SURREY’S Police and Crime Commissioner has been visiting communities around the county to discuss the policing issues that matter most to residents.
Lisa Townsend regularly speaks at meetings in Surrey’s towns and villages, and in the past fortnight has addressed packed halls in Thorpe, alongside Runneymede’s Borough Commander James Wyatt, Horley, where she was joined by Borough Commander Alex Maguire, and Lower Sunbury, which was also attended by Sergeant Matthew Rogers.
This week, she will speak at the Merstham Community Hub in Redhill on Wednesday, March 1 between 6pm and 7pm.
Her Deputy, Ellie Vesey-Thompson, will address Long Ditton residents at the Surbiton Hockey Club between 7pm and 8pm on the same day.
On March 7, both Lisa and Ellie will speak to residents in Cobham, and a further meeting is set to take place in Pooley Green, Egham on March 15.
Lisa said: “Speaking with Surrey residents about the issues that most concern them is one of the most important roles to be tasked to me when I was elected as Commissioner.
The Police and Crime Commissioner and her Deputy have been speaking to residents in south west Surrey this week about their concerns over anti-social behaviour and speeding.
During the first event, attendees spoke with Lisa and Sergeant Michael Knight about damage to 14 businesses and homes in the early hours of September 25 2022.
Those who attended the second event told of their worries about speeding drivers and shed break-ins.
Lisa said: “Anti-social behaviour blights communities around the country and can cause misery to victims.
“It’s important that we look at the harm caused by such offences, because every victim is different.
“My advice to anyone affected by anti-social behaviour is to report it to the police using 101 or our online tools. It may be that officers aren’t always able to attend, but every report enables local officers to build an intelligence-based picture of trouble spots and change their patrol tactics accordingly.
“As always, in the event of an emergency, call 999.
“Much is already done in Surrey to support victims of this offence. My office commissions both Mediation Surrey’s Anti-Social Behaviour Support Service and the Cuckooing Service, the latter of which specifically helps those who have their homes taken over by criminals.
“In addition, residents who have reported anti-social behaviour three times or more in a six-month period, and feel that little action has been taken, can activate a community trigger. The trigger draws in a number of agencies, including my office, to work together to find a more permanent solution to the problem.
“I strongly believe that tackling this issue isn’t solely a police responsibility.
“The NHS, mental health services, youth workers and local authorities all have a part to play, particularly where incidents don’t cross the line into criminality.
“I don’t underestimate how difficult this is for those affected. Everyone has a right to feel safe, whether they’re out and about or at their home.
“I want all relevant organisations to work together in order to deal with the root causes of anti-social behaviour, as I believe it’s the only way to truly tackle the problem.”
‘Blights communities’
Ellie told residents in Haslemere that she will write to Surrey County Council regarding the concerns of residents to understand any measures they are currently looking to implement.
She said: “I understand residents’ fears over dangerous driving on their roads, and the safety concerns around speeding, both within Haslemere itself and on A roads on the outskirts, such as that to Godalming.
“Making Surrey’s roads safer is a key priority in our Police and Crime Plan, and our office will do all we can, working with Surrey Police, to help make residents safer and ensure they feel safer too.”
SURREY’S Police and Crime Commissioner has warned that tackling anti-social behaviour isn’t solely a police responsibility as she joined a round table discussion at No10 this morning.
Lisa Townsend said the issue can have a “very high impact” on victims and blights communities around the country.
However, councils, mental health services and the NHS have just as important a role to play in ending the scourge of anti-social behaviour as police do, she said.
Lisa joined MP Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Will Tanner, Mr Sunak’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Arundel and South Downs MP Nick Herbert, and Victims’ Commissioner CEO Katie Kempen, among others from charities, police forces and the National Police Chiefs Council.
The panel discussed existing solutions, including visible policing and fixed penalty notices, as well as longer-term programmes such as the re-invigoration of Britain’s high streets. They will meet again in the future to continue their work.
Surrey Police supports victims through the Anti-Social Behaviour Support Service and the Cuckooing Service, the latter of which specifically helps those who have their homes taken over by criminals. Both services are commissioned by Lisa’s office.
Lisa said: “It is quite right that we push anti-social behaviour away from our public spaces, although my concern is that by dispersing it, we send it to residents’ front doors, giving them no safe refuge.
“I believe that in order to end anti-social behaviour, we have to tackle the underlying issues, such as trouble at home or a lack of investment in mental health treatment. This can and should be done by local authorities, schools and social workers, among others, rather than the police.
“I do not underestimate the impact this particular type of offending can have.
“While anti-social behaviour may appear to be a minor crime at first glance, the reality is very different, and it can have a very high impact on victims.
“That’s why we have to take this seriously and deal with the root causes.
“In addition, because every victim is different, it’s important to look at the harm caused by such offences, rather than the offence itself or the number committed.
“I’m pleased to say that in Surrey, we work closely with partners including local authorities to reduce the number of times victims are pushed between different organisations.
“The Community Harm Partnership is also running a series of webinars to increase awareness of anti-social behaviour and improve its response.
