Operation targeting Surrey's most prolific offenders results in almost 600 arrests

An operation carried out by Surrey Police in March focusing on the relentless pursuit of the county’s highest harm and most prolific offenders has resulted in almost 600 arrests.

Operation Marshal took place over four weeks, with officers and staff across the Force coming together in a united effort to arrest these offenders, who pose some of the greatest risks to the public and to trust and confidence in policing.

The arrests included a prolific burglar, who was subsequently charged with eight counts of burglary and three counts of fraud relating to the use of stolen cards from these offences, as well as arrests for shoplifting, domestic abuse and other offences. 

The month of intense activity took place alongside delivering business as usual, with the support of our external partners, including the CPS, the courts and youth justice partners, also contributing towards the operation's success.

This work is set to continue, with robust processes in place to ensure that we proactively target our highest harm and most prolific offenders. 

Assistant Chief Constable Peter Gardner said: “Research suggests that a small cohort of the most prolific offenders commit the great majority of crime.

“By relentlessly targeting and apprehending these offenders through the activity carried out as part of Op Marshal, we have made a significant impact on crime across the county, as well as reducing the risks they pose to the public. This in turn has a huge impact on the Surrey public’s trust and confidence in us to do our job.

“More importantly, arresting these offenders has provided justice for the victims of the crimes these offenders have committed.”

ACC Gardner continued: “The success of the operation is testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of our staff and officers, who worked tirelessly to ensure that these offenders were apprehended. The operation’s success would also not have been possible without the support of our external partners to ensure that those who were arrested were dealt with in a timely and appropriately robust manner.    

"The success of this initiative will pay dividends in the long run and will have a huge impact on the public's trust and confidence in us to do our job."

ACC Gardner added: “It is important now that we do not lose this momentum. Continuing to build on the operation's success and apprehending our highest harm and priority offenders must remain one of our primary areas of focus. It is what we do and what the public expect us to do."