Shoplifting charges soar as Commissioner releases new report |
The number of people being charged with shoplifting offences in Surrey has rocketed by 465 per cent - as a new report on the impact of retail crime is released.
Last year, Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend asked the county's business community for their experiences with crime.
Their responses, as well as Surrey Police's strategy for retail crime and commitment to victims, have been shared in a downloadable report available at surrey-pcc,gov.uk
Over the past two years, reports of shoplifting in the county have risen by 40 per cent. However, charges have increased dramatically.
More than a fifth of all shoplifting reports are now resulting in charges, up from 5.3 per cent three years ago.
Lisa said it is "vital" that retail crime is taken seriously.
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Drink and drug-drivers brought to justice during crackdown |
Police stopped hundreds of drivers in Surrey throughout December as part of a national crackdown on drink and drug-driving.
Operation Limit aims to tackle a rise in this type of offending during the festive season.
Increased patrols, targeted stops and roadside checks were carried out during the month.
Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend joined the Roads Policing Team for a Saturday night shift.
As well as stop-checks in Guildford, the team were also called to the scene of a crash on the Staines Bypass. The passenger was seriously hurt and needed to be cut free.
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Lisa said: "December regularly sees an increase in collisions and arrests linked to drink and drug driving, particularly around weekends, Christmas parties and the morning after a driver has consumed alcohol.
"It is never acceptable to drink or take drugs before getting behind the wheel, and the consequences of such an appalling and selfish decision can be devastating.
"Investigations into the cause of the crash on the Staines Bypass continue, and police have asked witnesses to come forward.
"I urge all motorists to ensure they are driving to the conditions, putting phones away in the glove box before starting their vehicles, and giving other road users plenty of space and consideration."
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Shoplifters are targeted during Guildford's Black Friday Blitz |
Covert loss prevention officers joined crowds in Guildford for one of the busiest shopping days of the year last month.
The Business Crime Reduction Partnership's annual Black Friday Blitz saw police in uniform working alongside plain-clothed teams to tackle retail crime.
Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson patrolled with the Town Rangers during the event.
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Commissioner celebrates Force's birthday with historic photo |
The Commissioner is marking Surrey Police's 175th anniversary by sharing a series of photos from the Force's archives.
More than 4,000 people work in policing in the county, serving 1.2million residents across 642 square miles.
But when the Force was founded as Surrey Constabulary in 1851, there were just 70 officers and five superintendents.
Lisa will be sharing stories from history to mark the occasion.
She chose a photograph of PC Charles Carpenter - one of the first-known photographs of a serving officer in Surrey - to share first.
The image of PC Carpenter, who was blinded in one eye after being hit by a stone while on duty, was taken in 1857.
He would have earned a wage of around 18 shillings a week.
Lisa thanked all serving and former officers and staff for their resolve and courage.
She said: "Without you, there wouldn't be a history to be proud of."
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Jan 12 - Commissioner visiting Eastern HQ policing teams
Jan 14 - Commissioner to meet with Probation Service officials
Jan 20 - PCC's monthly surgery
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Jan 26 - Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner joining a catapult patrol in Spelthorne
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Last chance to have your say on precept |
It's the last chance to have your say on how much you're prepared to pay towards policing in Surrey.
Last month, Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend launched her consultation on council tax.
Residents are invited to share their thoughts on whether they would pay a little more for the precept, which is the part of the tax that goes to police.
Surrey Police is one of the fastest-improving forces in the country, with charges rising for crime types including burglary, shoplifting and car crime.
However, Surrey receives the lowest funding from central Government in the country, with taxpayers contributing more than half of the Force's budget.
The survey closes on Jan 12.
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New Surrey Police base to open in Redhill |
A new Surrey Police base will open in Redhill next year.
Lisa Townsend has hailed a "bright future" for policing in East Surrey after the purchase of a building at the Perrywood Business Park in December.
It follows an extensive search for a site in Reigate and Banstead.
Police teams were forced to move out of the old Reigate Police Station in 2023 after the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).
Many have been operating out of a temporary location at nearby Wray Park in the meantime.
In 2024, Surrey Police announced plans to build a brand new Eastern Divisional HQ at a site in Leatherhead already owned by the Force.
But the Police and Crime Commissioner and senior Force leaders also wanted to find a secondary site in the Reigate and Banstead area to provide a home for some of the local policing teams and a front counter service for residents.
The building at Perrywood Business Park was the only site in the area that met the requirements and will be funded by the sale of the previous Reigate Police Station.
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Commissioner joins Angels on patrol |
In Guilford, a team of Angels with pockets full of lollipops help to keep the streets safe.
And each year, they have thousands of conversations with those who are vulnerable to harm - and avert 20 ambulance call-outs.
Those are just some of the successes achieved by the Street Angels, a team of volunteers managed by Guildford Town Centre Chaplaincy.
Commissioner Lisa Townsend, who contributes an annual £5,000 grant to the team, joined a patrol on the Saturday before Christmas.
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She said: "It's fantastic to see Surrey's night-time economy doing so well.
"However, some of the revellers out this evening will end up a little the worse for wear.
"Luckily, the Street Angels are on-hand to support anyone who may have become vulnerable through drink, drugs, homelessness or assault.
"I am delighted to be able to support this wonderful team."
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Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey
PO BOX 412, Guildford GU3 1Y
Tel: 01483 630200 | Contact us by email |
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. |
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