“But Forces around the country can and must do more, and I’d like to see joined-up thinking between different agencies to get to the bottom of this offence.”
A community project backed by Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner to improve safety for women and girls in Woking has won a prestigious national award.
The initiative, which was centred around a stretch of the Basingstoke Canal in the town, claimed the overall Tilley Award at a ceremony on Tuesday night as part of the National Problem-Solving Conference.
Commissioner Lisa Townsend’s office secured £175,000 from the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund to improve security measures along the 13-mile canal path following a number of reports of indecent exposure in the area since 2019.
The grant was spent on a series of significant changes in the area. Overgrown trees and bushes were cleared, while new CCTV cameras covering the towpath were installed.
Graffiti was removed after some respondents to Surrey Police’s Call It Out Survey 2021 said they felt unsafe because certain spots looked run-down.
Officers from Woking’s Neighbourhood Policing Team and volunteers from the local Canal Watch group, which was set up thanks to funding from the Commissioner’s office, were also given electric bikes to patrol the path more effectively.
In addition, the Force teamed up with Woking Football Club to promote Do The Right Thing, a campaign which challenges bystanders to call out misogynistic and harmful behaviour against women and girls.
The project was one of five across the country to secure a Tilley Award in September, claiming victory in the ‘Business Support and Volunteers’ category.
The other category winners included a second Surrey scheme funded by the Commissioner’s office to tackle catalytic converter thefts in the county. Operation Blink, which was supported by a £13,500 grant from the office’s Community Safety Fund, resulted in 13 arrests being made and reports of catalytic converter thefts dropping by 71 per cent across Surrey.
The winners of all five categories presented their projects to a panel of judges this week and the Woking project was chosen as the overall winner. It will now be put forward for an international award.
Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “I’m absolutely delighted that all the hard work put in by both our amazing local policing team and everyone involved in this project has been recognised with this fantastic award.
“It makes me incredibly proud to see the funding my office was able to secure make a real difference to the local community and ensure it is a much safer place, particularly for women and girls.
“I first visited the area and met the local team during my first week as Commissioner, and I know the huge effort that has gone in to tackling these issues along the canal so I’m thrilled to see that paying dividends.
“One of the key priorities in my Police and Crime Plan is to work with Surrey communities so they feel safe. I am absolutely dedicated not only to hearing residents’ concerns, but acting on them.”
Deputy Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson, who attended the ceremony on Tuesday night, said: “It was fantastic to see the team take home the award for such a vital project.
“Schemes like this can make a huge difference to how safe people in our communities feel here in Surrey. It’s a huge achievement for the Force, and a reflection of the hard work and dedication of all of those involved.”
Temporary Assistant Chief Constable for Local Policing Alison Barlow said: “Winning this year’s overall Tilley Award for our project to make the Basingstoke Canal in Woking a safer place for all who use it – especially for women and girls – is a huge achievement.
“This is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of everyone involved, and shows the true power of local policing teams working in partnership with the community. We are also grateful for the support of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner in this winning project.
“We are proud to be a problem solving force with a determination to continue to build on what we have already achieved to make sure our communities are safe and feel safer. We are firm in the commitments we made to the Surrey public to spot problems early, act promptly, and avoid quick fixes that don’t last.”
The Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has marked Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week by signing a commitment to continue working closely with partners to tackle issues in Surrey’s communities.
The Commissioner joined senior colleagues from Surrey Police, Surrey Fire and Rescue, Surrey Crimestoppers and Surrey County Council in agreeing to the National Anti-Social Behaviour Principles at an event this week.
The principles set out how partners commit to working together to tackle the causes of ASB, encourage victims to come forward and be taken seriously and to take appropriate action to solve problems in our local communities.
The Commissioner has also been out and about talking to councillors and residents in Woodhatch and Caterham to discuss ASB issues in those areas.
The PCC’s office has a key role to play in the Community Trigger process in the county which is powerful tool to help with persistent ASB problems.
It also funds a number of projects including a mediation service which includes a victim coaching service and a number of activities for young people in the county to divert them from criminality.
The Joint Enforcement Teams, or JETs, that were set up in a various parts of the county thanks to PCC funding also have an important role to play in tackling ASB across Surrey.
Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “”There is already a really strong partnership approach in the county so I was delighted to sign up to the Principles this week to cement that commitment to working together to tackle ASB.
“This type of criminality is often regarding by some as low level but we know that in truth it can destroy someone’s quality of life and escalate into something far more serious.
“I know from speaking to residents across the county how highly they value the role our local policing teams play in tackling ASB issues in our communities.
“So, I was really pleased to see Surrey Police maintain its ‘outstanding’ rating in preventing anti-social behaviour following our recent inspection by HMICFRS – an area that features prominently in my Police and Crime Plan for the county.
“This grading was primarily down to the problem-solving approach the Force has worked hard to adopt in recent years in tackling the causes of ASB. This is continuing to pay dividends and is really good news for residents.
“So this week, I am supporting ASB Awareness Week and making sure this remains one of my key priorities during my term of office as Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey.”
