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On 8 October a number of roads in Virginia Water were closed due to a police incident. This followed reports of a potential unexploded ordinance being located by local workers. The item in question was identified as a tank training aid and was removed by specialist support. We would like to thank local residents and road users for their cooperation and patience.
A prolific thief who targeted shops in Runnymede has been granted a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) for three years. Eleanor Purssey, 34 from Addlestone, has been targeting shops in Addlestone, Chertsey and Egham over the last year. The order prohibits Purssey from several things which include: • Concealing any item for sale on her person at any retail premises • Entering Central Court, Addlestone for any reason • Entering any shop or business she has been banned from When entering a shop or business, Purssey must also have the means to pay for any items selected and must place all items for purchase into the baskets/trolleys provided and nowhere else until they are paid for and leave basket/trolleys behind. If asked to do so, Purssey must also leave a retail/ business premises immediately without the use of aggressive or abusive language or behaviour, and thereafter not return. The order is in effect until 29 September 2029, and if Purssey does anything which she is prohibited from in the order, she is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment, or to a fine. Inspector Ian Nash, Runnymede Borough Commander, said: “Purssey’s actions have caused a lot of distress to businesses and members of the public in our community. I hope the outcome of this CBO shows that this behaviour will not be tolerated.” Breaches of the conditions of a CBO can lead to arrest.
As the darker nights are coming in, we are conducting high visibility patrols in areas historically affected by burglaries. PC Arrow covered 105 miles in and around Runnymede; looking out for those who are trying to prey on our community. As a team we are committed to reducing burglaries in the area. The darker nights also attract other would-be-opportunists, and we have seen a number of vehicles having items stolen from them without causing damage. These areas are also on our patrol plans. Please ensure that you double check your vehicle is locked before leaving it overnight and removing any valuables from within. Whilst proactively patrolling the area, PC Hossack from the Neighbourhood Policing Team responded to a driver allegedly driving dangerously within Runnymede. The vehicle was found parked up in a garage area, finding the passenger in the process of inflating a balloon with Nitrous Oxide. The three people inside were detained for the purposes of a search. SNT officers PC Arrow and PCSO Turlui who were out proactively patrolling assisted due to the numbers of individuals. Inside the vehicle were two boxes of Nitrous Oxide, (NOS), which is now a Class C controlled substance and is illegal for a person to wrongfully inhale it. As balloons were found on one of them and in the process of blowing a balloon up when PC Hossack arrived, they recieved a Community Resolution for the possession and the cannisters have been seized for destruction. Nitrous Oxide in high doses can lead to health risks, including oxygen deprivation which can lead to convulsions, breathing difficulty and in severe cases, heart issues or loss of consciousness.
Two men have been jailed for stealing a car and using it to carry out a smash and grab burglary from a jewellery shop in West Byfleet. On Wednesday, 29 January, a red Mini Cooper was stolen from Addlestone. Several hours later, witnesses watched open-mouthed as the same red Mini Cooper reversed repeatedly into the window of Brooklands Jewellers in West Byfleet. Having rammed the glass until it shattered, a man jumped out of the rear passenger seat, reached under the broken shop window, and began removing watches and jewellery from inside. He piled these items into the back of the car, and they were gone within a matter of minutes. Police were swiftly dispatched to the scene where, following a short pursuit in New Haw, the Mini was abandoned. The thieves fled on foot, but Police Dog (PD) Vinnie and his handler picked up their scent and tracked it through Pinewood Allotments to a shed. The two men hiding inside were removed by armed officers, watched over by a triumphant PD Vinnie. Meanwhile, close by, PD Oakley and his handler were scouring the woods for evidence…and PD Oakley’s nose hit the jackpot when he uncovered a pillowcase partly concealed in the bushes. On carefully opening it, his handler found it contained the watches and jewellery stolen from Brooklands Jewellers several hours earlier. Matthew White, 30, and Benjamin Brazil, 38, were arrested and charged with burglary and theft of motor vehicle. White was also charged with dangerous driving, and Brazil was additionally charged with driving without due care and attention, driving without insurance or a licence, and vehicle interference. At Kingston Crown Court on Monday, 6 October, White, (04/03/1995), of Addlestone, was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison. He will also be disqualified from driving for three years on his release. Brazil, (08/09/1986), of West Drayton, was sentenced to four years and two months in prison. He will also be disqualified from driving for 18 months on his release. Investigating officer DC Kerry Plumb said, “White and Brazil are career criminals who acted with no regard for property that was not their own, stealing whatever they wanted, wreaking havoc along the way, and not stopping to think about the consequences of their actions. Fortunately, they now have plenty of time to reflect on this in prison. “Officers with a variety of skills from across the force – ranging from dog handlers to investigations to traffic to armed response and uniformed response and neighbourhood officers – played a vital role in pulling this case together. Bringing these criminals to justice would not have been possible without this teamwork. “I am also thankful for the many members of the public who came forward as witnesses. Their evidence helped us place White and Brazil – and the car they stole – at the scene of the ram raid in West Byfleet and was crucial in helping land them behind bars.”
