Guildford Town

Retail Crime is a National Priority, and has a significant impact on businesses, consumers and retail staff. Surrey Police is working closely with affected businesses to ensure that staff feel supported, recognising that they can often be subjected to abuse and violence. Officers are also working with neighbouring boroughs and partner agencies to identify, investigate and pursue repeat offenders.

Our PCSOs have been holding regular engagement stands at identified retail crime hotspot locations to provide crime prevention advice and address concerns raised by businesses and members of the public regarding retail crime in Guildford Town Centre. Alongside this, officers have been conducting visible and plain clothed patrols in key locations to deter offending, provide reassurance to retail staff, and reduce the opportunity for retail crime to take place.

Reducing Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) is a National priority. Surrey Police is committed to making Guildford a safer place for women and girls, particularly in the Town Centre. Officers carry out high-visibility patrols and engagement activity in key locations to provide reassurance

Our team has increased patrols in Guildford Town Centre during identified peak times when VAWG-related offences are more likely to occur, providing a visible and reassuring presence within the night-time economy. Foot patrols have been increased on Friday and Saturday evening, particularly between 9pm and 11pm. Officers continue to work closely with Street Angels and licensed premises to promote public safety, monitor levels of intoxication, and ensure compliance with licensing conditions. Dedicated operations have also been carried out to identify, disrupt and prevent offending.

Surrey Police has seen an increase in reports of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) particularly in Guildford Town Centre on Sunday afternoons, involving groups of young people.

Officers and PCSOs have been carrying out regular patrols in hotspot locations where reports of youth-related ASB have increased. PCSOs also held an engagement stand in Stoke Park to provide a visible presence, offer crime prevention advice, and address community concerns. Our new Youth Engagement Officers are working closely with partner agencies to provide youth crime prevention advice and our officers have increase patrols during peak times when youth-related ASB has been reported.