FAQ Items - Contact Us - Surrey Police

What should I do ... ?

I can hear someone's alarm going off - what should I do?

If you hear a car or house alarm and see something suspicious, then ring the police immediately. If, however, the alarm is more of a noise nuisance because clearly there is nothing untoward going on, then ring the Environmental Health Officer at your local council.

I've had an accident - what do I do?

When damage has been caused - to another vehicle, property, person or animal - you must stop and give your name, address and registration number to the other person(s) involved. In the case of injury, you will have to show your insurance certificate.

However, if you are unable to produce any of the above documents, or there is no one else around to whom you can give the relevant information, then you must report the accident to a police station or officer as soon as possible, within 24 hours of the incident.

If there is another driver involved in the accident and they fail to stop, write down their registration number and report it to the police.

If the accident is serious, do not attempt to move any of the vehicles. The positions might well be important to any ensuing investigations.

You can find more information on Road Safety here.

My business is only small, and yet I'm constantly targeted by criminals - why?

Businesses are key targets for criminals, and the effects of crime against them can be devastating. There are a number of measures to help prevent crime, all of which need to be approached through controlled business strategies. You can read more about how this affects your business here.

What can I do about lost property?

Ring Surrey Police with details of identifying marks, i.e. a mobile phone's unique number, a credit card number or bank details, and so forth. The police will look to see if the item has been handed in and give you a lost property number.

Alternatively, you can now report property as lost on line, display it for others who may have found it and access links to other web sites at www.virtualbumblebee.co.uk. You can also use the system to search for found items that are suitable for public display.

What can I do if I've lost my dog or cat?

Most dogs and cats do return of their own free will and if not most are reunited with their owners after a short space of time. The local dog warden retains reports of lost and found dogs and is a useful contact.

As per lost property, lost dogs can also be reported on www.virtualbumblebee.co.uk.Also contact your Local Authority Dog Warden.

The police do not have a responsibility towards dogs or cats. If your dog or cat has not already been micro-chipped it might be something to consider.

See the Pet Rescue and the PetHunters.co.uk websites in related information for more help and advice.

I am having problems with eBay.

When you encounter a problem with a buyer or seller, please ensure that you make contact with them in the first instance to find out if there is any legitimate reason for any delay. Provide a reasonable time frame for them to look into the problem and come back to you. The next step is the report the incident to ebay and, if you have used them, PayPal, who will endeavour to assist you.

eBay can be contacted via their Safety Centre website. If, after these steps have been taken, you believe this to be a police matter please report on 0845 125 2222.

Reporting Credit Card Fraud

The Fraud Act 2006 represents an entirely new way for investigating fraud. It is no longer necessary to prove a person has been deceived. The focus is now on the dishonest behaviour of the suspect and their intent to make a gain or cause a loss.

It has also changed the onus in reporting credit card fraud to the police, from you to the bank/building society. Therefore if you discover that your card has been compromised and/or there are transactions on your account that you are not responsible for you now ONLY need to report this matter to your bank or building society.

Your bank/building society will then be responsible for reporting to the police as appropriate. If your credit or debit card has been stolen, please remember to cancel the card first and then, this will need to be reported to the police directly (either online or via 0845 125 2222).

Seized Vehicle Information

The police have various powers to seize vehicles under anti social behaviour legislation.

If you have driven your vehicle in an anti-social manner (which has caused or was likely to cause alarm, distress or annoyance, or was being driven in a careless or inconsiderate manner) and it has been seized by the police under S59 powers refer to the information in this document – S59 Seized Vehicle Information

If you have driven your vehicle without insurance and/or driving licence or failed to stop when required by police and there is a suspicion that the vehicle is uninsured and it has been seized by the police under S165A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 refer to the information in this document - S165 Seized Vehicle Information

Vehicle Recovery Information

If the vehicle has been recovered through the Surrey Police Vehicle Recovery Scheme the charges are statutory (as laid down in the Removal, Storage and Disposal of Vehicles – Prescribed Sums and Charges) Regulations 2008 and subsequent amendments. Please click on this link to see a table of the charges

I'm worried about ...

