Whilst not a separate priority in my Police and Crime Plan, rural crime is nevertheless a key area of focus for my team. My Deputy Commissioner has taken a lead on rural crime issues, and I am pleased that we now have dedicated rural crime teams in place.
Key areas of progress during 2022/23 have included:
- Training to ensure an improved understanding of rural crime amongst contact centre staff, ensuring that they are better able to identify risks and provide support to residents making contact.
- Use of national uplift capacity in some areas to introduce additional rural crime resources, such as in Mole Valley where the Borough Commander has introduced a dedicated post.
- Ongoing representation on the National Rural Crime Network and South-East Rural Partnership, which both champion a better understanding of crime in rural areas and effective ways to help to keep rural communities safe.
- Regular engagement with rural communities, including face-to-face meetings with farmers.
Latest News
Commissioner raises awareness over government alert that could expose “lifeline” secret phones
The alert will sound on phones at 3pm on Sunday, September 7, even if the phone has been set to silent.
Inside the Boots nerve centre where operators track Surrey’s shoplifters in real time
Lisa Townsend visited the Boots CCTV Monitoring Centre after a Surrey shoplifter was sentenced to two years in prison.
Six days without a report of crime: How police are ‘problem-solving’ offending in Woking town centre
A data-led crackdown on criminality in Woking town centre has resulted in six consecutive days without a reported crime.