“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/