Runnymede, Surrey Heath and Waverley in the next few weeks.

To sign up to an event, visit Surrey.Police.uk/police-forces/surrey-police/areas/au/about-us/in-the-community/

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend on a hotspot patrol with Surrey Police officers

Affected by anti-social behaviour? Here’s how to access support

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner has shared more information on how victims of support can access anti-social behaviour.

Lisa Townsend, who is currently asking members of the public to have their say on priorities for policing over the next three years, has shared Surrey-based resources during national Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week.

The week, which takes place between November 18 and 22, aims to raise awareness of the impact anti-social behaviour can have.

What is anti-social behaviour?

More than two thirds of people in a recent survey told us they had either been a victim of or witness to antisocial behaviour. But what exactly is it?

ASB covers a wide range of issues including:

  • Antisocial driving/speeding
  • Nuisance noise
  • Drug use or drug dealing
  • Dog fouling
  • Fly tipping
  • Graffiti
  • Littering

There are also some things that, while annoying, do not count as anti-social behaviour, which might include:

  • DIY or off-road car repairs (unless late at night or early in the morning)
  • Everyday living noises such as loud conversations, doors opening and closing, and lawnmowers in use
  • One-off occasional events such as birthday parties, barbecues, or other celebrations
  • Lawful use of fireworks
  • Property boundary disputes

Police and Crime Plan

Lisa has urged members of the public to fill out a survey that will inform the creation of her next Police and Crime Plan, a blueprint for Surrey Police’s priorities between 2025 and 2028.

The Commissioner says anti-social behaviour is one of the key issues raised by residents around the county.

She said: “It is my job to ensure your views on policing in Surrey are heard and that is why I now ask for your help in creating my new Police and Crime Plan. 

“I want to make sure the public’s priorities for policing are my priorities too. This is why I want as many people as possible to fill out the survey and let me know your views.”

It only takes a few minutes to complete and can be filled in here:

Surrey Police and Crime Plan 2025-28 public consultation

The survey will remain open until December 12 2024.

Policing Your Community

The Commissioner is also learning more about anti-social behaviour in different Surrey towns and villages through her Policing Your Community roadshow, held in partnership with Surrey Police.

Anti-social behaviour covers a wide spectrum of incidents, which may include neighbourhood disputes, noise, rowdy behaviour, and poor driving.

It can also be linked to criminal offences, including speeding, violence, vandalism, and drug dealing.

Lisa said: “There is often a perception among those who attend my Policing Your Community events that anti-social behaviour isn’t worth reporting.

“But the reality is, it can have a severe and harmful impact on victims.

“For some, there will be no escape, even in their own homes.

“During recent meetings, I’ve heard much about how officers deal with anti-social behaviour.

“In Mole Valley, police are targeting repeat offenders and carrying out regular operations to tackle anti-social driving and e-scooter and e-bike riding.

“In Woking, three properties connected to crime have been closed down in three months.

“In Spelthorne, more than 20 e-bikes have been seized in Stanwell and Ashford after they were connected to criminality.

“Policing teams across the county are committed to dealing with anti-social behaviour. But we know there is always more work to do to ensure residents feel safe.”

Support available

A range of measures are available for those affected by anti-social behaviour.

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

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

Working with partners, the Commissioner’s office has also secured Home Office Safer Streets funding, which is currently being used in Redhill, Guildford and Walton-on-Thames to tackle anti-social behaviour.

In addition, Lisa secured a £1million government grant for hotspot policing, which uses police intelligence to flood Surrey’s worst-affected areas with officers.

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

ASB Help explains more about the different types of anti-social behaviour. It also has an interactive guide to help you report ASB to the right agency in the right way.  

You can also report anti-social behaviour directly to Surrey Police via surrey.police.uk/ro/report/asb/asb-v3/report-antisocial-behaviour/

In an emergency, always call 999.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend

Car park flagged as concern by residents wins award after funding is secured by Commissioner

Posted on | by Alex Winter

A car park highlighted by Surrey residents as an area of concern has received a national award following extensive renovations.

