Letter to the Police and Crime Commissioner: PEEL Inspection Findings and Police Performance

Please see the full letter below.

Six Surrey MPs, including the MP for Surrey Heath, have written jointly to Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, following the latest HMICFRS PEEL inspection of Surrey Police. The letter welcomes signs of progress, but stresses that serious concerns remain in areas central to public confidence, including leadership, crime investigations and safeguarding vulnerable people.

While the inspection notes improvements in call handling, some retail crime outcomes and aspects of work on violence against women and girls, it still rates leadership and investigating crime as “Requires Improvement”, with safeguarding assessed as “Adequate”. The MPs are seeking clear accountability and a transparent plan to drive sustained improvement, particularly for victims and those at risk.

The Surrey MPs are calling for:

• Clear action being required of the Chief Constable, with defined timescales for delivery
• A public improvement plan with measurable milestones and regular updates to residents
• An explanation of why investigative performance is still lagging, including how Surrey’s charge and outcome rates compare nationally
• Stronger assurance that victims are kept informed and properly supported throughout the process
• A clear account of what is blocking faster progress on safeguarding children and adults at risk, and how this will be addressed
• Evidence that partnership working with local authorities and health services is effective, especially in complex cases
• Assurance of consistent, high-quality responses to domestic abuse, sexual violence and mental health incidents, supported by appropriate specialist and trauma-informed training

Please see the full letter below.