Safer Neighbourhood Policing Teams - My Neighbourhood - Surrey Police

Safer Neighbourhood Teams – the bigger picture

Surrey has three policing divisions – North, East and West – each headed by a Chief Superintendent and supported by a Neighbourhood Superintendent. These officers organise and deliver the overall local policing policy and report back to the Force’s Chief Officer Group, led by the Chief Constable.

The three divisions are further divided by the county’s 11 boroughs which between them are home to our 106 Safer Neighbourhood Teams. Each borough is led by a Neighbourhood Inspector responsible for co-ordinating the work of the teams.

This structure ensures that every Safer Neighbourhood Team has the full backing of Surrey Police and its resources. Therefore, while a local team generally takes care of the majority of its neighbourhood issues it can, if necessary, call for support from any of the Force’s specialised response or operational units – that’s everything from calling out police dogs, to assistance from the Surrey Police helicopter.

Safer Neighbourhood Team

Neighbourhood Specialist Officer (NSO)

Dedicated to a particular area, an NSO is a police constable with full powers. They have detailed local knowledge which helps them to target local offenders and deal with any quality of life issues affecting members of the community. They also seek public feedback on local issues via regular Panels and other meetings and act to tackle the priorities identified at those meetings.

The NSO forges and maintains links with residents, retailers, businesses and partner agencies including youth and social services, local authorities, housing associations and the Fire and Rescue Service. They do not routinely perform tasks elsewhere in the Surrey Police jurisdiction (other than in exceptional circumstances) but remain devoted to their given neighbourhood duties and are regularly seen out on the beat.

Police Community Support Officers (PCSO)

PCSOs are police staff members who spend the majority of their time engaging with the public in a designated neighbourhood area. Using long term problem solving approaches they work with local people and partners to tackle those issues that most matter to the community.

To assist them in this role, PCSOs have some policing powers which allow them, among other things, to issue fixed penalty notices for cycling offences; confiscate alcohol in designated places and from underage drinkers or those supplying them; confiscate tobacco from under-16s; remove abandoned cars; and seize vehicles driven dangerously or anti-socially.

Since their introduction into day-to-day policing in 2003, these officers have contributed greatly to community safety in Surrey and are a fundamental part of our policing family.

Neighbourhood Sergeant

This officer manages an area’s network of Safer Neighbourhood Teams and agrees strategies for dealing with local priority issues. The Neighbourhood Sergeant also liaises with Surrey Police’s many partner agencies in the vital work involved keeping the county safe.

Supporting the Safer Neighbourhood Team

Community Safety Sergeant (CSS)

A Community Safety Sergeant is in overall charge of the local Community Safety Team and works closely with other agencies dealing with more chronic and complex crime and anti-social behaviour issues. This role also involves steering young people away from potential crime activity using a combination of enforcement and diversionary activities.

Licensing Officer

A member of the Community Safety Team, our Licensing Officers deals with liquor licensing matters in conjunction with their Borough Council counterparts.

Casualty Reduction Officer (CRO)

Each of Surrey’s 11 boroughs has a dedicated CRO who focuses on local traffic issues. In partnership with the County Council and the Fire and Rescue Service these officers deliver road safety advice to the public, oversee the Community SpeedWatch scheme and carry out regular traffic enforcement.

Crime Reduction Advisor (CRA)

These advisors work in conjunction with other Community Safety Team members to find the most effective solutions to local crime issues and trends. They also provide vital crime prevention advice to the public.

Youth Intervention Officer (YIO) & Youth Police Community Support Officers (YPCSO)

Each borough has a Youth Intervention Team consisting of a police officer and a PCSO. The team engages with young people in schools and the wider community. They provide advice and guidance (e.g. personal safety) and develop a variety of diversionary activities to prevent potential crime and disorder and anti-social behaviour.