“Thank you all for taking the time to raise your concerns on behalf of many of the residents of Hersham.
As you may be aware, in November last year we announced a change to the way we structure local policing under the banner Policing in Your Neighbourhood. The catalyst for this was the need to respond to changing patterns of crime and requests for our services, and the impact of technology changes, all within a reduced budget.
A summary of some of the challenges facing Surrey Police is as follows:
Crime is changing – In the past three years there has been significant increases in reports of rape (153%), sexual offences (122%) and domestic violence (34%). In the same time period reports of house burglaries have fallen by 24% and reports of theft from cars are down 32%.
Changes in technology – Use of the internet to commit and facilitate crime is increasing, but technology also provides an opportunity for Surrey Police to deliver services differently.
Austerity – Surrey Police has worked hard to save almost £26 million in the last four years, but faces a requirement to save a further £25m over the next four years.
It is imperative that we respond to these new challenges whilst remaining committed to maintaining much valued local policing, with services delivered and accountable locally.
In Elmbridge, under the new model (which goes live on 3 April) you will still have a dedicated Safer Neighbourhood Team of 2 Sergeants, 2 Police Constables and 11 Police Community Support Officers (PCSO). Each neighbourhood area within Elmbridge will have a dedicated ‘face of the ward’ in the form of a named PCSO whose responsibility will be to focus upon the repeat and chronic issues which we know are of great concern to the community. This focus will significantly increase the presence of police within the borough as well as local knowledge and ownership of issues.
As you are aware, for Hersham this means that PC Neil Bourn will no longer be your local Police Officer after many years of dedicated work. When the new policing model begins, PC Chris Smith will have responsibility for East Elmbridge, with PCSO Vicky Holdaway continuing as the dedicated PCSO for Hersham and will be available to meet with you to discuss any local crime and disorder concerns you may have.
Furthermore, Elmbridge Borough will also have a dedicated borough-based Area Policing Team of 70 PC’s and 9 Sgt’s operating on a 24/7 basis, all supported by a larger and more specialist investigative team focused on protecting the vulnerable.
Full details of the new local policing model can be found here: http://www.surrey.police.uk/My-Neighbourhood
Please let me reassure you that Surrey Police remain dedicated to ensuring your area is safe and crime is reduced. Whilst I do appreciate your concerns, and welcome the kind words of praise for PC Bourn, we want to make sure that we are providing you the best possible service to meet the changing face of crime and this requires us to change. These changes will ensure we can commit to ensuring you continue to have a named and visible local contact as well as allowing us to respond to the new challenges local areas are experiencing.
I’m proud that we have many great officers, PCSOs and staff and I’m convinced that this new model will ensure that we provide you a great service and keep you safe. I do hope that you can understand why we need to make these changes and you will support the officers, PCSOs and staff who will be working with you.
With kind regards,
Nick Ephgrave
T/Chief Constable
”
