Latest News & Updates                                April 2023

Commissioner Lisa Townsend has met with the Minister for Victims and Sentencing to discuss a national operation dedicated to driving up convictions for rape and other sexual offences.

Edward Argar MP travelled to Surrey Police’s Guildford HQ to speak with the Commissioner alongside Deputy Chief Constable Nev Kemp and new Chief Constable Tim De Meyer.

The group then visited the Surrey Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre to learn more about the work that is currently being done to support survivors.

The visit comes amid a UK-wide drive to double the number of sexual offences cases reaching court through Op Soteria, a joint initiative between police forces and the Crown Prosecution Service.

The Commissioner said: “I was pleased to host the minister and have the opportunity to highlight the work of RASASC, which is one of the services supported by my office.

“There are many wonderful initiatives that I’m proud to champion in this county, and over the past year, my office’s spend on domestic abuse services has reached more than £1.5million.

“However, it is indisputable that convictions for sexual violence in Surrey and the wider UK are shockingly low. Tragically, fewer than four per cent of survivors will see their abuser convicted.

 “We know that something has to change, and in Surrey, we’re absolutely committed to bringing more criminals to justice."

COMMISSIONER Lisa Townsend joined BBC 2's Politics Live panel in March to discuss some of the month's top stories.

During a lively 45-minute debate alongside Labour MP Fleur Anderson, Ellie May O'Hagan from the Good Law Project and the Telegraph's deputy comment editor Annabel Denham, Lisa tackled the cost of living crisis and childcare expenses.

She also argued that nitrous oxide - also known as laughing gas - is strongly linked to anti-social behaviour, telling presenter Jo Coburn that "any of the residents in Surrey" will be "used" to seeing discarded nos canisters.

"I slightly take issue with the idea that it's relatively benign because we know that actually a lot of the side effects are really quite dangerous, including potentially death," she said.

"What we're seeing is an increase in road accidents, including serious and fatal accidents, where nitrous oxide has been a factor because somebody has been driving under the influence.

"We wouldn't accept that with alcohol or other drugs, and we shouldn't be accepting it here."

The Government have since announced a plan to ban possession of Nitrous Oxide and strengthen regulations on its sale as part of it's Anti-social Behaviour Action Plan.

The Commissioner said she welcomed a focus on retailers but was concerned that banning possession would place a disproportionate emphasis on the criminal justice system including police.

She said: "Further criminalising Nitrous Oxide shifts the focus away from a partnership approach that can address community harm from multiple angles. This needs to include education, more opportunities for young people and better support for victims."