I don't want to be a party pooper, so how much can I drink before I go over the limit?

Even the smallest amount of alcohol can affect a driver's skills without them realising: awareness will decrease, reactions will slow. The short answer is none at all.

I think one of my employees might be using the office PC to download illegal material

Storing or distributing illegal material on or via a computer, such as child pornography, is a crime that will be dealt with by the police.

I'm worried about my children taking drugs, and what drugs they might be

Hard drugs are illegal because they are dangerous. As well as being extremely damaging to the body, they can lead to potentially life-threatening situations. If you're worried about your child perhaps being involved with drugs, we offer some advice here.

We're going away on holiday, but I'm worried about our home security

Follow these tips and make it as difficult as possible for a burglar. Take away their opportunity, and keep you and your home safe.

You may also wish to visit the SurPol Keyholder website.

The SurPol Keyholder database is a secure system which allows Surrey home and business owners to register details of keyholders to their property, so that Surrey Police can gain access in the event of an emergency.

Property owners can register and/or update their details via the web (www.surpol.co.uk), via the hotline (0870 161 1212) by fax (01483 407899) or by post (Surpol Keyholders, Southfield House, Broadford Park, Shalford, Guildford, Surrey, GU4 8EP) Registration costs from £10 + VAT.

In my area ...

I have witnessed something suspicious - what should I do?

Ring Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222 (Minicom: 01483 539999) with full details of why you think it is suspicious, unless there is a crime in progress, in which case always ring 999. Be aware you may be required to be a witness.

I want to improve the safety of my community - what can I do?

I would like to get involved in my local Neighbourhood Watch

Neighbourhood Watch is one of the biggest and most successful crime prevention initiatives ever. Behind it lies a simple idea, and a central value shared by milliions of people around the country. Read more about Neighbourhood Watch.

When you move into a Neighbourhood Watch area, a warm welcome awaits you. Your neighbours will look out for you, and you will be encouraged to do the same for them and especially the more vulnerable in the community. You will be given help to make your home more secure and to mark your property to help in its recovery, if stolen.

There may be no scheme in your area, so you could get together with your Neighbours and start a new one, you will be given support and encouragement to do so from your local contact.

Find out who your local Neighbourhood Watch Contact is.

Find out who your Safer Neighbourhood Team is.

My neighbours bonfire is a danger and a nuisance

If you have spoken to your neighbour and not been able to reach an amicable solution, the Local Authority is the correct agency to assist you in this matter.

There is an abandoned vehicle I wish to report

If you have made enquiries with your neighbours and no one knows whom the car belongs to, then take down the registration number and make of the car and contact the police.

The police will make the necessary checks on the vehicle.

• If the vehicle turns out to be stolen then the police will attend at the scene and either recover the vehicle or inform the owner of the vehicle to remove it.
• If the vehicle is not stolen, but has valid tax and insurance then unfortunately there is nothing that can be done as a fully legal vehicle can park on any road at any time(restrictions permitting).
• If the car does not have tax and/or insurance then the police will contact the local authority who will remove the vehicle.

What can I do about noisy neighbours?

If you have tried approaching your neighbour and not been able to come to an amicable solution, the Local Authority is the correct agency to deal with noise nuisance. The Citizens Advice Bureau can also assist you and has details of mediation services. If you and your neighbour live in council accommodation, contact the Council Housing Officer.

If you have spoken to your neighbour and not been able to reach an amicable solution, the Local Authority is the correct agency to assist you in this matter.

For more information see the Surrey County Council website or phone the Surrey County Council contact centre on 08456 009 009 - the contact centre is open from Monday to Friday 8am-6pm.

Why is the road closed at ...?

Contact AA Road Watch on 0870 600 0371. They have the same information as we do.