Representing the views of those who live and work in Surrey in how our county is policed is the single most important part of my role as Police and Crime Commissioner.
When I was elected for a second term last May, I wanted to ensure that my priorities reflected what the public told me they want to see from their policing service.
That is why I pledged to focus on a more ‘back to basics’ approach which would concentrate on what our policing teams do best – fighting crime in our local communities, getting tough on offenders and protecting people.
So I am delighted to present my new Police and Crime Plan which sets out the blueprint for policing in Surrey over the next three years which I believe will deliver on that promise.
The Chief Constable and I have recently completed our Policing Your Community roadshow across the county where residents told us what was important to them where they live.
Issues included tackling anti-social behaviour in our communities, improving police visibility, preventing violence against women and girls and combating the growing scourge of shoplifting.
This Plan has been designed to ensure our officers and staff are tackling those crimes that matter most to our residents and will provide the basis on which I hold the Chief Constable to account.
The good news is that Surrey Police are one of the fastest improving forces in the country. In the last 12 months, the Force has more than doubled its charge rate, with an additional 3,500 offences being prosecuted.
It has also made over 2,500 more arrests and made dramatic improvements in tackling offences important to residents such as burglary, shoplifting, child abuse and rape.
I am determined to ensure that brilliant progress is sustained and we continue to take the fight to criminals in our communities.
A great deal of work from my office, together with my Deputy Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson, has gone into developing this Plan. We undertook a series of in-depth consultation events which included speaking to a number of key groups in Surrey such as victim and survivor groups, young people, professionals in crime reduction and safety, rural crime groups and representatives from Surrey’s business community.
In addition, nearly 3,000 residents of Surrey gave us their views on policing in the county and the priorities they would like to see our teams focus through our public survey.
This Plan is designed very much to work in tandem with the Chief Constable’s own direction for the Force which is undoubtedly already paying dividends for our communities.
But there are challenges ahead. Surrey Police need to find in excess of £18m in savings over the next four years whilst still maintaining the service you all expect and deserve. This means we must continue to provide the best value for money and continue to restore confidence in the police service which has been damaged by events elsewhere in the country.
It is great news Surrey Police are arresting more criminals, but delays in the criminal justice system mean victims are waiting longer for those cases to come to court.
The need to support them through that process has never been more acute and something my office is looking very carefully at through our funding streams.
The nature of crime is ever evolving and many issues such as domestic abuse, fraud and abuse perpetrated online, happen out of sight and behind closed doors.
Whilst advances in technology such as AI open up potential opportunities for policing – they also open up opportunities for criminals to exploit and this is something our police teams must keep pace with.
Balancing these demands is the challenge our police leaders face but I am confident that the Chief Constable, his senior team and the amazing officers, staff and volunteers in Surrey Police are up to the task.
I’ve seen first-hand the hard work and dedication they show day in, day out to keep our county safe and they deserve the continued thanks of us all for the job they do.
Surrey continues to be a fantastic place to live and work and I am committed working with the Chief Constable to deliver on the priorities in this Plan and ensure we have a policing service we can continue to be proud of.
Lisa Townsend,
Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey