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"Major successes" achieved during Surrey's Safer Streets Summer

Over the course of the summer, a crackdown on criminality took place in 11 Surrey town centres.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend is now sharing more about the "major successes" achieved during the county's Safer Streets Summer initiative.

The scheme targeted criminality that typically rises during the summer, including anti-social behaviour, violence against women and girls and serious violence.

Lisa partnered with Surrey Police, local councils, Business Improvement Districts, schools and youth organisations to offer tailored crime prevention in each of the towns.

High-visibility patrols, plain-clothed operations and partnership working led to a series of arrests.

The Commissioner said: "This initiative put a spotlight on the work our fantastic policing teams do every single day.

"But the bread-and-butter police work of investigating, patrolling, dealing with criminality and aiming to prevent offending from every taking place will never end."

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"It's absolutely heart-breaking"

Volunteers working to rehabilitate wild birds in Surrey say the impact of catapult attacks is "heartbreaking".

Deputy Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson spoke to helpers from the Shepperton Swan Sanctuary in Spelthorne and Swan Support in Maidenhead as she calls for better legislation.

It comes months after she urged ministers to treat catapults similarly to knives. The change would put the onus on any carrier to prove they have a good reason to carry such a weapon, rather than the police to have evidence of unlawful intention.

Danni Rogers, who volunteers at the sanctuary in Shepperton, said he recently attended a "devastating" rescue where a cygnet was killed by a projectile fired from a catapult.

Ellie's campaign has now been backed by the National Rural Crime Network.

Tim Passmore, chair of the organisation, said it is time to send a “clear message”.

Full story >

Commissioner unveils dramatic new mural on footpath of concern

The Commissioner has unveiled a new mural on a footpath raised as a concern by residents.

Lisa Townsend contributed to the artwork in Epsom through her Community Safety Fund.

The painting was created in response to reports of anti-social behaviour and robbery on the public path connecting Nescot College to Ewell East station.

The mural, designed with art and design students from the college, features images from Nescot's 70-year history.

More here >

Investment fraud victims lose an average of £50,000

The cost of investment fraud in Surrey is "severe", with victims losing an average of £50,000, the Commissioner has warned.

Lisa Townsend said “sophisticated” scams make it difficult for investors to tell the difference between a genuine opportunity and a fraud.

Surrey Police’s Operation Signature aims to identify victims who are particularly vulnerable in the county, including those who may suffer repeated frauds.

Victims identified under Signature lost a total of £8.42million in the 12 months to August 2025.

In one recent case, a specially-trained fraud caseworker at Surrey’s Victim and Witness Care Unit (VWCU) supported a victim who was conned out of £350,000 after signing up to a crypto-based online trading platform.

Lisa said: “If you fear you are a victim, you are not alone and this is not your fault. I urge you to speak to Action Fraud and Surrey Police."

Learn more here >

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November 10 - Commissioner to attend a school performance of Put Up Your Swords

November 11 - Remembrance Day

November 18 - Summit of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and the National Police Chiefs' Council

November 25 - Commissioner to visit new police hub in Ash

November 26 - PCC's monthly surgery

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Do you know the signs of modern slavery?

Everyone can learn how to spot the signs that someone is a victim of modern slavery, Surrey's Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner has said.

As she marked Anti-Slavery Day, Ellie Vesey-Thompson said the "abhorrent" crime is often "hidden in plain sight."

Surrey’s roads network is often utilised by traffickers because it is a main arterial route from the Channel ports.

Recently, three suspected victims from Vietnam were found in a lorry at a Surrey service station.

All had been surviving on just bread and water for more than a week.

Ellie said: "By looking out for red flags that someone is being exploited by a criminal, we can all help to prevent this abhorrent practice."

What to look out for >

Surrey's young people have their say in poll

More than 1,600 children and young people from across Surrey have had their say on the crime and policing issues that matter most to them.

Anti-social behaviour, safety at night, hate crime and mental health were among the key issues raised at the Surrey Youth Commission’s annual Big Conversation Conference in October.

The forum, funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and led by Deputy Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson, aims to put youth voice at the heart of policing in Surrey.

The findings were presented at an event attended by representatives from Surrey Police, as well as a wide range of partners including the NHS, local authorities, and charities.
Ellie said: "There is a common misconception that young people need to be treated differently, or that their concerns are somehow unique or different.

“However, I know that what matters to young people is often the same as what matters to residents of all ages."

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The team turning the tide on shoplifters

A Surrey Police team is turning the tide on shoplifters – as officers solve 85 per cent of the retail crime cases they are tasked with investigating.

During a residents’ meeting in Ashford, Spelthorne Borough Commander Inspector Walton and Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson shared news of recent successes.

Reports of retail crime are up by almost 150 per cent in Spelthorne after officers urged the business community to report all offences.

Around a quarter of all retail crime cases reported in the borough are solved.

However, 85 per cent of all retail crime cases assigned to Insp Walton’s team are now being detected.

Meanwhile, Spelthorne has seen a recent 4.7 per cent decrease in all crime types.

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