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend has issued the following statement in response to the death of Sir David Amess MP on Friday:
“Like everyone I was appalled and horrified by the senseless murder of Sir David Amess MP and I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues and all those affected by the awful events of Friday afternoon.
“Our MPs and elected representatives have a crucial role to play in listening to and serving their constituents in our local communities and should be able to carry out that duty without fear of intimidation or violence. Politics by its very nature can illicit strong emotions but there can be absolutely no justification for the sickening assault that took place in Essex.
“I am sure the terrible events of Friday afternoon will have been felt across all of our communities and understandably concerns have been raised about the security of MPs across the country.
“Surrey Police have been in contact with all of the county’s MPs and have been co-ordinating with our partners both nationally and locally to ensure appropriate security advice is given to our elected representatives.
“Communities defeat terror and whatever our political beliefs, we must all stand together in the face of such an attack on our democracy.”
Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey David Munro condemned the violence that led to the tragic death of Sarah Everard in London, saying it is important to continue to listen to the voices of women who feel unsafe.
He expressed his concern for all women who have experienced violence or unwanted attention in the past, saying meaningful action was needed to address all forms of male violence against women.
Welcoming news that Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary will work with police forces to identify how to better protect women and girls, he said he was supporting Surrey Police to tackle all forms of this violence that includes stalking and domestic abuse.
A call to review the response to violence against women and girls will also be held between Police Chiefs across the country today.
The PCC said: “Sarah’s death has resonated with everyone in our community, including women and girls that have been a victim of crime and others who have expressed their feelings of anger and fear. I’ve spoken with the Chief Constable and can say that Surrey Police is committed to ensure that every woman and girl can feel safe in our communities. This includes listening closely to the concerns of residents.
“I want to reassure every woman or girl who has experienced unwanted attention or violence, or are fearful for their safety, that Surrey Police is there for you. Please report it and it will be taken with the utmost seriousness.”
A statement from Surrey Police said that women should not have to live in fear or change their behaviour to keep themselves safe, but that gatherings remained unlawful.
The PCC is continuing to work with partners including Surrey Police to prevent violence against women and girls that includes all forms of sexual violence, abuse, harassment or stalking. Support from the PCC’s Office includes for training sexual violence specialists and for victim support organisations to continue services during the pandemic.
Funding from the PCC has also paid for more Independent Sexual Violence and Domestic Abuse Advisors in Surrey. He said the services provided by these specialists were highly valued to support women who may be living in fear of violence in Surrey.
The Office of the PCC has placed more funding towards these areas in the last 12 months than ever before, including supporting a new service to help those affected by stalking in Surrey.
The Police and Crime Commissioner David Munro has said news that a potential transit site has been identified to direct travellers to in Surrey is a ‘step in the right direction’ for the county’s residents.
An area of Surrey County Council managed land in Tandridge has been earmarked as the first site in the county that could provide a temporary stopping place which could be used by the travelling community.
The PCC has long been pressing for such a site with proper facilities which have proved successful in other areas of the country. Following continued collaboration involving all borough and district councils and the county council, a location has now been identified although no planning application has been submitted. The PCC has committed £100,000 from his office to help set the transit site up.
The Commissioner said he is also eagerly awaiting the results of a government consultation after reports that the Home Office are planning to change the law to make setting up unauthorised encampments a criminal offence.
The PCC responded to the consultation last year saying he supported the criminalising the act of trespass in relation to encampments which would give police tougher and more effective powers to deal with them when they appear.
PCC David Munro said: “During my term of office I have long been saying that there is an urgent need for transit sites for travellers in Surrey so I am pleased there is hopefully some good news on the horizon with a potential location identified in the Tandridge area.
“A lot of work has been going on behind the scenes involving all local agencies to address the need for transit sites. There is obviously still a long way to go and any site will have to go through the relevant planning processes but it is a step in the right direction for Surrey residents.
“We are approaching the time of year when the county begins to see an increase in unauthorised encampments and we have already seen a few in Surrey over recent weeks.
“The majority of travellers are law-abiding but I’m afraid there are a minority that cause disruption and concern to local communities and increase the strain on police and local authority resources.
“I have visited a number of communities where unauthorised encampments have been set up over the last four years and I have great sympathy with the plight of the residents whom I’ve met whose lives have been adversely affected.”
The legislation around unauthorised encampments is complex and there are requirements that must be met in order for local authorities and police to take action to move them on.
The act of trespass in relation to encampments currently remains a civil matter. When an unauthorised encampment is set up in Surrey, the occupiers are often served with orders by the police or local authority and then move on to another location nearby where the process begins again.
The PCC added: “There have been reports that the government will be seeking a change in law to make trespass in relation to unauthorised encampments a criminal offence. I would fully support this and submitted in my response to the government consultation that the legislation should be as simple and comprehensive as possible.
“I believe this change in law, coupled with the introduction of transit sites, is urgently needed to break the cycle of repeated unauthorised traveller encampments that continue to affect our local communities.”
