"Tide turns" on criminals in Ashford as police tackle drug dealing and shoplifting

Police are turning the tables on criminals in Ashford, Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner has said after attending a residents’ meeting in the town last weekend.

Lisa Townsend joined the brilliant local Safer Neighbourhood Team, led by Sergeant Théa Jackson-Sedgwick, on Saturday to speak to the Ashford Residents’ Association about local crime issues and the national policing picture.

Police have recorded a range of successes in the town.

🚓 Reported crime is down by nine per cent

🛒 The shoplifting detection rate has doubled

🚗 Vehicle crime has dropped by 34 per cent

👣 137 extra foot patrols have taken place in Church Road, one of Spelthorne’s ‘hotspot’ areas

❌ 10 warrants to tackle and disrupt drug dealers have taken place

🎃 The safest Halloween on record in Ashford took place in 2025

Lisa said: “It was a real pleasure to drop in on the meeting on Saturday to talk to residents and hear about some of the brilliant work the local team have been doing in Ashford.

“There is always more to do, but some of the recent results are making a huge difference to the local community.

“The tide is being turned on criminality and anti-social behaviour in the town.”