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

Commissioner announces £1m boost for three Surrey communities

Lisa Townsend has announced a major funding boost to three areas of Surrey after her office successfully bid for £1m of government funding.

The money, part of the Home Office's Safer Streets initiative, will be spent in Redhill, Guildford and Walton.

Lisa said a number of planned measures will make all areas safer places to live and hailed the announcement as fantastic news for residents in those communities.

Commissioner joins Surrey Police at 'Policing your Community' events across the county

Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner has launched a series of public engagement events in each of the county's 11 boroughs.

Lisa Townsend and Surrey Police's Chief Constable Tim de Meyer will host meetings around the county over the autumn and winter, followed by a series of online events in January 2024.

They are your chance to ask questions about policing where you live, and will include presentations from the Commissioner, Chief Constable and the Borough Commander for your area.

During October, we heard from residents at the first of the meetings that took place in Guildford, Beare Green and Camberley.

Find the event for your area

The Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: "These engagement events allow the Chief Constable and I to hear what our communities think about crime and policing where they live.

"I encourage residents to join us, whether that's in person or at one of the online events taking place in the new year."

Can you be a community champion?

Romance scammers cost Surrey victims £2m in a year

Romance scammers defrauded Surrey victims of almost £2million in just a year, the Commissioner has warned.

Speaking during September's Romance Fraud Awareness Week, Lisa Townsend said Surrey Police received 170 reports from victims between September 2022 and September 2023.

Stats recorded by the Force's Op Signature, its campaign to identify and support vulnerable victims of fraud, reveal that:

- Most of the victims who contacted the Force – 23 per cent – were initially approached via dating apps, although 14 per cent of those targeted began speaking with fraudsters on Facebook, and 13 per cent were first contacted on WhatsApp

- More than half of victims – 53 per cent – were male

- While most money was lost via bank transfer – 42 per cent – fraudsters also encouraged their victims to part ways with their cash by purchasing gift cards, Amazon vouchers and Bitcoin

Lisa said: “I want to let anyone who is suffering now know that they are not alone. This is not their fault.

“The criminals behind this appalling fraud are clever and manipulative.

“Please speak to Action Fraud and Surrey Police if you think you may be the victim of a scam."

Coming up...

Nov 03 - PCC online surgery

Request a meeting

Nov 06 - 'Policing your Community' event - Epsom & Ewell

Nov 08 - 'Policing your Community' event - Reigate & Banstead

Nov 13 - 'Policing your Community' event - Elmbridge

Nov 18 - 'Policing your Community' event - Tandridge

Nov 22 - 'Policing your Community' event - Woking

Nov 29 - 'Policing your Community' event - Runnymede

Dec 04 - 'Policing your Community' event - Waverley

Deputy joins night shift as students return to uni

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson has joined officers in Guildford as students returned to university.

Uniformed officers were on patrol in the town during Freshers Week to provide reassurance and give young people advice on safeguarding.

Plain-clothed behaviour detection officers were also at work in clubs and bars looking for potential perpetrators who might be targeting vulnerable women.

Ellie said: "I’m really proud to be part of this proactive campaign, which will make the streets safer for everyone.

"The Force’s work, which I’ve highlighted this evening but continues throughout the year, shows we are pursuing perpetrators and leaving them with nowhere to hide."

Commissioner joins panel at Politics Live

Commissioner Lisa Townsend discussed facial recognition technology, the benefits system and the conflict between Israel and Gaza as she joined the Politics Live panel in late October.

Lisa joined Lord David Blunkett, columnist Andrew Fisher and Baroness Claire Fox for the debate.

Watch the show >

Arrests made during days of action on serious crime

An operation targeting criminals who exploit major road and rail networks resulted in 68 arrests over a three-day stretch in October.

Nine police forces - including Surrey - worked together to share intelligence and co-ordinate resources.

Surrey’s Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Ellie Vesey-Thompson, joined officers on patrol in the north of the county during the operation.