$show_clientname, read our latest news & updates - Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey

Have your say!
Commissioner launches survey on police force merger plans

Surrey residents are being invited to share their views about Government proposals to merge police forces in a survey launched by Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend.

Under plans for police reform announced in January, the Government intends to scrap the current 43 force system in England and Wales and create larger regional forces in their place.

It would likely mean Surrey Police will disappear and be merged with neighbouring forces in Sussex, Thames Valley, Kent and Hampshire to form a regional ‘mega force’ in the south-east.

The Commissioner said she believes the plans would be a disaster for residents in Surrey, resulting in resources being diverted from local communities and neighbourhood policing being diluted in the county.

Although an independent review is being carried out to advise the Government on how to take the plans forward, the public are not being consulted meaning it’s unclear if there is wider support for the merger plans.

PCC Lisa Townsend said: “I make no bones about it – I believe Surrey residents deserve better than this. We are the safest county in the south-east with no city and much lower crime rates than our neighbours.

“I am concerned that a merger with other forces would result in resources being pulled away from our communities to support higher crime areas leaving Surrey with a second-rate service.

“This is my opinion however and I know it may not be shared by everyone.

“But this is really important for the future of policing and although the Government are drawing the plans up, the public are not being consulted.

“I want to ensure the public of Surrey have a voice and that is why I am asking everyone to take a few minutes to fill out my survey and have their say".

The survey closes on Monday 17th August 2026.

Complete survey here >

Commissioner advocates phone-free schools to prevent online harm and reduce anti-social behaviour

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend is supporting the approach to make phone-free schools the default.

This follows the Commissioner’s visit to The Winston Churchill School in Woking that has introduced a self-funded scheme where secure lockable pouches for student phones are standard practice.

The 1500 students at the mixed secondary school for 11- to 16-year-olds keep their phones with them, secured in a Yondr pouch, which is locked on arrival and unlocked at the end of the school day, by tapping the pouch on an unlocking base.

This creates a clear physical boundary that removes distraction without requiring constant enforcement by staff.

James French, deputy headteacher at The Winston Churchill School said: “As a result of the scheme, we have seen more than a 50% reduction in phone related behaviour incidents throughout the school.

Lisa said: “Implementing a clear policy to prohibit the use of mobile phones throughout the school day significantly reduces cyberbullying and online harm cases that can escalate to police involvement.

“Other schools adopting the scheme have reported up to an 80% decrease in safeguarding incidents after going phone-free.

“Phone thefts and low-level incidents of anti-social behaviour are significantly reduced.

“This adds up to a wider, more joined-up preventative approach that steers young people away from crime.”

Find out more here >

Shining a light on the role of PCSOs

“Neighbourhood policing is more than a job – it’s a vocation for police officers, staff and volunteers who work hard to keep communities safe and where no two days are ever the same”.

That’s according to Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, who has paid tribute to Surrey Police’s Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) during this year’s Neighbourhood Policing Week.

Police Community Support Officers – or PCSOs – provide an important, visible presence and serve as a key liaison between the public and policing within Surrey’s SNTs.

Their fundamental role is to gather information, preserve community safety by reducing conflict, and foster positive relations within neighbourhoods through targeted visible patrols. PCSOs hold designated legal powers of enforcement, although they are not fully warranted police officers.

PCSOs numbers have increased right across Surrey by almost a quarter in the year ending September 2025.

Lisa said: “PCSOs provide a valuable uniformed presence within our towns and villages. Not only do they improve confidence in public safety by developing close working relationships with businesses, community-based organisations and residents, they help to tackle anti-social behaviour and support other ongoing police operations.

“Thank you to all the PCSOs and other staff and officers who contribute to Surrey Police’s neighbourhood policing teams. Your hard work, care and dedication provide a lifeline to the communities that you serve.”

Read more here >

Sign up now for Policing Your Community 2026

Our series of Policing Your Community events are continuing across Surrey until the end of July.

Click below to register for an event in your area:

July 7 - Policing Your Community, Reigate and Banstead

July 9 - Policing Your Community, Surrey Heath

July 14 - Policing Your Community, Elmbridge

July 21 - Policing Your Community, online

July 29 - Policing Your Community, Waverley

Behind the scenes at Surrey Police's biggest pre-planned policing operation

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend went behind the scenes at the Epsom Derby on Ladies day.

Tens of thousands of people showed up for the two day horse racing festival on 5 and 6 June.

This year's Derby Day was attended by His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla on Derby Day.

Lisa met some of the policing teams including the drone specialists and dog section that were working tirelessly to keep visitors and the wider community safe. Eleven arrests were made across the two day festival.

Lisa said: "Whether it’s four paws on the ground or the eye in the sky monitoring the crowds, the policing operation is a true team effort.

"I want to thank all police officers, staff, volunteers and partner agencies for their hard work to protect everyone both inside and outside the festival ground".

Commissioner helps fellow type 1 diabetic in emergency on motorway

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend - a type 1 diabetic - shared an incident that happened to raise awareness during this year's 'Strike out Stigma' campaign for Diabetes Week.

Lisa was on shift with Surrey Police’s Roads Policing Unit when a call came through about an ‘intoxicated driver’ on the M3 near Esher. As they neared the scene, a further call confirmed that rather than being drunk, the driver appeared to have suffered a medical incident.

Lisa spent time with the driver who was confused and barely able to lift their head – all the signs of a diabetic in a low sugar state or ‘hypo’ – and sadly easy to mistake for intoxication. His mobile app monitoring his blood sugar confirmed dangerously low levels.

Lisa was able to share some of her dextrose gummy sweets that she always carries to deliver sugar directly into his system and bring blood sugars back up to a safe level. Within 15 minutes, the driver was almost recovered. The driver was a type 1 diabetic.

The ‘Strike Out Stigma’ campaign revealed that 80% of diabetics regularly face negative attitudes from people passing judgement about those living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Lisa said: "Having a hypo is frightening. I was so pleased to have been able to help that driver in need and be in the right place at the right time."

Find out more here >

Your final chance to attend a Policing your Community event

Policing your Community events are a forum to hear about policing priorities in your area and provide you with an opportunity to ask questions to the Police and Crime Commissioner, Chief Constable and Borough Commander.

We're holding events in every Surrey Borough and District along with an online event for anyone who is unable to attend an event in person.

Events have taken place so far in Ash, Leatherhead, Ewell, Sunbury, Pyrford, Chertsey and Oxted.

Coming up in July are meetings in Redhill, Lightwater and Godalming. The event in Weybridge has currently reached capacity and is currently on a wait list only basis. Please sign up to all events via the registration links above.

The event in Chertsey postponed on 23rd June due to an red extreme red heat warning is being rescheduled for September. Details to follow soon.