Latest news with #EllieVeseyThompson
BBC News
30-07-2025
- BBC News
Town honours first Surrey police officer killed on duty
The 170th anniversary of the first Surrey police officer to be killed in the line of duty has been marked. Inspector William Donaldson was enforcing pub closing times in Haslemere on 29 July 1855 when clashes with rail workers celebrating payday broke out. After one worker was arrested, a group of 30 marched to the town lockup to demand his release. When Insp Donaldson refused, he was hit over the head with an iron bar by Thomas Woods and kicked and stamped on by other attackers. He was taken home and when he saw his wife Janet at the door, he said: "My dear wife, I am dying." Insp Donaldson died at 03:00 BST on 30 July 1855 due to a skull fracture. He was great-great-grandson Henry Pelham, 83, added: "He makes me feel so proud, it still brings a lump to my throat." 'Hero of Haslemere' Deputy police and crime commissioner for Surrey, Ellie Vesey-Thompson, joined serving and retired police officers, councillors and residents to commemorate Insp Donaldson at a memorial service in the town on Sunday."He is, rightly, remembered now as the Haslemere Hero for his dedication to keeping the town safe, for which he made the ultimate sacrifice," she said."Remembering William and the bravery shown by him and his colleagues that night brings a stark reminder of the threats our officers still face to this day."Ms Vesey-Thompson said 26 other Surrey officers had died in the line of duty since Insp Donaldson was killed.
BBC News
16-07-2025
- BBC News
Surrey Police urges government to crackdown on catapults
Surrey's deputy police and crime commissioner is calling on the government to urgently tighten up its laws on the sale and possession of Vesey-Thompson warned they must be subject to the same rules as knives, with police given powers to seize such items in order to crack down on those who use them as comes after a spike in attacks on wildfowl in Surrey, dozens of which are believed to have been fatal. "These incidents are deeply distressing and, in the wrong hands, catapults can be deadly - so more legislation is urgently needed," she said. Vesey-Thompson first called for regulations over the sale and public carrying of catapults in February followed a campaign by volunteers at the Shepperton Swan Sanctuary which had been sparked by a series of attacks in the area on swans and other waterfowl.A parliamentary petition launched by the sanctuary reached 18,600 signatures, to which the government responded, sharing the "deep concerns raised" and saying it would keep the issue under it added that it needed to balance public concerns with respect for lawful users such as anglers, a response dubbed "shocking" by campaigners. Prove 'legitimate purpose' "It is time to start treating catapults as we would knives," said Vesey-Thompson. "Anyone caught with one must have a legitimate purpose for doing so, and it should be their responsibility to prove that purpose if they're stopped by the police."She also highlighted the connection between catapults, anti-social behaviour and vandalism, citing it as a key concern for Surrey year, cars parked at a church in a Tandridge village were damaged by projectiles, along with a number of vehicles in Thorpe, Runnymeade. Earlier this year Knowle Hill Tennis Club in Virginia Water had its windows smashed. As a result of such incidents Spelthorne Borough Council recently introduced a public space protection order ensuring that anyone caught carrying a catapult faces a fine.
BBC News
28-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Dog attack on Dorking farm sparks plea for lead usage
A dog attack which left a number of lambs seriously injured has sparked a warning from Surrey's deputy police and crime commissioner.A lamb had its top lip torn away in the attack earlier this month at a farm in Dorking, which previously lost almost 30 sheep in a single visiting the farm, Surrey DPCC Ellie Vesey-Thompson urged dog owners to keep pets on leads."Surrey is home to many responsible dog-owners who deeply cherish their pets. But even the most trusted of dogs can behave in surprising or shocking ways," she said. Vesey-Thompson warned of the "traumatising" effects of livestock worrying, which is a criminal offence in the UK and includes barking, chasing, biting and said: "While I'm pleased that the lamb is recovering well, others that were more seriously hurt remain critically unwell, and, despite excellent care and treatment, sadly may not recover."This is an absolutely horrific incident that could so easily have been prevented by the simple action of putting a dog on a lead."The National Sheep Association (NSA) said it was also important to ensure dogs were secure in the home or garden."Dogs straying from their own homes is another common cause of devastating sheep worrying attacks, potentially leading to sheep prolonged suffering until the impact of the incident is discovered," a spokesperson said.