Drewitts Court car park in Walton-on-Thames benefited from a tranche of Home Office Safer Streets Funding, secured by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and partners including Elmbridge Borough Council.

An extensive programme of renovations was carried out with the grant, and the site has now secured a Safer Parking Award.

The award is a national standard for UK car parks that have implemented measures to ensure the safety of both vehicles and their owners.

Safer Streets success

Managed by the British Parking Association (BPA) on behalf of Police Crime Prevention Initiatives Ltd, the scheme aims to reduce crime and the fear of crime in parking facilities.

To receive the award, car parks must undergo a rigorous risk assessment conducted by the police. This assessment ensures that the car park has appropriate measures in place, such as effective surveillance, good lighting, and a clean environment, all of which are known to deter criminal activity and anti-social behaviour.

The award signifies that a car park is a safer environment for users, providing peace of mind for those parking their vehicles there.

Car park improvements

The enhancements include:

  • Upgraded lighting for better visibility
  • New directional arrows to improve traffic flow
  • Reviewed and improved speed humps
  • A refurbished stairwell with a fresh coat of paint, new mirrors, and the application of urine repellent and anti-graffiti paints
  • Temporary deployment of CCTV to enhance security

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, said: “It’s been wonderful to see how the team in Elmbridge have used Safer Streets funding to invest in the safety and health of communities in the borough.

“Residents had told police and councillors of their concerns around the Drewitts Court car park, and the improvements made demonstrate the real impact that properly directed funding can have. 

“I’m delighted that the efforts of the team have been recognised with a Safer Parking Award.”

Councillor Kirsty Hewens, Portfolio Holder for Enterprise, Parking and Local Economy, said: “Keeping residents safe and enhancing the feeling of safety is a key priority for the Elmbridge Community and Safety Partnership.

“We want people to feel safe visiting our high street car parks at all times of day.”

Funding boost

Walton was one of three Surrey towns to be allocated a combined total of almost £1million last year as part of the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund. Redhill and Guildford also benefited from the grant.

In Walton, the funding is being used to tackle anti-social behaviour in public spaces after drugs, vandalism and littering were identified as particular concerns for residents.

Additional CCTV has been installed in the town, and a targeted youth outreach programme is under way.

The fund has also paid for improvements to the community garden at St Johns Drive in Walton, which now features new flowerbeds, vegetable patches and a bug hotel to encourage wildlife and support biodiversity in the area.

Have your say on the policing priorities for Surrey for the next three years

Posted on | by Nathan Rees

What would you like to see Surrey Police focus on in your local community over the next three years?

That is the question Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend is asking the county’s residents as she launches a public consultation today which will help shape her new Police and Crime Plan.

Those who live and work in Surrey are being invited to have their say on what they think the policing priorities should be by filling in a brief survey.

It only takes a few minutes to complete and can be filled in here:

Surrey Police and Crime Plan 2025-28 public consultation

The survey will remain open until December 12 2024.

Have your say

The answers will help the Commissioner complete her Plan, which will be a blueprint for policing in Surrey for the next three years and provides the basis for how she holds the Chief Constable to account.

It will be published in early 2025 and will cover her current term of office, which runs until 2028.

The development of the Plan is already underway, with the Commissioner’s office holding a series of in-depth consultation events over the last two months.

This has included speaking to a number of key groups in Surrey such as victim and survivor groups, young people, professionals in crime reduction and safety, rural crime groups and representatives from Surrey’s business community.

The Commissioner now wants to seek the views of the wider Surrey public on what they want to see in the Plan.

Policing priorities

Lisa was re-elected for a second term of office in May this year. She was first elected in 2021 when she set her original Police and Crime Plan.

She said: “The single most important part of my role as Police and Crime Commissioner for this county is to represent you, the residents of Surrey.

“It is my job to ensure your views on policing in Surrey are heard and that is why I now ask for your help in creating my new Police and Crime Plan. 

