In the know

Dispersal orders were in place for the area of Ottershaw between the hours of 5pm on Friday, 6 June to 8am on Monday, 9 June. The area included Brox Road, Guildford Road, Chobham Road and Murray Road, and the surrounding areas. This was granted following several cases of anti-social behaviour in the area. The order means that officers can direct someone who is believed to be committing or may commit any of these offences to leave the area, and failing to do so would be an arrestable offence. Our neighbourhood teams were patrolling the areas during these times.

On Tuesday, 1 April retired Surrey Police Protection Officer Steve Taylor was awarded the prestigious Royal Victorian Medal (Silver) by His Majesty the King. For over two decades, Steve has provided loyal service to the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and their family, marking an unprecedented commitment to the household. In recognition of this dedication, Steve was proudly named in the King’s New Year Honours List as a recipient of this prestigious award. When asked if he had any words surrounding his time with Surrey Police, he said: “May I say it has been a privilege to have been a part of Surrey's protection team at Bagshot Park, and with the support of my colleagues and Surrey Police over the years I take away many happy memories into my retirement. I couldn't have achieved this award without you all.”

We spoke to our briefing officer for this year’s Epsom Derby event, Inspector Bert Dean, who told us all about his role and why it’s crucial to the safe policing of the Derby. "The briefing officer role is important because it tells officers and staff what they need to know ahead of working the Derby. One of our sergeants and I compile a briefing of key information and deliver it to officers and staff on site across the two days. No two years at Epsom Derby are the same, and we have to ensure that our teams know the latest intelligence and what to look out for." "Planning starts many months ahead of the Derby. A pre-event briefing video is created for our officers and staff. This covers the objectives from our Gold Commander and what is expected from them throughout their shifts policing the event." “Having policed the Derby as a constable and a sergeant, I've had the opportunity to see how it has changed over the years. My role this year as briefing officer gives me the opportunity to inform and motivate those who are policing the event, to go out and police with pride - and give the public their best service."

Sergeant Paul Meare was responsible for planning our Roads Policing Unit's response for the Epsom Derby operation. "I have a team of nearly 40 officers on Derby Day (7 June), who will be keeping roads clear, dealing with any collisions, and enforcing the clearways, assisting with getting thousands of vehicles into and out of the site safely and in all weather conditions. "Our team’s key mission is to reduce the number of fatal and serious injury collisions on Surrey’s roads, and we will take robust action against those who pose a risk to others. Throughout the weekend we will be running Operation Limit, an initiative we usually run during December to tackle those who drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. “Officers are out on motorcycles and in patrol cars, both marked and unmarked, across the weekend, to ensure those travelling to and from the Derby are doing so safely and will be testing those they suspect to be driving whilst over the limit. “The team is made up of specialist traffic officers who normally police the county’s roads, but we remain ready to respond to any incident that arises."

During Friday and Saturday, our special constables were assisting our policing operation at Derby and within Epsom town centre alongside our police officers. Special constables form a vital link between communities and our Force. Through their volunteering, they provide valuable additional capacity and resilience to our frontline resources. Specials are involved in many aspects of policing - particularly responding to fast-time incidents as part of our neighbourhood policing teams, tackling ASB, taking part in targeted days of action and resourcing warrants. 

A paedophile has been sentenced to a total of 17 years behind bars, plus four years on extended licence, for a series of horrific sexual crimes against two children between September 2016 and April 2019, and between April and June 2023. Simon Richards, 50 (DOB: 15/05/1975), from Lancashire, pleaded guilty to 11 charges including multiple counts of rape of a child, attempted rape of a child, and making and distributing indecent images of a child. Richards’ partner, Natalie Rabie, 46 (DOB: 15/09/1978), from Lancashire, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to incite a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity and was sentenced to 20 months in prison. The pair, who previously resided in Surrey, appeared at Guildford Crown Court on 3 June 2025. Richards and Rabie were first arrested in June 2023 after the mother of one of the victims discovered sexual communications between Richards and the child, including the sharing of indecent imagery. During police interviews, Richards replied ‘no comment’ throughout but pleaded guilty at subsequent court hearings. A thorough investigation undertaken by our Child Abuse Team uncovered the extent of Richards’ offending in Surrey. For the offences of rape and attempted rape against one victim he received a total of nine years in prison. For offences against the second victim including rape and sexual assault, and for the distribution of indecent images he received a further eight years. His sentences will be served consecutively. At the sentencing hearing, the judge deemed Richards as ‘dangerous’ and he will be added to the Registered Sex Offenders list for life. Both Richards and Rabie will be handed Sexual Harm Prevention Orders and indefinite Restraining Orders, preventing them from any contact with the victims for the rest of their lives. Investigating Officer Harriet Francos said: “The bravery of the children involved in this investigation has been incredible. Their support for this case alongside that of key witnesses has been vital in putting these predators behind bars. “Richards in particular, groomed these young people and poses a serious risk to children. It is a relief that he is now in prison and will have very strict conditions on him for the rest of his life. “I would urge anyone who has been the victim of sexual abuse, to come forward and report it to us in the knowledge that you will be listened to, believed and supported.”

A man has been sentenced to six years and 11 months in prison after pleading guilty to 17 counts relating to the possession, making and distribution of indecent images of children, publishing an obscene article and attempting to incite a boy aged 13-15 years to engage in sexual activity. Harry Nyazai, 27, (DOB 13/5/1998), had also pleaded guilty to one count of outraging public decency at an earlier hearing, and was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Friday (6 June). Nyazai, who had worked at a number of schools in Surrey, as well as a children’s holiday club and also advertised his services on social media as a babysitter and after school tutor, was arrested after police received information that he was uploading indecent images of children to a Google account in October 2022. Nyazai was arrested on 24 November 2022 on suspicion of making indecent images of children. Following his arrest, a number of digital devices belonging to him were seized and examined, which showed that indecent images of children had been downloaded. Nyazai was further arrested in January 2023 in relation to material on messaging apps which showed he was communicating with others who had similar interest in indecent images of children and child sexual abuse, and again in February 2023 after further examination of his devices showed he had also been taking, making and encouraging distribution of indecent images of children, including children in his care. The families of the children who were identified as victims of an offence were contacted at the time and provided with the appropriate support and care. A Sexual Risk Order (SRO) against Nyazai was granted in February 2023. In May 2023, he pleaded guilty to two breaches of the SRO at Guildford Magistrates’ Court and was given conditional bail, including not to have any unsupervised access with anyone under the age of 18 years. In June 2024, Nyazai was seen sitting in his car near a school playground in Farnham during break time. Due to his suspicious behaviour, the witness took a photo of Nyazai’s car and reported the matter to the school who reported it to police. He was subsequently arrested for outraging public decency after a number of items, including children’s underwear and indecent photos, were found in his car. At the time of committing this offence, Nyazai was on bail for the other matters. Following a further court appearance, he was remanded in custody. Nyazai's licence was extended for a further three years and he was also barred from working with children, placed on the Sex Offender Register for life and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.