3 minute read
Policing Surrey
SURREY POLICE POLICING SURREY
By Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend
I am sure many of you will have been as gripped as I was over the last month by the progression of the England football team all the way to the fi nal Euro 2020 tournament where they came oh so close to glory.
After a bleak last 18 months it lifted morale for many of us and I hope provided a much needed boost to our local businesses in Surrey, particularly in the hospitality industry.
However, it was sad to see the achievements of the team overshadowed by some of the scenes I’m sure you will have seen from Wembley and elsewhere, and of course the vile racial abuse received online by some of the players. Here in Surrey, the majority of the county enjoyed watching the football safely but there were some pockets of trouble that our offi cers had to deal with, including a particularly nasty assault in Epsom.
The extra demand placed on policing during big events should not be underestimated. Our police teams prepare in advance for any potential criminal activity and work closely with our local partners, including borough councils and other emergency services, as well as local public houses and bars, to ensure everyone’s safety.
But it is not just the potential for public disorder that can be a focus, other crime types such as domestic abuse and drinkdriving are also likely to increase during a major football tournament.
And of course, this time around it was played out against a backdrop of increasing Covid-19 rates which has put a further strain on police resources as positive cases and isolation requirements continue to affect the absence rate for offi cers and staff.
As a society, we cannot allow Covid to continue holding us prisoner, and I know that many, particularly in the business community, have felt that their lives have been on hold for much of the last 18 months.
But, while I welcome the easing of restrictions we have seen since July 19th, there has to be a note of caution too. At the time of writing, infection rates continue to rise both locally and nationally, and that trend is expected to continue over the summer.
We’ve seen an amazing determination over the last 16 months to keep Surrey’s communities safe, so it is so important we embrace the new normal with common sense, regular testing and respect for those around us.
In some settings, there may be continued measures in place to protect us all, and I know that restrictions will currently remain in place in the Surrey Police workplace. I would ask residents to show patience as we all adjust to what the next few months will mean for our lives.
As we enjoy new freedoms, Surrey Police will continue to be there visibly and behind the scenes to protect the public, support victims and bring perpetrators to justice.
Our offi cers and staff have played a central role in protecting our communities throughout the events of the last year. I want to stress my gratitude on behalf of all residents for their determination, and for the sacrifi ces that they have made and will continue to make going forward.
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