In the know

Last Friday, officers from the Rural Crime Team, Roads Policing Unit, and Safer Neighbourhood Team set up a multi-agency vehicle checkpoint in Addlestone targeting vehicle and plant machinery theft, waste carriers, and fly tipping. Working with the HMRC Mobile Enforcement Team, Environment Agency, and Runnymede Borough Council over 33 vehicles were stopped and five vehicles seized. Three people were also processed for potential waste disposal offences by the Environment Agency or Runnymede Borough Council. This was part of an intensive two days of action combating persistent rural crime issues across Surrey, including vehicle and plant machinery theft, poaching, road safety for horse riders, and fly tipping. More than 80 vehicles were stopped, and five arrests made, across Friday 6 and Saturday 7 September. Chief Inspector Chris Tinney, Surrey Police rural crime lead, said, “We know that rural crime is often under-reported, and that the rural community have felt underserved by the police in the past. My hope is that this targeted day of action sends a message to this community that Surrey Police is dedicated to tackling rural crime across our county. “Having high volumes of police officers concentrated specifically on our rural communities during the day of action provided a high visibility deterrent to those seeking to victimise our rural communities. This is the most significant rural crime day of action led by Surrey Police to date, and we are already planning the next. If you didn’t see us out and about over the weekend, I can assure you that you will see us again soon.”

A former Surrey Police Community Support Officer has been charged with a number of offences, including perverting the course of justice and committing fraud by false representation. Olivia Morphew, 24, who was based in Elmbridge, has also been charged with possession of a bladed article in a public place. The charges relate to an allegation of assault reported to Surrey Police on 21 June 2022. In July 2022, the matter was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), who carried out an independent investigation. The charges were subsequently authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Former PCSO Morphew was due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 11 September.

On Saturday 31st August, Officers attended an address on Bremer Road in Staines, where the bodies of three children and their father were located inside. The deaths of the children, Dominik Swiderski, 3, Nikodem Swiderski, 2, and Kacper Swiderski, 2, are being investigated as murder by the Surrey Police and Sussex Police Major Crime Team. We are not looking for anyone else in connection with our investigation. Their mother is being supported by specially trained officers. Senior Investigating Officer, DCI Kimball Edey said; "I would like to express my sincere condolences to the family of Dominik, Kacper and Nikodem for their loss. They will continue to be supported by specialist officers as our investigation continues. I would ask that their privacy is respected at what is a tremendously difficult time for them." A mandatory IOPC referral was made due to previous police contact with the family in August 2023. Earlier this week, the IOPC determined that an investigation into this previous contact was not required. The inquest into the death of Piotr Swiderski, was opened and adjourned on Tuesday 10th September.

The inquest into the deaths of Dominik, Nikodem and Kacper Swiderski, was also opened and adjourned on Tuesday 10th September.

On Friday morning officers from our dedicated coaching unit were out in Halliford Road, Shepperton conducting speed enforcement following concerns from local residents. Seven vehicles were stopped for speeding and this resulted in the following :

One driver reported for summons for totting up to 12 points, previously had 9 points for 3 separate speeding Offences

Four drivers issued with Notice of Intending Prosecution for speeding

Two drivers given word of advice about their speed as whilst they were speeding, they were below the limit for enforcement

Once completed they went on to conduct patrols in the local area.

We know that of the main reasons for death or serious injury on our roads speeding is one of the most likely. 29,643 were killed or seriously injured (KSI) in road traffic collisions last year with nearly 20% were caused by speeding. We know there are mixed views on speed enforcement but given we can help reduce the number of KSI's by taking this action we will continue to do so. As you can see from some of our results where we can educate rather just enforce we will do so. We will continue targeting all the "fatal five" reasons for KSI's on our roads :

Speeding

Not wearing a seatbelt

Distractions – using a mobile phone or a hand-held or hands-free device

Alcohol and drugs

Careless driving

Is your teenager heading to university this month? Making new friends and enjoying nights out are inevitable. Ensure they keep themselves safe and are aware about spiking with the help of this advice - http://spkl.io/6188fBCJu

If you or anyone you know owns a knife (of any kind) that is no longer wanted or that you believe is dangerous, there are amnesty knife bins across Surrey police stations where knives can be dropped. Our officers are involved in educational work across the county, encouraging people to surrender knives to us, as well as operational work to bring cases involving bladed weapons to court. Some recent good work involved the sentencing of a 16-year-old boy, who was stopped in Redhill and later charged and found guilty of possession of a bladed article, after a machete was found in a nearby bin by officers during the stop. The boy, who was 15 at the time, was sentenced to a six-month conditional discharge. From 24 September, it will be illegal to possess, sell, manufacture and transport zombie-style knives and machetes, and there is a surrender and compensation scheme ongoing until 23 September, whereby these weapons can be surrendered, no questions asked.