“I want to make sure the public’s priorities for policing are my priorities too. This is why I want as many people as possible to fill out the survey and let me know your views.

“Over the last four years, I have spoken with thousands of residents across our county and I know there are issues that consistently cause concern such as road safety, anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, drug crime, the safety of women and girls and visible policing in our communities.

‘The public’s priorities are my priorities’

“When I was re-elected in May, I pledged to focus on a ‘back-to-basics’ approach to policing in Surrey which focuses on tackling those crimes that blight our communities and targeting persistent offenders. 

“This is a commitment I share with our Chief Constable Tim De Meyer, and I believe this approach is already starting to pay dividends.

“However, the road ahead is not easy and there are challenges that Surrey Police must face in the coming years.

“There are significant financial savings that must be made, an ever-increasing demand on our policing teams and retaining our officers and staff in a tough job market.

Back to basics

“It is crucial that our resources are targeted where they are most needed, and Surrey Police finds the right balance between visible community policing and the need to combat that hidden criminality happening behind closed doors.

“I want my Police and Crime Plan to reflect a wide a range of views from people in every borough in Surrey on those issues that are important to them where they live.

“With that in mind, I ask you all to fill out my survey and let me know what you want to see in my plan. The consultation only takes just a few minutes so please do fill it in and let me know what you think.”

Lisa will be promoting the survey at the Policing Your Community roadshow, which is taking place around the county this autumn and winter. Sign up for your local event here.

Poll of 1,500 young people reveals the crime and policing issues that matter most to Surrey’s youth

Posted on | by Alex Winter

Surrey’s young people have spoken on the crime and policing priorities that impact them most as part of a forum funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey.

Safety at night-time, healthy relationships, sexual exploitation, trust in the police and anti-social behaviour are among the key issues for young people living in the county, a poll of around 1,500 people has revealed.

The results were revealed by members of the Surrey Youth Commission at a wide-ranging forum held in Woking in September.

Attendees at the Big Conversation Conference included officers from both Surrey Police and British Transport Police, Surrey’s Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson, and representatives from a range of key agencies including local authorities and charities.

Both Ellie and Lisa Townsend, Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, chose to fund the Youth Commission in order to help put youth voice at the heart of policing in the county.

Applications to join the third year of the Youth Commission, which is organised and administered by Leaders Unlocked, are now being accepted.

For more information, visit surrey-pcc.gov.uk/funding/surrey-youth-commission

The closing date for applications is November 22.

Ellie, who opened and closed the Big Conversation Conference, said: “Our brilliant Youth Commission members have provided us all an invaluable snapshot into the thoughts and feelings of young people in Surrey.

“Their priorities help us to better understand issues that matter most to them and their peers, from age groups who I know often feel as if their opinions go unheard.

“I want to thank every single Youth Commissioner, as well as everyone who shared their thoughts and priorities.

“They should be incredibly proud of the work they have achieved with their carefully-considered recommendations for policing, for our office, and for all of us working to support children and young people. I am certainly proud of them.

Young people share their priorities for police

“We will soon open applications once again, and I encourage young people who want to help shape the future of policing in Surrey to get in touch.” 

Kaytea Budd-Brophy, Senior Manager at Leaders Unlocked, said: “I am hugely proud of the Surrey Youth Commission members, who have been an amazing group of young people to work with.

“The members have worked tirelessly at the peer-to-peer engagement, reaching out to larger number of young people through the Big Conversation to explore the root causes and tangible solutions to the issues that young people in Surrey tell us they face.“

“We are absolutely delighted and excited to be starting to working with the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Ellie Vesey-Thompson, for a third year.”

A report on the latest recommendations from the Youth Commission will be available during the winter.

Members of the Surrey Youth Commission are pictured with Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson, in red

“It’s the job where no two hours are the same – and it’s a role like no other for those who love Surrey”

Posted on | by Alex Winter

SURREY’S Police and Crime Commissioner has celebrated a job where “no two hours are the same” – and urged others to apply for the role.

