Local News

Runnymede Safer Neighbourhood Officers joined Churches together in Egham for breakfast whilst discussing local matters.

Two men have been jailed after pleading guilty to burglary offences in which they targeted homes in the early hours, entering through front doors to steal car keys and make off with vehicles. On Sunday, 27 August 2023, at around 3.30am, police were called after a BMW was found crashed in undergrowth off Young Street in Leatherhead. The vehicle had been stolen just ten minutes earlier from an address in Bookham. The owner was able to track the vehicle’s movements using a mobile phone application linked to the car’s telematics system. The keys had been taken from inside the property, along with the victim’s handbag, during the burglary. At the same time, a second victim contacted police to report that their Audi A1 had been stolen after suspects entered their home via the front door and took the car keys. Officers carried out enquiries in the area, and using ANPR technology, located the stolen Audi travelling in the nearby area heading towards Givons Grove. When officers attempted to engage, the vehicle made off at speed onto the A24 Leatherhead Bypass towards the Beaverbrook roundabout. The vehicle continued towards Junction 9 of the M25, where a Roads Policing Unit picked up the Audi and a pursuit was authorised. The vehicle exited onto Kingston Road, where it came to a stop and the occupants decamped and made off on foot. A short time later, officers arrested Knight as he walked along the pavement near a petrol station. A Dog Unit was deployed to search the area and quickly located the second suspect, Francis, who was found hiding behind pallets in an industrial yard. A black balaclava was also recovered from nearby bushes, and Francis was found to be in possession of black gloves. Both men were arrested on suspicion of burglary, failing to stop and dangerous driving. Appearing at Guildford Crown Court on Tuesday, 17 March, both men pleaded guilty and were sentenced as follows:  

- George Knight, 33 (DOB 22/06/1992), of Bexley was sentenced to 37 months in prison for conspiracy to commit a burglary dwelling with intent to steal.  

- Matthew Francis, 33 (DOB 22/11/1992), of London received the same sentence of 37 months in prison. Both men were ordered to pay £228 in costs. 

Investigating officer PC Scruby said: 

“This was a targeted series of burglaries carried out in the early hours, with offenders entering homes while victims were asleep to steal car keys and vehicles. 

“Thanks to a combination of swift reporting, vehicle tracking technology and coordinated police work, including the use of ANPR and our dog unit, we were able to quickly locate the suspects and bring them into custody. 

“Burglary is an invasive crime which can have a lasting impact on victims and communities, and we hope this result provides some reassurance that we will act quickly and robustly to investigate and arrest offenders.”  

We would encourage residents to ensure doors and windows are secure and to keep keys, including car keys, out of sight and away from entry points. Simple steps like these can help reduce the risk of opportunistic burglary.

A prolific shoplifter who stole thousands of pounds worth of skincare products from stores across Surrey and London has been jailed. Alfie Ronaldson, 22 (DOB:28/10/2003), from New Malden, also known as 'the Olay thief', was sentenced on Wednesday, 11 March, at Kingston-Upon-Thames Crown Court to two and half years imprisonment. He was also banned from all Boots, Superdrug, and Iceland stores in the UK for ten years, after previously pleading guilty to more than 50 offences. Between April 2024 and June 2025, Ronaldson entered retail stores across Hampshire, London, Surrey and Sussex, and stole more than £50,000 worth of face cream and skincare products. When challenged by staff, he would become aggressive and on one occasion assaulted a member of staff by punching them in the face. Following a joint investigation by Surrey Police and the Metropolitan Police, he pleaded guilty to 52 counts of theft and four counts of assault by beating.

More than £12,000 of seized criminal funds is to be funnelled back into policing, as part of a sentence for a drug dealer caught in Epsom. Jordan Griffith, 30 (DOB: 01/07/1995), of Waleton Acres Carew Road, Sutton, was sentenced at Guildford Magistrates Court on 11 March to 14 months behind bars. Under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), he will forfeit £12,380 of illegal funds as well as paying £156 in fines.

A 43-year-old man has been sent to prison and given a 10 year Restraining Order after pleading guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour (CCB). Benjamin Carlin, 43 (DOB: 13/07/1982), of Stockport was sentenced to two years and one month when he appeared at Croydon Crown Court on Wednesday, 17 March. Carlin’s behaviour came to light when Surrey Police met with a woman in August 2025 to provide a disclosure under the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, otherwise known as Clare’s Law. The woman raised concerns about her relationship with Carlin, detailing coercive and controlling behaviour that made her feel trapped and afraid to end the relationship. The victim said that if she didn’t respond to his calls at all times of the day, she would receive a barrage of abuse. The victim also said that Carlin routinely made threats to kill her, as well as members of her family, throughout their relationship. He also threatened to kill himself if she ended their relationship. On 13 August 2025, the victim told police that Carlin was becoming increasingly controlling. He told her that she was not giving him enough attention and threatened to travel down to Surrey and strangle her. While she was speaking to police, the victim received over 10 calls from Carlin, with him demanding that she proved where she was, and accusing her of lying. Due to the escalation of his behaviour, officers asked colleagues from West Midlands Police to arrest Carlin, which is where he was believed to be. He was arrested on suspicion of coercive and controlling behaviour, and subsequently charged and remanded, pleading guilty on the first day he was due to stand trial.

The victim has since been in touch to thank the Surrey Police Domestic Abuse Team for their support through the case, and shared:

"The sad fact is, if the Clare's Law hadn’t been done, I would probably still be with Ben whilst lying to myself that there would have been a safe time to leave – when really there was never going to be a safe time.

"I can honestly say I’ve never felt more proud of myself for making a stand on what I knew was the right thing to do. I did it for me, every other woman that has been in a similar position, and for the unfortunate woman who died but made Clare's Law possible for the rest of us.

"With Surrey Police's intervention and help I believe I have my life back and cannot thank you enough."

Investigating Officer Charlotte Barrett, from Surrey Police's Domestic Abuse Team, said:

"I want to acknowledge the incredible strength and bravery of the victim for supporting police action from the start. I recognise it is certainly not an easy thing to do, and I want to thank her personally, for trusting us through this process. 

“Coercive and controlling behaviour is used to exert power and control over another person’s life, often involving tactics such as monitoring daily activities and intimidation.

"This case came to light after the victim completed a Clare’s Law domestic abuse disclosure. I cannot stress enough the value of this scheme and the importance of making a referral to us if you concerned about the behaviour of someone you are in a relationship with. You can also make an application on behalf of a friend or family member if you believe they may be at risk of domestic abuse. 

“Finding out about any previous offending from that person may give the information needed to keep themselves safe. 

“If you report domestic abuse to us, you will be listened to and supported."

Surrey Appropriate Adult Volunteer Service (SAAVS) provides support to Vulnerable Adults and Children who find themselves detained in police custody. They provide a 24/7 support service 365 days per year to children between the ages of 10 and 17 and vulnerable adults detained in police custody. The role of the Appropriate Adult (AA) is not to provide legal advice, but to offer impartial support and be a friendly face to someone who may need support in an unfamiliar situation. SAAVS are keen to recruit more volunteers to this valuable and rewarding role. Please visit their website https://saavs.org/  where you can find further information about SAAVS and a no-obligation registration form.