On Friday I held a meeting in Oxted with Surrey Police, local councillors, representatives from local businesses and Oxted BID about persistent crime and anti-social behaviour in the town centre.
I want everyone to feel safe in our community, and I know there have been really worrying incidents in recent months - particularly relating to organised crime gangs and unacceptable threats towards young shop staff.
Businesses rightly raised their frustrations that 999 calls are not resulting in visits to their stores. Lisa Townsend, our Police and Crime Commissioner, has been working with the police improve 999 responses.
Our Borough Commander Lyndsey Whatley has committed to working with local businesses to improve reporting and ensure their staff feel safe.
There will be another online public meeting for local businesses held by the Oxted BID in the coming weeks.
I’d also like to welcome the work of Oxted and Limpsfield Parish Councils, Friends of the Master Park and Oxted and Hurst Green Community Centres to install more CCTV and ANPR cameras in the area, which will help deter crime and gather evidence on behalf of the police.
