Victoria Shipp

Esher and Walton MP Monica Harding warns that proposed planning rules creating a presumption in favour of housing near well-connected stations could expose her constituency to extensive development, including on land near its seven stations and areas of green belt. She argues that some stations lack access to essential services, that centralized planning decisions could override residents, and that the policy may produce unaffordable luxury homes rather than needed affordable housing. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government says the rules will not grant automatic permission and that local input will remain decisive, while the government says the changes will unlock homes around transport hubs and help address the housing crisis.

Clive Siddall was convicted of raping one girl and sexually abusing another in the early 1980s, more than 40 years before the case reached court. The two survivors described lasting effects on their education, mental health, relationships and substance use. After one victim reported the abuse in 2022, Siddall was charged in 2024 and found guilty of all six offences at Kingston Crown Court. He was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court to 12 years in prison, with police saying he may spend the rest of his life behind bars. Surrey Police praised the survivors' courage and urged other victims of sexual offences that it is never too late to report.

Surrey residents are receiving spoofed calls from scammers posing as Surrey Police, sometimes appearing to come from the legitimate 101 number. The callers may request personal or bank details, instruct victims to withdraw money or buy expensive items, or otherwise attempt to transfer funds. Surrey Police says genuine officers will not make unsolicited requests of this kind and advises people to verify callers through 101 or the force’s online chat; emergencies should be reported via 999.

Surrey’s first Popeyes restaurant will open at 35 North Street in Guildford on August 28, 2026, in the former JD Sports premises. Opening-day promotions include free chicken sandwiches and merchandise for early customers. The restaurant will offer Popeyes’ Cajun Crunch menu, breakfast items and online collection, create 30 jobs and seat 63 customers.

Abdifatah Yusuf Adani, 22, has been charged with attempted murder after a stabbing at the Stanwell Hotel in Stanwell, which houses asylum seekers. The alleged victim, a hotel staff member in his 30s, is in stable condition and is no longer believed to have life-threatening injuries. Armed police assisted with Adani’s arrest, and he has been remanded in custody ahead of an appearance at Staines Magistrates’ Court. A heightened police presence remains in the area.

The Gatwick Aviation Museum in Charlwood is presented as an affordable, family-friendly attraction featuring aircraft exhibits, a full-size Robinson R22 helicopter and a popular Avro Shackleton Mk 3 tour. Founded by Surrey businessman Peter Vallance in 1987, the museum is also well suited to plane spotting and outdoor picnics near Gatwick Airport. It opens mainly from Friday to Sunday, with additional Thursday opening in August, and charges £13.50 for adults, £11 for children under 13 and an additional £5 for the Shackleton tour.

Warick Rapela, 42, of Heybridge, was sentenced to three and a half years at Reading Crown Court after pleading guilty to four residential burglaries in Surrey and another burglary in Essex. The offences involved smashed doors and windows, thefts including more than £24,000 in cash and valuables, and a hooded suspect fleeing on a moped with cloned number plates. Police traced the vehicle’s genuine registration to Rapela’s address, where they found fake plates, a signal jammer and a high-visibility jacket matching CCTV footage.

Surrey Police cancelled an appeal to locate a 12-year-old girl who was reported missing from Knaphill after confirming that she had been found. She was last seen at home at 9:00 p.m. on August 11, and officers had believed she might be in the Woking or Guildford area.

Christ Church Woking is beginning the first phase of a major redevelopment after amendments were made to its 2020 planning permission. The phase will add a Youth and Community Centre and refurbish and reorder the existing Grade II-listed building. The revised plans retain the approved extension's footprint and form but replace the previously planned terracotta façade with brick. The improvements are intended to support the church, young people, families and local community groups while preserving the building's character and maintaining longer-term redevelopment plans.

The A3 in Guildford will face a weekend southbound or northbound closure schedule and additional overnight closures as National Highways continues repairs to the 45-year-old Dennis Interchange roundabout. The A3 northbound will close between the Stoke and Dennis interchanges from 9pm on August 21 until 6am on August 24, with a 40mph limit on the southbound carriageway, followed by further overnight closures on August 24 and 25. Drivers are advised to plan ahead, although the official diversion route had not yet been published.

