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