Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, and Member of Parliament for Guildford, Angela Richardson, have been working together to help keep Guildford residents safe and tackle violence against women and girls across the borough.
Ensuring that residents both are safe and feel safe, is a goal that Lisa and Angela share, and they have been committed to delivering this since Lisa was first elected three years ago.
Reflecting on what they have delivered so far, Lisa and Angela recently caught up to discuss some of the projects taking place across Guildford. This includes a number of measures, from improved CCTV and lighting to extra patrols, that are being delivered thanks to nearly £1million of funding that Lisa secured from the Home Office’s Safer Street’s fund.
Lisa also shared some of the proactive work being done by Surrey Police around the night-time economy, and proactive approaches to identifying perpetrators and safeguarding those enjoying a night out.
Both acknowledge the work still to be done, and Angela expressed her disappointment in Guildford Borough Council’s failure to apply for Purple Flag status this year. She explained that Guildford has been proud to be a Purple Flag town – a status awarded to acknowledge excellent standards in management and safety of the night time economy within a town - for a number of years, particularly as a university town.
Angela also spoke about the decision taken to close public toilets across the town, which she explained leaves women without a safe single sex space to go to the toilet on a night out.
Speaking recently about their work together, Lisa said “It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with Angela to improve safety of all residents, and particularly women and girls across the Guildford Borough.
“Angela shares my strong commitment to ensuring all residents both are safe in real terms, and also feel safe, which can often be two quite different things.
“I am pleased that the projects we are already delivering have had such great benefits for the town and wider area, and I know from speaking with residents that the many new officers that have recently been recruited are starting to make a real difference on the streets and in our communities.
“Surrey Police has more officers than ever before, and it’s brilliant to know that this is making a difference and improving residents’ feelings of safety.
“I look forward to continuing to work with Angela to make further improvements across the Guildford borough, and we both know there is more to be done!”
