Surrey PCC launches 'back to basics' crime plan

Preventing violence against women and girls was named a key priority going forward (stock photo)

A new three-year plan to tackle crime in Surrey has been launched by the county's police and crime commissioner (PCC), Lisa Townsend.

It focuses on "back to basics" policing, preventing violence against women and girls, protecting Surrey's most vulnerable residents, and ensuring the accountability, integrity and wellbeing of the force's officers and staff.

Ms Townsend said there were challenges ahead, including making about £18m in savings, while criminal justice delays were putting additional pressure on victims' services.

Surrey Police said the PCC's priorities aligned with its own plan, which it said had "already seen significant progression since being introduced in 2023".

The PCC's Police and Crime Plan sets out the priorities for Surrey Police during the rest of Ms Townsend's current term of office, which ends in 2028.

It follows a consultation period involving nearly 3,000 residents, as well as community groups, businesses, partners and victim services.

The commissioner said: "My mission as your police and crime commissioner is clear.

"I want Surrey Police to focus on tackling those crimes that blight our local communities, while also taking persistent offenders off our streets.

"I promised that we would return to a 'back to basics' approach to policing, and this pledge forms the cornerstone of my Police and Crime Plan.

"Fighting crime, getting tough on offenders, and protecting Surrey's most vulnerable residents must be at the heart of the force's priorities in the coming years."

'Joint commitment'

She said she had "heard loud and clear" what the needs were from communities across Surrey.

"Surrey Police is one of the fastest-improving forces in the country, with 3,500 additional charges across all crime types in 12 months, as well as 2,500 more arrests," she said, adding that charges for crimes that were particularly important to residents, such as child abuse, burglary and retail crime, had dramatically improved.

She said it was "crucial that this fantastic progress is sustained so we can continue taking the fight to criminals who seek to gain a foothold in our communities".

Surrey Police said: "The priorities align with Our Plan which has already seen significant progression since being introduced in 2023.

"Both the PCC and Surrey Police Chief Constable Tim De Meyer continue a joint commitment to reduce violence against women and girls, with the care of witnesses and victim-survivors at the heart of our investigations.

"In the last 12 months, we have charged double the number of offenders than in the previous year - that is 3,500 more people brought to justice for crimes such as rape, fraud and burglary, than was previously the case."