Our officers are continuing to monitor protest activity at The Stanwell Hotel following reports of disorder at the premises on 7 October. A dispersal order has been put in place from 4pm on 8 October until 4pm on Friday 10 October, which will give officers the power to direct anyone engaged in anti-social behaviour to leave a specified area and not return for a period of up to 48 hours. This order was sought after a group of people forced their way in past metal fencing to gain access to the grounds of the hotel, causing alarm and distress to the residents and staff. A woman was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit violent disorder in connection with the incident and enquiries remain ongoing to identify and locate further suspects. Officers also received reports of disruptive behaviour at The Stanwell Hotel around 8am on 30 September. Jake Holder, 27, (DOB: 13/08/1998), from Kettering in Buckingham, has since been charged with affray, burglary with intent to cause damage, criminal damage, Section 4A public order (homophobically aggravated) and assault on an emergency worker. He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Guildford Crown Court on 30 October. Spelthorne Borough Commander Inspector Matt Walton said: “While we respect the right to lawful protest and will facilitate this wherever possible where it is safe to do so, criminal offences and public disorder will not be tolerated, and we will take robust action against anyone who behaves in this way. “We acknowledge that the majority of people who have been protesting outside the hotel have been doing so peacefully; however, the significant disorder committed by some of the protesters last night caused the hotel’s residents and staff considerable alarm and distress, and we took robust action to address this promptly, including making an arrest for aggravated trespass. We have also issued a number of Community Protection Warnings to tackle this disruptive behaviour, and we will continue to use these powers in the future. “As well as the dispersal order which will be in place over the next 48 hours, there will also be an increased police presence in the area and we hope this sends a clear message that, while we support the public’s right to lawful protest, we will not tolerate criminal offences and public disorder and we will take robust action against anyone who behaves in this manner.”
A serving police constable in the Metropolitan Police Service, who lied after he was caught speeding on two separate occasions, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice when he appeared at Guildford Crown Court on 7 October. Benjamin Whitcher, 32, of Basingstoke, (dob 19/06/1993), was first caught on camera for a speeding offence on the M3 in Sunbury back in April 2021, but when contacted, he tried to claim that it wasn't him and that his number plates had been cloned. Whitcher was then caught speeding again on 17 May 2021 in Twickenham and again tried to claim he hadn’t been driving the car at the time. Concerns were raised that the information given to Surrey and the Metropolitan Police was incorrect. Following further investigation, which showed Whitcher had been driving on both occasions, he was subsequently charged. Detective Constable Matt Lloyd, from Surrey Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, who investigated the case, said: “Speeding reduces reaction time, increases the likelihood of losing control, and makes collisions more violent, and could lead to serious or fatal injuries for those involved. “The fact that not only has a serving police officer been caught speeding on two different occasions, he has then also tried to concoct an elaborate story in an attempt to cover his tracks, is deplorable. “Any police officer or member of police staff who does not meet the high standards expected of them to maintain the public’s trust and confidence must expect to be dealt with robustly.” Whitcher will be sentenced on 15 December at Guildford Crown Court.
On Thursday, 25 September 2025, our Chief Constable Tim De Meyer and Magistrate Dee Wilkinson welcomed over 54 new recruits to our Force in our fourth attestation of the year. The recruits will now begin their training and will soon be out policing our communities.
Charlie Simmins is one of our new recruits. After nine years in the Civil Service and five years volunteering as a Special Constable, Charlie has joined Surrey Police to pursue his passion for frontline policing. “Throughout my career I have been motivated by serving the public and making a positive difference for people, but often I have felt removed from having a direct impact. As a Special Constable, I came away from shifts feeling much more rewarded and felt that I had made much more of a difference. This is a big part of what has motivated me to commit to policing as a full-time.” Charlie brings experience from both rural policing on the Isle of Man and frontline duties in Brixton to his new role.
Free webinar on Keeping Children Safe Online - protect yourself and your family with this free, engaging online session designed to help your loved ones thrive in the digital age, delivered by Southeast Cyber, a regional Police Cyber Crime Unit. Including social media safety, parental controls, password best practice, gaming and spotting online threats, the free webinar takes place on Wednesday 15 October at 1pm. Learn more and sign up here - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-digital-dilemma-keeping-children-safe-online-tickets-1433589838799?aff=odcleoeventsincollection | ||
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