Police are turning the tables on criminals in Ashford, Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner has said after attending a residents’ meeting in the town last weekend.
Lisa Townsend joined Spelthorne’s Safer Neighbourhood Team, led by Sergeant Théa Jackson-Sedgwick, on Saturday to speak to the Ashford Residents’ Association.
Lisa and the team were questioned about local crime issues and the national policing picture.
Shoplifting, visible policing, the Government’s potential force merger plans and police budgets were among the topics discussed in front of a packed meeting.
Police’s successes in Ashford
The Commissioner said work by local police teams was having a positive impact in the town.
- Reported crime in Ashford has decreased by 9 per cent
- The detection rate for shoplifting has doubled
- Vehicle crime had been reduced by 34 per cent
- 10 warrants have been carried out to disrupt drug supply in the local area
- Two new PCSOs are now on patrol in the town
- 137 extra foot patrols have been carried out in the ‘hotspot’ area of Church Road
- Residents recently enjoyed the safest Halloween on record
Church Road is one of four ‘hotspots’ in the borough, alongside the Elmsleigh Centre and Two Rivers in Staines, and Sunbury Cross. Hotspots have comparatively higher levels of crime than surrounding areas.
“Tide is being turned”
Lisa said: “It was a real pleasure to drop in on the meeting on Saturday to talk to residents and hear about some of the brilliant work the local team have been doing in Ashford.
“There is always more to do, but some of the recent results are making a huge difference to the local community.
“The tide is being turned on criminality and anti-social behaviour in the town.
“We will soon share more good news about some targeted police activity that will be taking place in the area, and I look forward to being able to say more in the coming weeks.”
Residents packed the hall for the meeting in Ashford