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Latest News & Updates
150 arrests as police launch crackdown on Epsom criminals

More than 150 arrests have been made in Epsom and Ewell as part of a crackdown on organised criminality.

Supported with funding secured by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Safer Epsom uses the national Clear, Hold, Build framework.

A three-stage process, Clear, Hold, Build involves police 'clearing' an area of criminality, securing it so other offenders cannot take advantage, and then working with partners to build resilience in communities.

The 'Clear' stage is now complete. Officers have worked in partnership with the borough council and housing associations.

Teams are focusing on creating a safer environment for all by targeting the most prolific offenders.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: "The Clear, Hold, Build programme has resulted in some huge successes in Redhill already, and I'm delighted with the achievements now under way in Epsom and Ewell.

"Shoplifting, vehicle-related crime and drug dealing are among the key priorities for police in the borough.

"I believe residents will soon see the difference that is being made in their community."
Read more here >
"I took a lady to meet the man who cut her son's throat"
A mother who hugged the man who cut her son's throat is one of the victims supported through a little-known scheme funded by Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner.

Lisa Townsend runs the county’s Restorative Justice Hub, which aims to bring together offenders and victims to discuss the impact of criminality. 

In a new video, the Commissioner is joined by facilitator Mike Ledwidge and two members of her criminal justice policy team, George Bell and Craig Jones, to discuss the impact restorative justice can have.  

The process gives both victims and offenders the opportunity to communicate in a face-to-face meeting, or via a letter, a recorded audio interview or a video. 

While all victims of crime can seek a restorative justice outcome, a meeting will only take place if both the victim and the offender agree to it. 

The scheme is voluntary, and trained facilitators assess risks and ensure the safety of those involved. 
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Record number of arrests during drink and drug drive crackdown

A record 369 arrests were made during Operation Limit, Surrey Police's annual drink and drug driving crackdown.

The operation takes place each year during December, when driving offences tend to rise.

Of the arrests, 167 were for drug driving, while 81 were for drink driving. 

Commissioner Lisa Townsend, who joined the Roads Policing Unit for an Operation Limit patrol before Christmas, said: "Outstanding work by roads policing teams across the county have led to a significant and alarming number of arrests over Christmas.

"It is deeply frustrating that the following needs to be said at all: drink and drug driving ruins lives. The consequences can be catastrophic."
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Commissioner releases another historic photo to mark anniversary

A photo of Surrey Police's longest-serving Chief Constable has been released as Commissioner Lisa Townsend celebrates the Force's 175th anniversary.

Captain Howard C Hastings served from 1851 until his retirement in 1899. 

A former Navy captain, Hastings was appointed at the age of 38 by magistrates. He was viewed as an ‘officer and a gentleman’ capable of commanding respect and enforce discipline.

He demanded that officers should be ‘honest and sober’, under 30 years old and at least 5’ 7” tall. 
 
The Commissioner is sharing photographs from Surrey Police history each week. 
Read more here >
Coming up...

 

Feb 3 - Commissioner visiting the National Police Air Service team at Redhill


Feb 4 - Police and Crime Panel meet to vote on the precept


Feb 5 - Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner visiting Staines custody suite 


Feb 25 - PCC's monthly surgery 

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'Mega forces' plan is a "disaster" for Surrey

Lisa Townsend says merger plans for police that would create 'mega forces' would be a "disaster" for Surrey.

The Government's white paper on reform includes proposals to significantly reduce the current number of forces across England and Wales.

It could lead to the creation of much larger forces, with Surrey potentially merging with other neighbouring forces in the south east.

The Commissioner said: "I believe these plans would be a complete disaster for Surrey residents.

"We are the safest county in the south-east, with much lower crime rates than our neighbours.

“My fear is that resources would be pulled away from our communities to support higher crime areas.

"This would leave Surrey with a second-rate service.

"I believe the creation of regional forces would not only be expensive and complex to deliver, but here in Surrey would result in the dilution of both local accountability and the service our residents rightly expect."
Read more here >
Thank you for taking the time to have your say
A consultation into how much Surrey residents are prepared to pay towards policing in the county has now closed.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend asked those who live and work in Surrey whether they would pay a little extra every month in council tax.

She will present the results at the next meeting of the Police and Crime Panel, which takes place on February 4.

Members of the Panel will then vote on the Commissioner's recommendations.

The Government expects Police and Crime Commissioners to raise £15 extra per household in 2026-27.

Surrey Police remains one of the most poorly-funded forces in the country, with taxpayers contributing 55 per cent of the total cost of policing.
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Youth Commissioners visit contact centre

Members of the Surrey Youth Commission visited the 101 and 999 contact centre at the Force's Mount Browne HQ during December.

For the first time, members of the forum attended a meeting at the police base, and were invited to speak to the staff who dispatch emergency responses to incidents around the county.

During the day-long event, they also discussed hate crime with Chief Inspector Nolan Heather.

The Youth Commission is funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and led by Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson.

Members recently polled 1,600 of their peers to understand the key issues impacting children and young people in Surrey.

Over the course of the next year, members will work with partners to deliver campaigns based on their priorities. 
Learn more >
In the news:

Surrey Live:
Surrey county line drug 'conductor' who helped supply heroin and cocaine jailed

BBC Surrey:
Lisa Townsend said policing reforms are an "absolute disaster" for Surrey (listen again from 2:10:04)

Haslemere Herald:
Record 369 arrests made during Surrey Police winter drink and drug driving campaign

Leatherhead Living:
Safer Epsom and Ewell: Partnership efforts pave way for safer communities
See all the latest news from our Office here. 
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Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey
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The Office of the Police Crime Commissioner's Office is independent from Surrey Police. Contact Surrey Police on 101, at https://surrey.police.uk or on Surrey Police social media pages. Always dial 999 in an emergency.