Photo: Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Ellie Vesey-Thompson, with Elmbridge Borough Commander, Inspector Bert Dean.
Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey, Ellie Vesey-Thompson, recently joined residents at a community meeting in Long Ditton, which focussed on crime and policing in the area.
The meeting was chaired by Frank Renton, Chairman of the Long Ditton Residents Association. It was also attended by Elmbridge Borough Commander, Inspector Bert Dean and local Neighbourhood Specialist Officer, PC Sanjar Najibi.
Residents raised serious concerns about parking outside the hockey club on match days. Whilst this is a matter for the council and hockey club to resolve, rather than the police, Inspector Dean promised to raise the matter with the council to try and establish a long-term solution.
Questions were also asked about catalytic converter thefts, which the Deputy Commissioner reassured residents have recently reduced. This follows successful operations by Surrey Police to combat this crime, one of which received a national award for problem solving. Residents are urged to remain vigilant to the signs of catalytic converter thefts in progress and to always report this via 999.
Anti-social behaviour (ASB) and a perceived lack of patrols was also of concern to residents, alongside suspected drug dealing. Inspector Dean encouraged residents to always report incidents of ASB (and other crimes or suspicious activity) as recent reports to police show that this issue is decreasing. He also explained that he is currently working hard to recruit a new Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) for the area, who will assist with patrols and community reassurance.
Other topics raised included burglaries, criminal damage to moving vehicles in the A309 area, and fly tipping. The Deputy Commissioner also shared new Office for National Statistics (ONS) data with the audience, which shows Surrey as the 4th safest county in the country, the safest in the South East region and the safest of all forces that share a border with the Metropolitan Police area.
Speaking after the meeting, Ellie said “I was pleased to join residents in Long Ditton to hear about their policing and community safety concerns. The topics raised were broad, and I hope the evening helped answer many residents’ questions.
“I really appreciate frustrations around ASB, which can have a significant impact on daily lives, and am pleased that the government is looking at this seriously, with new legislation expected. This should really help the police’s ability to tackle the issue in local communities.
“I echo what both myself and Inspector Dean said in the meeting, encouraging residents to always report crimes, anti-social behaviour or suspicious activity to help the local team build a picture and pattern of issues to support their resourcing decisions and patrol activity.”
Share your thoughts on anti-social behaviour in your community by completing the Commissioner and ASB Help’s survey here.
You can find out about upcoming community meetings here.
