I am committed to ensuring that all residents feel secure and supported in their local areas.
A safe and resilient community is one where people feel empowered to play an active role in shaping their environment and where trust between the public and the police is strong.
My consultation has made it clear that many residents are concerned about the impact of crime and disorder, such as anti-social behaviour, drug-related harm, and shoplifting offences, on their quality of life and environment.
To address these challenges, we will take a collaborative approach, bringing together police, partners, and the community to find effective, lasting solutions.
This ambition goes beyond simply responding to incidents; it is about creating the conditions for communities to thrive, where people feel listened to, supported, and confident that issues will be tackled.
By fostering strong partnerships, focusing on prevention, and building trust, we can ensure that Surrey’s neighbourhoods remain places where everyone feels safe and valued.
To give communities a visible police presence:
Surrey Police will…
- Support the expansion of the principles behind the ‘Positive Futures’ project, building on its success in Spelthorne and Woking, to further engage young people in crime prevention and community safety. Continue fostering trust between the police and youth by empowering young people to identify local issues and develop actionable solutions for their communities.
- Focus on preventative measures to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour by prioritising early intervention with at-risk individuals and implementing targeted strategies to address issues such as drug-related harm and shoplifting.
- Work closely with residents to understand their concerns, provide reassurance, and involve them in problem-solving processes. Encourage active participation from the community in crime prevention and neighbourhood safety initiatives.
- Use data and intelligence to better understand crime trends, identify priority areas, and ensure resources are deployed efficiently. Ensure this information is shared with community leaders and partners to maintain transparency and accountability.
- Establish a clear communication framework between the police and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), ensuring officers are aware of BID representatives and contact points in their area.
My office will…
- Lead the establishment of the new Community Safety and Prevention Board, ensuring a consistent governance structure during the upcoming local government reorganisation. This structure will strengthen connections between strategic planning and local delivery, fostering effective coordination and accountability at all levels.
- Develop a shared directory that maps local services and their areas of expertise, enabling police officers and service providers to easily access and understand available community resources, ensuring referrals are directed appropriately and efficiently.
- Work to address key criminogenic factors through commissioning activity to prevent and reduce offending behaviour, exploring opportunities with probation to enhance collaboration and service delivery. Focus on expanding the availability of “through the gate” services to provide continuous support for individuals transitioning from prison back into the community.
- Build on research with the Department for Transport to strengthen the PCC’s scrutiny of road safety, addressing gaps and improving accountability for local road safety initiatives.
Together we will…
- Support the ongoing implementation of the Clear, Hold, Build framework, focusing on police-led enforcement, targeted interventions, and community empowerment. Ensure the approach remains adaptable to the evolving needs of the area, fostering long-term safety and stability.
- We will continue to develop and expand the Safer Community Programme to support Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) lessons on community safety and healthier living in schools while broadening its reach beyond the classroom.
- Work with partners to continue to support the delivery of Surrey’s 2024-2035 ‘Vision Zero’ Road Safety Strategy to reduce and then eliminate deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
