Not one but two prestigious awards scooped for Surrey Police at this year's Tilley Awards

Not one but two prestigious awards scooped for Surrey Police at this year's Tilley Awards

Back in July, Surrey Police was shortlisted as category finalists in this year’s Tilley Awards. On Monday, 5 September we were delighted to be informed that we have won in two categories – ‘Neighbourhoods’ and ‘Business Support and Volunteers’ following two community led policing projects that launched to reduce crime rates in our local communities.

The work of these projects was supported by Surrey Police’s Problem-Solving team, which since the team’s formation two years ago, has made great strides in supporting Surrey Police colleagues to find solutions that help to prevent and reduce crime.

The project that secured the win in the ‘Neighbourhoods’ category, tackled the rise in catalytic converter thefts in and around Surrey. During 2021, we were noticing an increase in brazen thieves who were often stealing catalytic converters in broad daylight by jacking up a vehicle and cutting off the catalytic converter in a matter of minutes. This caused significant impact to owners who were left without a mode of transport and in some cases serious violence has been used or threatened.

After initial enquiries, it was noticed that there was a lack of public awareness around the topic of catalytic converters and as a result, launched a project within Surrey to educate communities with the view to increase report rates.

Using social media, videos, signs, flyers, interviews, presentations and an ad-van campaign to spread awareness has resulted in a 135% increase in reports, giving us the information we needed to make 13 arrests and in turn, note a 63.92% reduction in thefts in the three months following. These results are believed to be of direct consequence of the people who recognised and reported catalytic converter theft.

Speaking on behalf of the team, T/DCI Kate Hyder said: “This project was a joint operation between Surrey’s Serious Organised Crime Unit and our newly formed Problem-Solving Team. We worked alongside neighbourhood teams and partner agencies, using a problem-solving approach to tackle crime.”

“Catalytic converter thefts have a huge impact on the public as it can leave those affected without a mode of transport, so I am incredibly proud of the work the team have dedicated to this project to help prevent crime of a similar nature. Overall, since the beginning of the project up to today, we have now seen a 71% reduction in thefts. This is an outstanding result that we hope continues.”

The project that secured victory within the ‘Business Support and Volunteers’ category, focused on the Basingstoke Canal in Woking.

Since 2019, this stretch of canal had several reports of indecent exposure and suspicious incidents, particularly against women and girls. Several geographical issues were helping to facilitate the offences, including overgrown shrubbery which isolated some areas of the path and a lack of CCTV which meant investigating the offences was difficult.

In response to these findings, Woking’s Safer Neighbourhood team worked with the local community to mitigate these issues and make the area safer for members of the public. The overgrown shrubbery was cut down, CCTV cameras were installed, graffiti was removed, new signs were installed to encourage early reporting and an investment of electronic bikes were put in the area for officers and members of the canal watch to use, to patrol the path quickly and efficiently.

The canal watch involved using volunteers who became guardians of the Canal reporting issues and concerns to the appropriate agency. The work of these volunteers has been exceptional and shows the commitment from members of the public to help keep Woking a safe neighbourhood.

Speaking on behalf of the team, PS Ed Lyons said: “The Woking Neighbourhood team are really proud of the work around the Basingstoke Canal that has been completed over the last two years. A multi-agency problem solving approach was completed after a series of sexual assaults on the Basingstoke Canal in Woking. After an extensive analysis of the problem, a series of responses were implemented to look at a long-term solution.”

“The work completed has led to a lasting change and we are immensely proud in receiving a prestigious Tilley award.”

These projects were launched as a direct consequence of community engagement and allowed officers to build relationships and reassurance within local communities. Areas of crime have been addressed to make the public feel safer and heard.

In October 2022, the winners of all five categories within the Tilley Awards will present their project at the National Problem-Solving Conference to a panel of judges, who will then decide the overall winner. The overall winner will then be put forward for an international award.

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Alison Barlow added: “When we launched Our Commitments in 2020, we promised that “through trusted relationships, we will solve the problems that cause people most harm and be judged on our outcomes” so I am delighted that we have been announced as winners for two categories in this year’s national Tilley Awards. This is a huge achievement for our force, and a reflection of the hard work and dedication to all those involved in both projects who have kept the public safe through innovative problem solving in partnership with others. I am keeping everything crossed for October when the overall winner is announced at the National Problem-Solving Conference.”

If you see any suspicious activity in your area, please contact us on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 in an emergency. Reporting this information can help to support operations, similar to this one, and result in the reduction and prevention of crime in your local area.