In the know

You may have seen a heightened police presence in Addlestone on 8 May, with several of our officers responding to reports of a concern for safety. Officers were called to Weybridge Road outside St Georges College at around 5:45pm this evening, after a man was reportedly seen forcing a woman into a vehicle. Thanks to information provided from eyewitnesses, officers were able to safely locate the vehicle and the two individuals inside. A man in his 30s has since been arrested for a number of offences. The woman involved is being supported by specialist officers, and it is believed the pair are known to each other. We understand the concern an incident like this can cause to the local community, but we want to reassure the public that a full investigation into the matter is underway. 

We were in attendance at a fire at a block of flats on Henrietta Close in Addlestone on 10 May to assist with road closures. Henrietta Close was closed at the junction with Strawberry Fields. 

A man has been charged with several shoplifting offences following an investigation by the local Safer Neighbourhood Team. Darren Lane, 47 (21/03/1978), from Chertsey, was charged with five counts of theft from a shop, one count of theft from a motor vehicle and one count of vehicle interference. He was remanded into custody and will next appear at Staines Magistrates Court on 3 June.

A man has been charged following a burglary at Chertsey Library in April. Michael Exposito, 52 (08/06/1972), from Chertsey, was charged with burglary on Tuesday, 13 May, and appeared at Guildford Remand Court the same day. He has been remanded ahead of his next court appearance on Thursday, 12 June at Guildford Crown Court.

Well done to our partner Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) for their investigation into a Surrey man for sending grossly offensive messages. Derek Smith, of Raleigh Drive, Horley, appeared at Guildford Magistrates’ Court Wednesday, 7 May where he was sentenced to 16 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months. He was also sentenced to complete a rehabilitation requirement with the Probation Service. The 50-year-old pleaded guilty at a previous hearing at the same court on 31 December last year to four offences contrary to Section 127(1)(a) of the Communications Act 2003. The court heard that an online referral had been made to CTPSE in relation to racist and anti-Semitic posts made on a social network platform by a user. On 23 January last year, officers from CTPSE arrested Smith at his home. When officers were inside, they noticed a laptop in the living room, which was plugged in and switched on. The laptop was displaying a social media webpage, logged into a profile. Officers viewing the profile, which was public, noticed Smith had posted more than 40,000 times since creating it in May 2020. Most of the posts were related to Hitler, racism, immigration and Smith’s extremist views. Smith posted offensive comments towards Black, transgender and Jewish people, as well as Government agencies, anti-bullying charities and immigrants. Head of Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) Detective Chief Superintendent Claire Finlay said: “Smith sent several messages that most people would find grossly offensive, particularly targeting minority groups and advocating harm against them. These posts reflected his extreme views, and he undoubtedly caused harm by spreading his hatred online.”

A man who raped and suffocated a woman in a violent attack has been jailed for 11.5 years. Adam Fairfoot, 31, (DOB: 03/04/1994) from Leeds, was found guilty of a number of offences including rape, voyeurism and threatening to share a photograph or film of a person in an intimate state following a week-long trial at Guildford Crown Court. In August 2024, having only know his victim for a matter of weeks, Fairfoot raped and assaulted a woman in a jealous rage at her home address, punching her in the face and hitting her head against the wall. When the victim tried to scream, Fairfoot covered her mouth and nose with his hands and said he was going to kill her, putting her in fear of her life. He then forced the victim into her own vehicle and drove to West Yorkshire, throwing her phone out of the vehicle on the motorway when on route. Fairfoot then pulled over, took all the money in the victims’ possession and ran off. The victim was able to bravely drive off and flag down a member of the public who assisted her in calling police. At trial he was found guilty of all the offences and on Friday, 2 May was sentenced to 11.5 years imprisonment, handed a 12-year restraining order, a 12-year sexual harm prevention order and put on the sex offenders register for life. The survivor of the assault gave her powerful statement to court in which she said: "I am here today as a survivor, but barely holding on. I want to share what this experience has done to me - not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and financially. I’m not standing before you as the person I used to be. That person—the one who had hope, peace, and a sense of direction, was taken away from me. "I don’t want pity. I just want to be heard. I want the court to understand that I didn’t just go through something painful, I’m still going through it. Every single day. I’m trying to take small steps forward, but I need support. I need justice. I need to know that my pain matters. That someone sees what I’ve been through and cares enough to protect others like me." Detective Constable Hannah Simmonds, from Surrey Police’s Sexual Offences Investigation Team, said: “Fairfoot is a dangerous man who launched a terrifying assault on a woman in an outburst of pure jealousy. He has shown no remorse, even storming out of the court room and back to his cell midway through the judge's sentencing. "I would like to pay tribute to the survivor of his attack and acknowledge the courage it took to come forward and tell us what happened. I hope this sentence sends a message to other victims of sexual violence that these are serious offences which should never be tolerated. “If you have been a victim of a sexual offence, please come forward and report it to us. You will be believed; you will be supported and we will do everything possible to bring these criminals to justice.” Surrey Police has signed up to implement the National Operating Model, developed through Operation Soteria, to transform investigations of rape. Rape is one of the most complex and challenging crimes we deal with within the criminal justice system, but we are determined to make improvements for victims of rape and sexual offences and are working closer than ever with the CPS for real and meaningful changes to be made.