Lisa Townsend visited Godalming during the summer to join Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Nick Boxall on patrol in the town.

PCSOs are among the most visible roles in Surrey Police, and the intelligence they gather allows the Force to build a picture of where the county’s crime hotspots lie.

Their work also helps to identify and protect Surrey’s most vulnerable residents.

The Force launched a recruitment drive for additional PCSOs earlier this year, and has now filled all roles for the September cohort.

It comes after Operation Uplift, the previous government’s drive to recruit an additional 20,000 officers across the UK, resulted in more than 50 Surrey PCSOs leaving their roles to become PCs.

The additional officers hired in Surrey have made the Force the biggest it has been in a generation.

Lisa said: “Being a PCSO is a diverse, lively and often challenging role where no two hours are the same.

“You might find our community support officers guarding a cordon after a major incident, finding a way to calm down an angry member of the public who is threatening harm, or supporting a vulnerable resident who is struggling with their mental health – sometimes all within a single shift.

“They provide a bridge between members of the public and the police who serve them, and the connections they build with residents help to safeguard the county from crime and protect the most vulnerable.

“PCSOs are so important to our residents”

“Over the course of my tenure as your Commissioner, I have spoken with thousands of Surrey residents, and I know how important PCSOs are to our communities.

“It is wonderful news that so many of our PCSOs became police officers during Operation Uplift – it’s a fantastic achievement, both for the Force and for the officers themselves.

“The changes did leave Surrey Police with vacancies to fill however, and I know that has been a real challenge for the Force who have been working hard to get our PCSO numbers back up to full strength.

“So I’m delighted that the latest PCSO course was full and those new recruits will be working in our communities across Surrey from September.

“But we still need more in our ranks so I’d encourage anyone with an interest to have a look on our recruitment pages – this is a job like no other for those who love Surrey.”

For more information, or to apply, visit surrey.police.uk/police-forces/surrey-police/areas/careers/careers/pcso/

Lisa joined PCSO Nick Boxall on a foot patrol in Godalming

Commissioner Lisa Townsend standing in a pink top and smart trousers outside in front of a white sign that says Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey

Walton blooms as Safer Streets grant funds improvements to community garden, CCTV and car park

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

Walton-on-Thames is in bloom this summer – thanks to funding secured by Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner and key partners to make Surrey’s streets feel safer for all.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend has officially reopened the Walton Community Garden in the St John Estate after the town benefited from the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund.

Walton, Redhill and Guildford last year secured just under £1million in total through the fund, which was secured by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Elmbridge Borough Council and other key partners.

In Walton town centre and Walton North, the funding is being used to tackle anti-social behaviour in public spaces after drugs, vandalism and littering were identified as particular concerns for residents. Additional CCTV has been installed in the town, and a targeted youth outreach programme is under way.

In bloom

The fund has also paid for improvements to the community garden, which now features new flowerbeds, vegetable patches and a bug hotel to encourage wildlife and support biodiversity in the area.

Lisa said: “It was a real joy to join the celebrations at the community garden.

“The work that has been carried out in Walton-on-Thames so far is a fantastic example of the difference properly-directed funding can make to our communities.”

Councillor Kirsty Hewens, portfolio holder for enterprise, parking and local economy on Elmbridge Borough Council, said: “It has been wonderful to be part of the re-opening celebration today and to meet residents that will enjoy this garden.

“A real joy”

“It is important for the local community to have a safe and peaceful space to meet, and this garden will provide that space.” 

The Commissioner took part in a series of activities on the day, including pebble painting and bracelet making.

St John residents also played tennis and enjoyed complimentary pizza from The Dough Shack. 

Representatives from Crimestoppers, Citizens’ Advice, Surrey Police and Surrey Fire and Rescue also attended, with firefighters giving tours of their fire engine to visitors of all ages.

The community garden will remain open for all residents to pot, water, and grow plants, enabling new skills and providing a safe, secluded space to meet.