Commissioner's recommendations for council tax are approved |
Police teams in Surrey will be properly funded in the year ahead, Commissioner Lisa Townsend said as her council tax recommendations were approved last month.
Lisa's suggested 4.4 per cent increase in the policing element of council tax, known as the precept, was approved by members of the Police and Crime Panel.
An average Band D property will be charged £15 extra a year, or just over £1 more each month, from March.
Lisa said Surrey Police is making “incredible” strides, doubling the number of charges across the board and solving 40 per cent more crimes.
But the Force remains one of the most poorly-funded forces in the country, with residents contributing 55 per cent of the total budget through their council tax contributions.
Lisa said: “My vow to Surrey residents is that the money they contribute to policing will always be used to ensure officers are doing what only they can do – fighting crime, tackling offenders and keeping communities safe."
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Huge improvement recorded in 999 and 101 call-answering times |
Concerns raised by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire Services during Surrey Police's 2023 inspection have resulted in "dramatic improvements".
Following that review 18 months ago, Surrey Police was deemed inadequate at responding to both the public, taking too long to answer both emergency and non-emergency calls.
Wide-scale changes have taken place since that time, including a complete overhaul of the contact centre at the Force's HQ.
And Commissioner Lisa Townsend said the results have been "truly impressive".
On average, the Force now attends the most serious calls for service within 13 minutes - seven minutes quicker than the 20-minute national standard.
In December 2025, non-emergency calls via 101 were answered six minutes faster than in December 2024.
101 call abandonment rates dropped from 36% to 7%, and it now takes on average just 12 seconds to answer a 101 call.
Within the same timeframe, 999 calls were answered in two seconds rather than five and the abandonment rate dropped from 11% to just 2%.
And when it comes to 999 call performance, Surrey Police has gone from the bottom of a national table to the top two, just behind Sussex.
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"Don't let criminals break your heart and break you financially" |
A new 'deepfake' video of Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner has been shared to warn residents of the dangers of AI-generated fraud.
The video, part of the Commissioner's Question EVERYTHING campaign, raises awareness of the harms caused by romance fraudsters.
Set in a candlelit restaurant, the Lisa deepfake explains that she is ‘machine-made'.
Fraudsters are using this type of technology to manipulate film, pictures and voices to create fake profiles and build ‘relationships’ with the intention of stealing money or personal information.
Lisa said: “Romance fraud is surging, and by using AI technology, fraudsters are able to closely mimic human behaviour, provide immediate responses, and exploit vulnerable people with devastating consequences.”
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Sightings of mysterious wildcats spark 'Surrey puma' rumours |
This publicity shot of a police officer holding a bobcat was distributed between 1965 and 1967 to highlight the search for the ‘Surrey puma’.
Over the course of just two years, Surrey Police reviewed 362 reported sightings of wild cats.
The tabloid press was so excited by the story that they dubbed the mystery feline the ‘Crondall cougar’, the ‘Munstead monster’, and - most famously of all - the ‘Surrey puma’.
This photograph from the archives has been released by the Commissioner as she celebrates the Force's 175th anniversary this year.
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March 3 - Deputy Commissioner attending the Surrey Armed Forces Covenant Convention
March 10 - Formal meeting of the south-eastern PCCs and Chief Constables
March 24 - Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner attending the National Rural Crime Network conference
March 25 - PCC's monthly surgery
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Police in Ashford "turn tide" on criminals |
Police are "turning the tide" on criminals operating in Ashford, Lisa Townsend has said.
The Commissioner joined Spelthorne's Safer Neighbourhood Team at a residents' association meeting to hear more about their successes in the town.
All reported crime has dropped by nine per cent, while detections for shoplifting have doubled and vehicle crime has reduced by 34 per cent.
Ten warrants have been carried out to disrupt drug dealing, and two new PCSOs are now on the beat.
Meanwhile, 137 extra foot patrols have been carried out in Church Street, one of Spelthorne's 'hotspots', and the town enjoyed its safest Halloween on record in 2025.
Lisa said: "The tide is being turned on criminality and anti-social behaviour in the town."
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Commissioner's support for burglary prevention |
Lisa Townsend has approved a new grant to tackle burglary during the darker months.
One of the Commissioner's key responsibilities is to commission key services that strengthen community safety, bolster crime prevention and support victims.
She has now awarded £1,600 for Surrey Police's Winter Nights burglary initiative, which helps residents take an active role in crime prevention.
Late last year, Lisa joined teams in Guildford to promote the Autumn Nights campaign.
Among the items funded by the Commissioner are leaflets, storage containers that resemble drinks cans, and Faraday pouches for car keys.
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Commissioner has a ball at football session |
Lisa Townsend joined young people from across Spelthorne at a Brentford Community Sports Trust session.
The Commissioner visited the Eclipse Leisure Centre in Staines for a training night as part of initiative Changing Directions.
The youth engagement and crime reduction programme aims to reach young people who may be at risk of criminal exploitation.
Staff from the Trust hold regular outreach sessions, on the pitch, in schools, and in communities.
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They also lead educational workshops and give one-on-one mentoring.
Lisa said: "It's just fantastic to see young people enjoying themselves with new friends.
"I was so impressed by the work the team at the Brentford Community Sports Trust do."
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Can you do something special for your community?
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Special Constables serving with Surrey Police come from all walks of life.
They volunteer alongside police constables to fight crime, protect the public, and build trust within communities.
Following initial training, the Force requires a minimum commitment of 16 hours per month.
There's no such thing as a 'typical' shift - Special Constables may be responding to 999 calls, patrolling neighbourhoods, preserving crime scenes or conducting house-to-house enquiries.
Interested in joining?
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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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