Surrey’s new Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has unveiled plans for his time in office which focus on zero tolerance but setting zero targets for the police.

Kevin Hurley, an ex-policeman and army reservist officer, was elected as Surrey’s first PCC in November although just six percent of the electorate voted for him. 

Speaking to the Epsom Guardian straight after his election, he said he wanted to deliver a hard-line focus on anti-social behaviour to reduce crime - the theme which characterises his police and crime plan for Surrey, published last Wednesday.

In the plan, Mr Hurley vows to enforce a "robust ethos of zero tolerance in Surrey", to deliver more visible street policing, and to put victims at the centre of the criminal justice system.

He said he will give people a greater say in how their streets are policed, protect local policing and has promised an "uncompromising" approach to the standards expected from the police.

But the 59-year-old repeated his belief that the "target culture has had a negative effect on British policing over the last 20 years".

Speaking about the plan, he said: "My police and crime plan sets no numerical targets for Surrey Police.  It is based on the simple principle of zero tolerance. 

"However: no targets does not mean no accountability.

"Nobody joins the police to chase targets. They join to do the right thing for the public.  I want to liberate our police to do that.

"Surrey Police has outstanding people. I believe in their desire to do the best they can for our community and I believe in their ability to do so."

Mr Hurley said he will "continue with my campaign for fairer funding of policing for Surrey taxpayers" as they pay the highest level of council tax for policing in the country, and said he wants Surrey to collaborate with neighbouring police forces to "share as many police functions as possible and, in the future, consider amalgamation".

He said this collaboration would include developing protocols between neighbouring forces so the nearest unit could respond to calls for help, regardless of county borders.

Mr Hurley said the budget for Surrey Police in 2013 to 2014 is £207.7m, but the force will have to find £7million of savings over the next four years - "a substantial management and operational challenge".

The budget for Mr Hurley’s own office has been set at £1.9m, which includes £659,000 that he receives for funding community safer projects. 

He said he has already allocated £150,000 to support a domestic abuse outreach service, and drug testing in custody and drug treatment programmes for users.

He said an annual police and crime summit would be held in each borough and district, together with the council leader and chief executive, which people would be able to attend to give their views.

Details of Mr Hurley’s visit to Epsom and Ewell have not yet been released.

The plan states: "Whilst much has been said about the low turnout for this first PCC election, and I believe there are serious lessons to learn from that, I am very positive about the role and difference it will make in our county."

Read the full report at www.surrey-pcc.gov.uk

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