Latest news & updates - Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey

Commissioner visits Christian Cente as she joins PCSO in Dorking

Photo from behind of Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend walking down an alley in Dorking with local Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Penny.

The Commissioner joined local Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Penny as she walked her patch in Dorking's town centre in September.

The Commissioner learned more about a Public Spaces Protection Order, which has been applied by the local Surrey Police team to curb anti-social drinking and other forms of ASB in the area, before taking a walk through nearby stores to deter shoplifters.

The Commissioner also spoke to the Chaplain at Dorking's Christian Centre. The venue provides valuable warm space, meals and services to support individuals who face challenges including hunger, homelessness and addiction.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend with local Dorking PCSO Penny as they stand outside the Christian Centre Cafe near the high street.

Interested in a career with Surrey Police? Learn more about becoming a PCSO at surrey.police.uk/careers

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Organised criminal gangs are fuelling boom in rural crime, Deputy Commissioner warns

Organised criminal gangs are using rural crime to fuel drug supply and child sexual exploitation across the UK, the Deputy Commissioner has warned.

Speaking during National Rural Crime Week, which took place in September, Ellie Vesey-Thompson said: “This issue has a significant impact. Like a stone thrown in a pond, the harm caused can ripple outwards, causing far graver consequences than you’d first imagine.

“During a conference in London, I heard from experts including Superintendent Andrew Huddleston, who leads the UK’s National Rural Crime Unit, that this type of offending is fuelled in part by organised criminal gangs (OCGs).

“Machinery thefts, for example, cause financial harm and delays to farming communities, but they also often result in huge profits to the OCGs responsible.

“We know that organised crime does so much harm to society, and the crimes committed by gangs in rural areas can fund activities including drug and firearms trafficking and child sexual exploitation.

“Rural crime does not exist in a vacuum. These offences are serious and alarming, and they can cause huge distress to members of the public who have no connection whatsoever to the initial incident."

Commissioner and Deputy attend residents' meetings in Caterham and Esher

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend sitting with the local councillor and local police officers in Tandridge, together with residents at the Arc centre. Colourful soft play equipment is visible behind the Commissioner and colleagues.

The Commissioner and her Deputy heard from residents in Caterham and Esher last week as they attended meetings with local councillors in both areas.

Listening to the concerns of a residents is a key part of the Commissioner's role in Surrey. Lisa oversees the performance of Surrey police against priorities identified by you in her Police and Crime Plan.

The meetings came as Lisa prepares to announce a series of new public engagement events with Surrey Police that will take place in every borough and district during the coming weeks.

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Ellie Vesey-Thompson sitting at a table with a red tablecloth in a library setting with the Surrey Police Borough Commander for Runnymede and local councillors.

See the latest information on meetings and events by following our social media pages or visiting our website.

Coming up...

Oct 10 - Residents' meeting in Claygate/Hinchley Wood

Oct 24 - Policing your Community event in Guildford

Oct 25 - Residents' meeting in Ashtead

Oct 26 - Policing your Community event in Dorking

Oct 27 - Deadline for Surrey Youth Commission applications

See more information at: surrey-pcc.gov.uk

Recruitment opens for new Youth Commission members

Poster for the Surrey Youth Commission containing a group photo of young adults part of the Commission in 2022 in a hall with Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson and the text: Aged 14-25 and live in Surrey? Got opinions about policing and crime? Surrey Youth Commission needs you! Applications by Friday 27 October 2023. Contact kaytea@leaders-unlocked.org

A forum that allows young people in Surrey to have their say on the crime and policing issues that affect them most is recruiting new members.

The Surrey Youth Commission, now in its second year, is welcoming applications from people aged between 14 and 25 to gather and represent the views of young people on the policing and community safety issues that affect them most.

The group is funded by our office and overseen by Deputy Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson.

Learn more >

"It wasn't me - my one-night stand borrowed the car"

Lisa Townsend has shared some of the worst excuses ever given to officers by speeding drivers as a county-wide roads campaign began last month.

The Commissioner, who also serves as the national lead for road safety and transport for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, urged drivers to slow down during Surrey Police’s Vulnerable Road Users Campaign.

Officers from the Force's Vanguard Road Safety Team told of the worst explanations speeding drivers have given.

One driver caught motoring at more than 100 miles per hour on the M23 told officers they feared the second-hand car they were on the way to buy would be sold by the time they arrived.

Another revealed they’d put their foot down because they were running late for court.

A speeding driver caught by a camera claimed they couldn’t identify the real driver because they’d allowed a one-night stand to borrow the vehicle.

Lisa said: “Our fantastic roads policing officers have heard every excuse there is for careless, distracted and dangerous driving.

“But as the Vulnerable Road User Campaign gets underway, I want to reiterate that there simply is no excuse."

Full story >

Cheers for ASB heroes at awards

Deputy Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson speaking behind microphone stand at the tackling anti-social behaviour awards in Surrey in September

Police and members of the public who help stamp out anti-social behaviour in Surrey were honoured at an awards ceremony in September.

The event, opened by Deputy Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson, was funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Surrey Crimestoppers.

Ellie said: "These awards demonstrate the inspiring work that goes on to support victims and tackle anti-social behaviour by getting to the root cause of issues.

“The impact of anti-social behaviour can be truly devastating for those affected, and we are dedicated to ensuring both that victims are always at the heart of our response and that serious and persistent offenders are brought to justice."