South Western Railway will divert some Portsmouth Harbour–London Waterloo services via Cobham and Stoke D’Abernon after Guildford between 10:00 and 18:00 from August 12 to 14 as temperatures are forecast to reach 35°C. Passengers travelling to Woking should change at Guildford, although the diversion is not expected to lengthen journeys. The changes are intended to reduce the risk of high rail temperatures affecting points near Woking, which are due to be renewed later in the year.

Vilius Domarkas admitted causing death by dangerous driving after his Citroën Relay veered into a coned-off area of the M23 near Gatwick and struck a highways worker. Police said Domarkas showed signs of intoxication, and a blood test recorded 221 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres, well above the legal limit. He is awaiting sentencing at Hove Crown Court on September 28.

Overnight roadworks and emergency repairs will affect the A3, M3, M23 and M25 across Surrey from Monday, August 10, through Sunday, August 16. Closures include resurfacing, concrete repairs, drainage, road markings, maintenance and joint renewal works, with disruption concentrated between roughly 8pm and 6am. Drivers should expect longer journeys and follow diversions via local-authority and National Highways networks.

Ryan Dinnage, 32, of Croydon, was sentenced to eight years and six months in prison at Reading Crown Court after being convicted of raping a woman who was asleep in her caravan following the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May 2022. Forensic and mobile-phone evidence contradicted his initial denials and later claim that the sexual activity was consensual. He was acquitted of two additional sexual-offence charges. Thames Valley Police said the victim had endured a difficult process lasting more than four years and expressed hope that the sentence would help her move forward.

Surrey is forecast to experience another heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach around 30C from Sunday, August 9, and potentially peak at 34C on Wednesday, August 12. The Met Office defines a Surrey heatwave as at least three consecutive days above 28C, a threshold that may be exceeded for seven straight days. Continued sunshine and little or no rain are likely to prolong dry conditions, while hosepipe bans remain in place and a drought has been declared. Some thundery rain may reach southern and eastern England, but rainfall is expected to be highly variable.

Retired police dog Polly, an 11-year-old German Shepherd cross Belgian Malinois who served with Surrey and Sussex Police, nearly died after a minor leg cut developed into a severe unexplained infection. After reacting badly to her initial antibiotics, she required emergency veterinary care costing more than £4,000. The Thin Blue Paw Foundation covered the treatment costs, allowing Polly to return home to former handler PC Claire Harrison, who said the dog’s resilience helped save her life.

Croudace Homes has submitted initial planning documents for up to 250 homes at a showground north of Felbridge, near East Grinstead. The site includes existing equestrian facilities, grassland, woodland and ponds, and lies within the Green Belt. Existing buildings would be demolished, with pedestrian and cycling routes added and buildings reaching up to three storeys. The proposal remains at an early stage, while the developer seeks Tandridge District Council’s view on whether a full Environmental Impact Assessment is required.

National Trust lead ranger Matt Cusack highlights Hindhead Commons and the Devil's Punch Bowl as a distinctive Surrey destination offering wildlife, walking routes, views, springs, family activities and a café. The landscape, shaped partly by the Hindhead Tunnel and the old A3, combines natural features with local myths and ghost stories. The grounds are open from dawn to dusk, free to enter, and accessible from Haslemere or the A3, although non-members pay for parking.

National Highways is undertaking overnight roadworks and closures on the A3, M23 and M25 across Surrey from Monday, August 3, through Sunday, August 9, 2026. Works include structural repairs, resurfacing, drainage, concrete repairs, tunnel works and routine maintenance, with closures affecting junctions and slip roads around Staines, Reigate, Leatherhead, Chertsey, Godstone and Mersham. Drivers are warned to expect diversions, longer journeys and disruption, particularly during night and early-morning hours.

Prolonged heatwaves and drought have reduced the water level in the historic serpentine lake at Claremont Landscape Garden near Esher to its lowest level in at least a decade. The National Trust, which has managed the site since 1949, says the conditions threaten plants, birds and aquatic life and highlight the vulnerability of historic landscapes to increasingly extreme climate patterns. The garden remains open, but rowboat hire has been temporarily suspended.

The Stag on the River in Eashing has been ranked ninth in Locals Insider’s list of the UK’s best beer gardens for 2026, making it the only South East venue included. Located beside the River Wey and overlooking the Surrey Hills, the pub garden was praised for offering genuine countryside tranquillity while remaining less than an hour from central London and accessible to communities near the M25. Devon’s Anchor Inn in Seaton topped the wider list.

