Have Your Say on Policing

Published on: 10 Sep, 2024
Updated on: 12 Sep, 2024

Surrey residents will be given the chance to have their say on the crime and policing issues that affect their community when the annual series of public engagement events takes place this month.

Surrey Police’s Chief Constable, Tim De Meyer, and Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend will launch the Policing Your Community roadshow in Guildford on Monday, September 23.

Events will take place in all 11 boroughs in the county during the autumn and winter before a final meeting takes place online in January.

The Commissioner and the Chief Constable will be joined at each event by the Borough Commander responsible for local policing in that area.

Hundreds of people attended last year’s events to ask questions and learn more about the policing operations taking place in their communities.

The Commissioner (pictured) is also preparing to launch the public consultation for her Police and Crime Plan, which will help shape the future of policing in Surrey. The Plan will inform the priorities for Surrey Police over the next four years. Current priorities include making Surrey’s roads safer and tackling violence against women and girls.

The Policing Your Community events will give residents the opportunity to learn more about how police resources are being used both visibly – and behind the scenes – to boost the fight against crime in Surrey.

The in-person events will run from 6.30pm-8pm, while the online event will run between 6pm and 7.30pm. All are free to attend, but those who wish to join are encouraged to register their attendance by selecting the link below:

September 23 – Merrist Wood College, Worplesdon, Guildford

The virtual event will take place on January 13 and will be streamedlive on Facebook.

Lisa Townsend, who was re-elected by Surrey residents earlier this year, said: “I’m delighted to announce the return of the Policing Your Community events, which offer residents the opportunity to learn more about what our policing teams are doing to tackle crime where they live.

“Last year, hundreds of residents joined us to ask questions and discuss the issues that concern them most.

“Anti-social behaviour, police visibility and road safety were among the most frequent topics raised, and both the Force and my team are tackling your concerns.

“Listening to the views of local people is at the heart of my role, and strengthening the relationships between Surrey Police and residents is a key priority.

“The Force is now the biggest it has been in a generation, with more officers on the ground than ever before, and we want to continue to boost the service that residents receive.”

Chief Constable Tim De Meyer

Chief Constable Tim De Meyer said: “Surrey Police is determined to fight crime and protect people, to be there when we are needed and to earn public trust.

“These events enable me to listen to the people of Surrey and understand if we are achieving what we aim to do. It was a pleasure to meet so many people last year and learn about the concerns relating to crime and policing in their neighbourhoods.

“The feedback we received is reflected in the local policing plans which address the things that matter most in our communities.

“I am really looking forward to joining the Police & Crime Commissioner on these visits to listen and talk to people in the areas where they live and work.”

For more information, or to sign up to an event, visit: www.surrey.police.uk/police-forces/surrey-police/areas/au/about-us/in-the-community/