FAQ - Surrey Police - With You Making Surrey Safer

Frequently Asked Questions

Will it affect emergency response times if my local team are moving?

Police officers responding to emergencies are separate from Neighbourhood Teams and are unaffected by these changes. They are briefed at a main base and then out on patrol for the remainder of their shift ready for deployment by the Force Control Room. Response officers continuously patrol every borough available for deployment at any time. Surrey Police has operated in this way for some years now. Handling of emergency calls (999) and non-emergency calls (0845 125 2222) will also be unaffected and will continue to come through our Contact Centre at Mount Browne.

When will the extra officers actually be in post?

Some of them are already in post including recent additions to the Neighbourhood Teams, and detectives will soon be brought into each Neighbourhood to support the work of the Neighbourhood Teams. Over the next 12 to 18 months we are looking at rolling out more posts across the force.

Police stations act as a deterrent. If they go won't crime go up?

There is nothing to support that this is the case. It is police officers who deter crime, not buildings, particularly when they are open for limited hours and people are well aware they are. This whole process is about keeping our numbers up and making sure we continue to invest in frontline policing.

I've seen my station is for sale, but there don't seem to be any plans to replace it?

The sale of any buildings is a matter for the Surrey Police Authority and is a long process. While you may see the property advertised for sale, no sale will complete until an alternative location for the local officers has been established within your community.

When will I have the chance to see a police officer if you close my local station?

The Force is looking to have a greater range of accessible venues where people can speak to their local policing team aside from existing panels and surgeries. This could include libraries, shopping centres, or any other busy community focal points. We will also be locating our neighbourhood policing teams within boroughs and district council offices to ensure a better overall service to the public and collaborative working. Police officers will also continue to patrol the areas they do now, offering community engagement whilst on patrol.

Where will I be able to carry out police business?

Police business can be carried out face to face at any of our front counter services and you can carry out any of the usual transactions such as producing documents, reporting an incident or general enquiries. Please ensure you check the opening times for these sites before setting out as they will vary (see above for specific opening hours). You can speak with an officer in your local area while on patrol or at a panel or surgery (all of which are advertised on our website). You can also contact the police to carry out business by calling 999 in an emergency, phoning 0845 125 2222 for non-emergencies. Alternatively you can email or contact us via our website.

Where do I hand in lost property?

You can hand in lost property at any of our front counters. If there is no front counter within close proximity you can hand items directly to an officer.

Can I visit a Police Post?

There won't be any front counter service at the Police Posts. These are bases for local officers to use whilst on patrol so they do not have to travel back to main stations to complete paperwork or take a meal break. The purpose of Policing Posts is to ensure officers retain local bases, so whilst you may have the opportunity to talk to a police officer, you will not be able to carry out all of the transactions you can carry out at a front counter. Some Police Posts will however be in community centres which are open to the public for other services. Officers will still be out patrolling the same areas they do now and will be happy to discuss matters with the public whilst on patrol. You should also check our website for the local panel meetings and surgeries where you will have the opportunity to discuss issues with your local officers. You can also schedule an individual appointment with an officer to discuss any issues.