A post-mortem examination of 58-year-old Janne Fuller, whose body was found at an address on Cross Street in Farnborough on July 27, was inconclusive. Four men were arrested on suspicion of murder; three have been released with no further action, while a 47-year-old man remains on police bail. Hampshire Constabulary is continuing enquiries to establish the cause and circumstances of Fuller’s death and is appealing for information.

The Hindhead Tunnel has marked 15 years since opening on the A3 in Surrey. The 1.2-mile tunnel carries around 47,000 to 48,000 vehicles a day and is monitored continuously by National Highways operators using CCTV, radar, emergency telephones, public-address systems, traffic controls and other safety equipment. Operators commonly assist motorists who run out of fuel or suffer breakdowns, while helicopter landing pads provide emergency access. The former road surface above ground has been returned to nature as part of the National Trust's Devil's Punch Bowl site, reconnecting habitats and walking routes. Reduced traffic noise has also enabled rare nightjars to breed in the southern section of the site.

More than 100 residents have objected to an outline application by The Chalfont Property Company for up to 56 homes on a horse-grazing field near Heathside in Esher. The Green Space Working Group, represented by Paul Thomas, argues that the development would harm the greenbelt, increase traffic and place pressure on inadequate infrastructure. The developer says the site is sustainable, close to Hinchley Wood station and local services, and would provide 50% affordable housing alongside open space and biodiversity improvements. Elmbridge Borough Council says the application will be assessed under local and national planning policies, while residents continue to raise awareness and prepare for a community meeting.

A collision involving a car and a motorbike on the M25 clockwise between junctions 6 and 7 near Godstone left a motorcyclist and pillion passenger in hospital. The crash caused fuel spillage, lane closures and severe congestion on both carriageways, with delays reaching about 60 minutes and queues extending toward Leatherhead, Clacket Lane Services and the M23. All lanes later reopened clockwise, although residual delays remained.

The Redhill Post Office inside the TG Jones newsagents will close at noon on 5 September 2026 after TG Jones’s lease expires and the store shuts. Post Office services are currently being reviewed for relocation to a nearby site, but no replacement has been confirmed. The nearest existing branch, at Linkfield Corner, offers fewer services than the High Street branch, while other branches are available in Earlswood, Monsoon Road and Reigate.

Two children aged 12 and 13 were seriously injured in a three-vehicle collision on the A31 Farnham Bypass. Police said the driver of a black BMW 3 Series struck two stationary vehicles before fleeing on foot toward Farnham town centre. Surrey Police are seeking witnesses and CCTV, dashcam or helmet-camera footage to help identify the driver.

Four men from Farnborough have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a body was found at a home on Cross Street during the search for Janna, a 58-year-old woman reported missing after last being seen on July 6. One 47-year-old man remains in custody, while three others have been bailed with conditions. Hampshire Police are continuing their investigation and have asked anyone with relevant information to contact officers.

National Highways will carry out overnight roadworks and maintenance on the A3 and M25 across Surrey from Tuesday, July 28, to Friday, July 31. Closures affect sections near Stoke, Compton, Wisley, Milford, Chertsey, Godstone, Sevenoaks, Staines and Heathrow, generally between 9pm or 10pm and 5.30am or 6am. Drivers may face diversions and longer journeys while resurfacing, drainage, vegetation, barrier, gantry and routine maintenance works take place.

A man was found in critical condition at a gym on Epsom High Street after emergency services were called at around 6:30 a.m. on July 24. He was taken to hospital while police worked to establish his identity and contact his next of kin. A cordon was expected to remain in place during the investigation, with the gym likely closed for the weekend. Surrey Police appealed for witnesses and information.

A new book, ReLeighable Memories, collects the recollections of 16 former pupils who attended Leigh School in Surrey during the 1950s. Christopher Fisher describes a close-knit village with three shops, a post office, a filling station, regular buses, a football team and many children enjoying considerable freedom. He also recalls the expansion of council housing, difficult living conditions before the move to a council house, and the fear inspired by strict teachers and school punishment. The book was launched at Leigh’s flower show, where former pupils discussed their memories.

Nine Surrey pubs were selected for The Telegraph’s expanded guide to the UK’s best pubs, recognised for atmosphere, drinks quality and community presence. The list highlights historic venues, award winners and pubs known for gardens, food offerings and local partnerships. Comments from The Telegraph’s beer and travel journalist emphasise the diversity and resilience of the UK pub landscape.