A motorcyclist who narrowly escaped serious injury in an M25 collision has been disqualified from driving. In the early hours of Friday, 6 December 2024, officers from our Roads Policing Unit watched in disbelief as a motorcyclist rode straight into the back of a National Highways Crash Cushion vehicle on the M25. The motorcycle lost control and spun across the carriageway in a shower of sparks and debris before colliding with the central reservation. Miraculously, the rider jumped up and walked away seconds later. Astounded officers rushed to the rider’s side and found him with minimal injuries, but smelling strongly of alcohol. Blood tests would later show he was more than double the drink drive limit, giving a reading of 170 mg/100ml (the blood test legal limit is 80 mg/100ml). Anass Jourhoumi Boukdir, 25, (18/12/1999), from West Drayton, was disqualified from driving for 20 months, and ordered to pay more than £300 in costs and fines. This incident happened during our winter crackdown campaign on drink and drug driving, Operation Limit. Drink and drug driving are part of the ‘Fatal Five’ contributory factors that cause serious road traffic collisions, and our officers are committed to holding those who choose to drive under the influence to account throughout the year.

Recently, our volunteer police cadets and their leaders were honoured to attend ‘VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember’ at Horse Guards Parade in London. The event featured performances and speeches from various artists and special guests, including the Royal Family. Helen, who was among the attendees, said: "We were so lucky to be part of such a special event honouring the sacrifices made for us during the Second World War. It was a powerful and moving tribute which reminded us of the importance of freedom and peace - an evening we’ll never forget!” We have six volunteer police cadet units across Surrey and plans to open further in the future. 

Paul is an Intelligence Inspector in our Northern Divisional Intelligence Unit (NDIU). Recently, he was recognised for his remarkable dedication and 20-year policing career at our Long Service Awards. His day-to-day consists of reviewing daily intelligence, managing threat risk and harm, developing information and intelligence to support priority crime and fast time investigations such as kidnaps, robberies, burglaries, vehicle theft, drug-related harm and exploited persons. How do you reflect on your 20-year policing career? "A lot has changed. Policing has always been challenging but it is undoubtedly more complex. It’s still rewarding and I’m still having fun. "I have worked with many different people in many different roles, but it’s the people that make the job what it is. Good people who share the same values as you. " What do you enjoy about working at Surrey Police? "It may sound cliché, but every day is different. "What I enjoy most is the teamwork. Irrespective of your role, there is a common goal to prevent crime, and every role has their part to play." What would you say to anyone who is just starting their career in policing/is considering one? "Policing is unique in that there are so many different roles and opportunities across many strands, whether that’s in investigations, specialist crime or Ops command etc. "My advice to anyone just starting their policing career is don’t be afraid to try something new and give it a go."

Two weeks ago, we welcomed our latest cohort of police officers to Surrey Police at their Pass Out Parade. The event saw 34 officers achieve Independent Patrol Status surrounded by their friends and family. Pass out parades are a significant milestone in their policing careers and is a memory that will stay with them forever.

PC Barwell with her trusty police dog PD Ella at her side, has been nominated for the National Police Bravery Awards 2025. Last year, following reports of a man armed with a large knife aggressively threatening members of the public including children, PC Barwell and PD Ella arrived to put themselves between the suspect and others. Despite facing an immediate and potentially life-threatening danger, PC Barwell demonstrated exceptional bravery, professionalism, and composure. Chief Constable Tim De Meyer said: “PC Barwell bravely put herself in harm’s way in order to protect members of the public. Her selfless actions, supported by PD Ella, undoubtedly prevented the situation escalating. I wish PC Barwell the best of luck at the Bravery Awards and could not be prouder of her.”