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Commissioner and Chief Constable launch return of community events

Surrey residents are invited to have their say on the crime and policing issues that affect their community as a series of events around the county return.

A total of 12 in-person and online Policing Your Community events will take place over the autumn and winter. There will be 11 in-person events, while the final meeting will be hosted online.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, Chief Constable Tim De Meyer, the county's 11 Borough Commanders and three Divisional Commanders will answer the public's questions at the events.

Hundreds of people attended the meetings last year to discuss the issues that affect them most.

Lisa said: "I'm delighted to announce that the Policing Your Community events will return between September and January.

"I'd encourage all Surrey residents with an interest in crime and policing in the county to sign up and join us for their local event."

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Commissioner joins day of action to prevent ASB and crime in Surrey Heath

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend joined officers across Surrey Heath as they carried out a coordinated operation to help stamp out anti-social behaviour and crime across the borough.

During a day of action at the end of July, the Commissioner took part in targeted patrols aimed at reducing crime in the areas of the borough that had received the most reports of crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB).

This was accompanied by a visit to ‘pop-up’ club for children and young people, speeding enforcement and test purchasing to prevent the sale of vapes and knives to people who are underage.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend standing and speaking with three police officers in Camberley town centre

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend accompanies a police patrol in a popular park near Frimley

While all of the activities are carried out by Surrey Police and partners on a regular basis - the day coordinated these actions to help boost visible policing and build on the joint intelligence that helps to identify longer term solutions to the problems that are reported by local people and businesses.

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Surrey Police seeks to relocate Eastern division in Leatherhead

Surrey Police will relocate its eastern divisional headquarters from Reigate to Leatherhead when the temporary lease for the current Wray Park site ends.

The Leatherhead site has been on the commercial market for sale since last year, and reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was discovered in the construction of Reigate Police Station last year.

As a result, the team temporarily moved to the former Surrey Fire and Rescue Services HQ at Wray Park, Reigate.

The Surrey Police Estates Board, chaired by the Commissioner, has now approved plans to retain part of the Leatherhead site and build a permanent divisional HQ.

More here >

Share your views

23 Sep - 'Policing your Community' event, Guildford

07 Oct - 'Policing your Community' event, Reigate and Banstead

14 Oct - 'Policing your Community' event, Spelthorne

22 Oct - 'Policing your Community' event, Mole Valley

29 Oct - 'Policing your Community' event, Tandridge

04 Nov - 'Policing your Community' event, Epsom & Ewell

11 Nov - 'Policing your Community' event, Woking

18 Nov - 'Policing your Community' event, Elmbridge

25 Nov - 'Policing your Community' event, Runnymede

02 Dec - 'Policing your Community' event, Surrey Heath

11 Dec - 'Policing your Community' event, Waverley

13 Jan - Policing your Community' event (online)

"Heard the £200 shoplifting rumour?"

The Commissioner has moved to "myth-bust" a long-standing rumour around shoplifting.

Lisa Townsend said claims police won't investigate lower-value shoplifting incidents are "categorically untrue".

It comes after she joined an undercover sting at a supermarket in Redhill, where a suspected offender was detained for allegedly stealing items worth just £7.50.

Within recent months, the work of a single officer who was initially tasked with investigating shoplifting at a branch of Tesco in Guildford uncovered an alleged two years of offending by a gang based in Essex.

Six people have now been charged in connection with the allegations.

Lisa said: “For many years now, there has been a persistent rumour that police will only investigate reports of shoplifting where the value exceeds £200.

“This is categorically untrue, and it’s time to myth-bust this particular story."

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Guildford funding boost

A crackdown on anti-social behaviour in Guildford is under way as a result of funding secured by Commissioner Lisa Townsend and partners.

The town was one of three Surrey areas awarded a combined total of almost £1million last year as part of the Home Office's Safer Streets Fund.

Guildford was granted £273,000 to combat anti-social behaviour.

Surrey Police, working closely with key stakeholders including Guildford Borough Council and Experience Guildford, are now working to drive down reports in the town centre.

How police are tackling ASB >