Police activity results in 93 charges as part of collaborative action in Redhill

One year on, a targeted, partnership approach to improving safety in Redhill has secured strong results, which are reducing crime, increasing community confidence and taking offenders off the streets.

Safer Redhill is an initiative designed to bring partners together to reduce criminal activity in the town and foster pride in Redhill. The group includes Surrey Police, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, YMCA, local businesses and community partners who are jointly tackling anti-social behaviour and crime.

The project adopts the College of Policing’s ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ framework, a three-stage approach where police ‘clear’ offenders from Redhill and work in tandem with interventions from partners to ensure it remains that way.

Following an initial period of community consultation and problem solving with partners to decide the most effective action, Surrey Police has conducted targeted activities over the past year to disrupt and deter criminals in Redhill.

From joint drugs operations at Redhill train station to plain clothed officers deployed at night to spot suspicious behaviour, a huge range of activity has had extensive results.

• 155 arrests for offences including assaults, burglary, drink driving, drug supply and shoplifting
• 93 charges, of which 81 were charged and remanded
• A combined prison time of 25 years for local offenders, with many more still to appear for trial
• Two Criminal Behaviour Orders issued for anti-social behaviour and 80 Community Resolutions issued for offences such as possession of a small quantity of drugs, low value and first time shoplifting offences and minor public order incidents
• Over £7,000 worth of fines, court costs and victim surcharges issued by the courts
• 86 drug seizures, including 10kg of suspected cocaine
• £89,000 cash recovered and weapons taken off the streets
• 15 vehicles seized and driving disqualification penalties issued that total 8.5 years.

Alongside enforcement activity, the local policing team has built strong relationships within the town, whether that’s engaging with students at colleges, Meet the Beat sessions or licensing visits with the council’s Joint Enforcement Team to support premises in Redhill. 

The targeted police activity sits alongside extensive efforts from partners, which is key to the momentum behind Safer Redhill. Our most recent partnership event held in January demonstrated a drive to keep working closely together to improve the area for residents and visitors.

Borough Commander Jon Vale said: “I’m incredibly proud of the efforts of all our partners to address crime in Redhill and help people feel safer in the town. It’s a team effort and I’m grateful to all the businesses, organisations and residents who are supporting this project to take pride in Redhill.”

When our communities look at the number of arrests and charges we’ve made over the past year, I want to reassure residents that it’s through the work we’ve been doing that we’re able to seek out and clear this crime from the town. Surrey remains one of the safest counties in the UK and our enforcement activities have had a strong impact in Redhill. Since we began our increased police activity, we’ve seen a significant decrease in crimes such as shoplifting, sexual assaults, serious attacks, robbery and anti-social behaviour.”

Safer Redhill aims to have a lasting impact and there is significant work going on to improve the area. Much of this work is supported by funding secured through the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. This includes £265k of Safer Streets funding and £58k from the Community Safety Fund. Local initiatives include solar lighting and a mural designed by young people in Memorial Park, detached youth work by the YMCA and women’s self defence classes by Redhill Boxing Club.

The latest addition to the town will be the installation of two bleed kits by the Safer Redhill partnership. They can be lifesaving in many situations, including road traffic accidents and physical attacks, and they have been installed next to defibrillators as part of the town’s provision to support people in medical emergencies.

Results from our regular neighbourhood survey indicate these changes are making a difference, showing an increase in our community’s trust and confidence in the police. Next week, we’ll be launching a bespoke survey for residents and visitors to Redhill to tell us what they think of the activity in the town and where they want us to focus our continued efforts.

Mahj Rabbani, Growing Health Together Redhill and partner involved in Safer Redhill, said: “There is definitely a huge improvement in Redhill, there is a stronger trust and connection between people. We have broken down lots of barriers where people feel safer to come out and reach out. People feel safer in reporting crime and this is the key. If we all come together and we actively report and unite as communities, we’re going to make a huge change in Redhill.”