The secret garden where children in crisis get support from experts |
Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend and her Deputy, Ellie Vesey-Thompson, have visited a secret garden where children suffering with their mental health can go for support.
Charity Eikon, which is based in the grounds of Fullbrook School, New Haw, aims to prevent its young clients from getting to crisis point.
Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, has recently awarded £20,000 from her Community Safety Fund towards the first year of the organisation’s Family Wellbeing Service.
The scheme will provide tailored support to 3,550 families with additional needs over the next five years.
Those who need extra help from Eikon's 100 staff and volunteers are invited to the garden, which has transformed from an overgrown site used only by school caretakers to an idyllic landscaped park.
The Commissioner said: "Eikon's approach is based in pragmatism – in this age of technology and social media, it’s more important than ever that we find ways to let our children be children."
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Rural communities have their say at Deputy's first public forum |
Farmers, equestrians, anglers, landowners, and representatives from rural organisations have joined Surrey’s Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner at two landmark meetings.
Ellie Vesey-Thompson hosted dual Rural Crime Forums events in September. The first, a public event in Busbridge, was attended by around 50 people.
Issues including unauthorised encampments, poaching and police's relationships with rural communities were among the topics raised.
Questions were answered by both Ellie and Chief Inspector Chris Tinney, Surrey Police's lead for rural crime.
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The following week, rural partners were invited to Surrey Police's Guildford HQ to discuss the matters raised in greater detail.
Further forums are planned.
Ellie said under-reporting of crime can be common.
“I understand the challenges our rural communities face and how impactful crime can be," she said.
"I hope these meetings reassure residents that Surrey Police takes rural crime seriously."
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27,000 meals - and a sanctuary for those without a home of their own |
In an unassuming portacabin near a Surrey Heath library, a team of staff and volunteers are improving the lives of the borough's homeless residents.
The Hope Hub, based in Camberley, has served up 27,000 hot meals since 2019. The service aims to support veterans and rough sleepers into work and safe accommodation.
One client, a pensioner found sleeping in a van, was helped to secure ID, open a bank account, access his pension, and find a property.
The Hub is part-funded by Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, who recently approved a new grant from her Reducing Reoffending Fund to support the service until 2028.
Staff offer both practical and pastoral support, including the use of washing machines, dryers and warm showers, as well as training courses and money management classes.
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Volunteers dedicate 700 hours to visiting Surrey's custody suites |
Surrey volunteers have given 700 hours of their time in just 12 months to ensuring the rights, wellbeing and dignity of detainees in custody.
Independent Custody Visitors, or ICVs, are specially-trained members of the public who make unannounced visits to Surrey Police's custody suites.
Over the past year, volunteers conducted 176 visits, spending 323 hours in custody and directly checking on the welfare of almost 1,000 detainees.
They had just under 445 conversations with those in custody.
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October 9 - Commissioner to unveil a new mural at Nescot
October 14 - Lord Lieutenant's Awards
October 15-16 - General meeting of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners
October 28 - PCC's monthly surgery
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Do you know a brilliant young artist? |
It may feel like summer has only just ended, but if you’re anything like Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, yule already be thinking about Christmas.
Lisa Townsend and her Deputy, Ellie Vesey-Thompson, have launched their annual Christmas competition – and they’re looking for a brilliant young artist to design their festive cards.
Children working with any of Surrey’s youth services are invited to put pen, pencil or paintbrush to A4 paper and submit their creative ho-ho-holiday designs by Friday, October 31 2025.
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This year’s theme is ‘Christmas in Surrey’. The winner will receive a £100 Amazon voucher.
Any child or young person involved with a Surrey youth service can enter the competition.
Lisa, who helps to fund a range of organisations through her Children and Young People’s Fund, said: "We're very much looking forward to seeing this year's entries."
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Spelthorne sergeant achieves law change |
Commissioner Lisa Townsend has hailed a Spelthorne sergeant who successfully lobbied for a new law.
Sgt Candice Gill campaigned for the Government to close a loophole impacting frontline staff.
While it is a criminal offence to racially or religiously abuse someone in public, this previously did not extend to incidents occurring in homes.
It meant that those who visit private addresses as part of their work - including police officers, care staff and other emergency workers - had no legal protection from such attacks during home visits.
Sgt Gill battled for the law change after experiencing racial abuse in a private home.
She was supported by Deputy Chief Constable Kemp, who capitalised on opportunities to brief ministers and wrote a number of letters, and the Commissioner, who joined a trip to Parliament to make the case for change.
Over the summer, it was confirmed that the Government will make an amendment to the law, subject to the Police and Crime Bill receiving Royal Assent later this year.
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Shoplifter who tried to flee the country is jailed |
A brazen shoplifter who stole items worth more than £34,000 in a six-week spree has been jailed.
Wesley Maughan, 25, was one of the cases brought to Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend’s attention during a visit to the Boots CCTV Monitoring Centre over the summer.
Lisa met with security staff at the hub in Nottinghamshire after their work with Surrey Police led to the arrest and charge of 22-year-old Ashford man John Ward.
The hub has now worked with the Force once again to secure a conviction for Maughan, of Slough.
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