An investigation is underway following a report of a rape near Chertsey Bridge between 6.45 and 7.30pm on Saturday night (8 March). A number of enquiries have already been carried out, including obtaining CCTV footage from nearby business premises and speaking to people living nearby. A cordon was put in place but is due to be lifted shortly. We appreciate the concern that this incident will cause within the local community, and we would like to reassure you that we are working at pace to establish the circumstances of what has taken place. Anyone with any information is asked to contact us at Contact us | Surrey Police quoting reference 45250027885.

We have recently received three reports of wild animals and birds being injured by catapults in the local area. It is an offence under the Wildlife & Countryside Act to kill any wild animals and birds without a specific licence. As with all wild animals and birds, any circumstances where they can be lawfully killed is strictly regulated. Borough Commander Inspector Ian Nash said: “Safety in our neighbourhoods is our top priority, and I would like to reassure residents that our local team is monitoring the situation closely. We have recently seized a catapult from a 13-year-old following a report made by a member of the public. We will continue to investigate any lines of enquiry following reports of this type of offence." If you would like to report a crime, you can do so via our online reporting form - Report | Surrey Police  If you witness a crime taking place, call 999 at the time.

So many of the burglary reports we receive state the thieves got in through rear windows or doors. Lock away ladders and secure screwdrivers: keep tools out of sight and reach of would-be thieves. Keep your keys locked down: don’t leave house or car keys in view of windows or doors. If a burglar can see it, they can reach it. Consider signal blocking pouches or boxes for keyless entry fobs. Sound the alarm: If you have a burglar alarm, make sure it covers every floor in your home and any sheds or outbuildings.

Problem Solving Tactical Advisor Toma Bennett initially joined Surrey Police in 2020 as a Criminal Justice caseworker, and moved to the problem solving team in April 2023. Toma has said their primary role is to provide advice, support and feedback to police officers across the Force, who are conducting problem solving plans or related work. His day-to-day activity consists of monitoring and reviewing problem solving occurrences and providing support where needed, usually having one-to-one discussions online and in person. He often attends operational meetings to advise and answer any problem solving queries and give examples of past responses which have generated good results. He also works alongside the Safer Neighbourhood Teams, Borough Commanders, other departments here at Surrey Police and with partners such as the county council, to ensure they understand how tactical problem solving can better influence their wider plan.

We're strengthening the feedback process to enhance accountability, learning, and continuous improvement in stop and search and use of force. Our External Scrutiny Panel introduced a Body Worn Video (BWV) review form to document their findings when reviewing BWV footage of stop and search and use of force encounters. The panel assesses compliance with legislation and key aspects such as communication, reassurance, safeguarding, professionalism, and justification for the use of powers. Each review includes a red, amber, or green (RAG) rating, highlights positive performance, and identifies areas for development. Officers then receive this feedback for reflection. To strengthen internal oversight and accountability, we’re enhancing our BWV audits and form reviews by:

• Tracking findings consistently to ensure compliance and best practice.

• Implementing a rolling audit to identify trends, recurring concerns, and areas of good practice.

• Introducing staged interventions to escalate concerns when feedback isn’t leading to improvement.

What we’re monitoring:

• Are search grounds legally justified?

• Is officer communication professional and reassuring?

• Is BWV being used correctly to provide transparency?

• How are Section 60 and strip searches being applied?

• Are safeguarding measures for young people being followed?

This refined internal feedback loop ensures that audits aren’t just a one-off check but part of an ongoing process to drive learning, accountability, and public trust.