In the community

Have your say on local policing as our ‘Policing your Community’ events return for 2024/25

Following the positive feedback of the ‘Policing your Community’ events last year, we are once again running a series of public community engagement events across the county.

Featuring the Surrey Police’s Chief Constable, Tim De Meyer, or Deputy Chief Constable Nev Kemp, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Lisa Townsend, or Deputy PCC, Ellie Vesey-Thompson, as well as the local borough commander, these events will focus on how Surrey Police are policing your local community and provide you with an opportunity to raise any concerns or questions you may have.

There will be one evening event per borough, taking place between the end of September and early December, followed by an online event for all of Surrey in the new year.

Events are free to attend, however residents are urged to register their attendance by selecting the link for their local event below:

• Monday, 23 September – Guildford
• Monday, 7 October – Reigate & Banstead
• Monday, 14 October – Spelthorne
• Tuesday, 22 October – Mole Valley
• Tuesday, 29 October – Tandridge
• Monday, 4 November – Epsom & Ewell
• Monday, 11 November – Woking
• Monday, 18 November – Elmbridge
• Monday, 25 November – Runnymede
• Monday, 02 December – Surrey Heath
• Wednesday, 11 December – Waverley
• Monday, 13 January – Online Event

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said:

“I’m delighted to announce the return of the Policing Your Community events, which offer residents the opportunity to learn more about policing in their communities. Last year, hundreds of residents joined us to ask questions and discuss the issues that concern them most. Anti-social behaviour, police visibility and poor driving were among the most frequent topics raised, and both the Force and my team are tackling your concerns. Listening to the views of local people is at the heart of my role, and strengthening the relationships between Surrey Police and residents is a key priority. The Force is now the biggest it has been in a generation, with more officers on the ground than ever before, and we want to continue to boost the service that residents receive.”

Chief Constable Tim De Meyer said:

“Surrey Police is determined to fight crime and protect people, to be there when we are needed and to earn public trust. These events enable me to listen to the people of Surrey and understand if we are achieving what we aim to do. It was a pleasure to meet so many people last year and learn about the concerns relating to crime and policing in their neighbourhoods. The feedback we received is reflected in the local policing plans which address the things that matter most in our communities.  I am really looking forward to joining the Police & Crime Commissioner on these visits to listen and talk to people in the areas where they live and work.”

Take a look at our round up video for the 2023 event in Spelthorne below.

We are pleased to announce that the UK Police Memorial Trust has been chosen as the Chief’s Charity for this financial year.

The UK Police Memorial Trust has launched a national campaign (May 2017) to raise funds for a new memorial to be built at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

The Memorial will be inscribed with the names of more than 1,400 officers and staff who have died from injuries sustained while carrying out their lawful duties. The digital memorial will feature the names of officers and staff who have died in service and a living memorial fund will support the families of officers and staff killed on duty in the future.

In support of the trust, Chief Constable Nick Ephgrave said: 

Surrey Police began piloting the National Volunteer Police Cadet (VPC) scheme in Autumn 2016. Now we have six across the county located in the boroughs of Elmbridge, Epsom & Ewell, Guildford, Reigate & Banstead, Runnymede and Woking and are hopeful of expanding further still in the future.

Each of these units are led by a volunteer leadership team consisting of Police Officers, Police Staff, Special Constables and Police Support Volunteers who all give up their own time on top of their day roles to run the sessions.

The scheme is designed to provide a safe environment in which young people can learn as individuals, develop positive relationships with the police and actively support their community. We will help to prepare young people for their future by offering varied activities and opportunities to enhance their inter-personal skills and confidence. Cadets are also encouraged to work towards achieving qualifications through the scheme whilst gaining a sense of pride through supporting community policing.

National objectives for the scheme include Cadets that represent the diversity of their community, an aim to recruit 25% from a vulnerable or disadvantaged background, and offering a diversionary opportunity to those who are most in need of it.

Who is it for?

Our scheme is open to anyone aged 13-18 and living in Surrey and it is currently free of charge.

How does it work?

Cadets attend a two-hour evening session each week which will include inputs, drill, sport activities, team-building and talks from guest speakers, both internally and externally.

They will also assist policing teams and will be expected to volunteer an average of three hours per month working in their communities on crime prevention and social action projects

Units run throughout the academic school year with some planned events during the holidays and at weekends. The VPC national syllabus covers topics such as law, community, communication and police procedures. Cadets will progress through a workbook, developing from the induction (recruit) phase through different levels.

As the Cadets become more senior within their unit, they are encouraged to take additional personal responsibility in a number of areas such as mentoring new Cadets joining the scheme and developing their own ideas for Cadet deployments into the community. 

How can I get involved?

If you would like any further information about joining, have any questions or you think Surrey Police Cadets may be able to support at an event you are planning, please email: [email protected]

Visit vpc.police.uk to find out more about the Volunteer Police Cadet Scheme if you are interested in being a cadet or a leader.

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