Two water companies, Affinity Water and South East Water, have imposed hosepipe bans affecting numerous Surrey postcodes due to prolonged hot weather and low rainfall. Affinity Water’s restrictions began July 17, while South East Water’s begin July 25 and impact all 2.4 million of its customers. Thames Water has also urged residents to avoid hosepipe use during heatwaves as supplies remain under pressure.

A temporary hosepipe ban will begin on July 25 for South East Water customers in areas including Farnham, Bordon, Godalming, Ash and Surrey Heath due to low rainfall, hot weather and high demand. The company reports only half the expected rainfall since March, triggering measures in its Drought Plan. Households are prohibited from using hosepipes for garden watering, cleaning vehicles or outdoor surfaces, and filling pools. Water Supply Director Douglas Whitfield said the restrictions aim to protect essential water supply and acknowledged frustrations, noting it is the first such measure in parts of Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire in 14 years. The company is developing new water sources to improve long-term resilience and urges residents to start complying immediately.

A German Christmas Mini Market will take place at The Guildhall in Guildford on November 29, offering free entry and traditional festive items including Glühwein and German baked goods. Organised by the Guildford Twinning Association, the event supports cultural and educational exchanges with Freiburg. Chair Barbara Ford highlighted the market’s long-standing tradition and volunteer support.

The northbound A3 between Dennis Interchange and Stoke Interchange will close from the evening of July 17 to the morning of July 20 for the next phase of repair work on the 45‑year‑old Dennis Roundabout structure. National Highways is addressing ageing concrete and bridge supports, with traffic diverted through Guildford town centre during the closure. Drivers are advised to plan ahead as work continues in phases to maintain safety and structural integrity.

A 52-year-old motorcyclist, Mason Haynes of Thames Ditton, died in a four-vehicle collision on the A287 near Hook. His family described him as a devoted and generous husband and father. A second motorcyclist suffered serious injuries. The drivers of a BMW X3 and an LDV Maxus were arrested on suspicion of driving offences and later released under investigation. Police are appealing for information as inquiries continue.

Plans have been submitted for a 112‑home development on Green Belt land in Lingfield, with Fairfax Acquisitions arguing the project would help address housing shortages and affordability issues in Tandridge. The proposal outlines a landscaped layout retaining trees and hedgerows, though opponents have expressed concerns about building on protected land. Access would be via Crowhurst Road, with several footpaths and cycle routes bordering the site. A decision is expected on October 5.

A coroner found that failures by the British Transport Police to properly log and act on information about missing Surrey teenager Shay Middleton‑Pierce contributed to missed chances to locate him before his death in March 2025. Surrey Police tracked his movements and updated BTP, but the information was mishandled and not prioritised, and Surrey Police were not told BTP would not attend. BTP accepted the findings, acknowledged inadequate safeguards, and said it has since updated procedures and training to improve incident response and railway safeguarding.

Five scorpions were discovered abandoned in plastic tubs at Notcutts Garden Centre in Cranleigh, prompting an RSPCA investigation. The animals were left with minimal water and posed a risk due to the possibility of escape. They are now being cared for at RSPCA Brighton Reptile Rescue and available for rehoming. The RSPCA urges potential exotic pet owners to research proper care requirements and is seeking information related to the incident.

New ONS birth registration data for 2025 shows Olivia and Muhammad remain the most popular baby names in England and Wales, but several Surrey boroughs diverged from national trends. Reigate and Banstead favored Roman for boys, Surrey Heath chose Arlo, and Woking aligned with the national preference for Muhammad. For girls, Sienna topped lists in Woking and Epsom and Ewell, Margot rose sharply in Spelthorne, and Ottilie ranked unusually high in Runnymede. The data highlights local variations in naming preferences across Surrey.

Affinity Water will impose a hosepipe ban across parts of Surrey and its wider Central region from July 17 due to unprecedented water demand and reduced supply from Grafham Water reservoir. The company warns that demand is exceeding licensed supply limits, risking strain on water sources and potential disruption. Exemptions apply for vulnerable customers. The restrictions will remain until water resources recover sufficiently.

A 38-year-old man, Vilius Domarkas, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving after a van struck and killed a 65-year-old highways worker on the M23 near Horley. Emergency services responded shortly before 1am on July 8, with the victim pronounced dead at the scene. Domarkas was arrested immediately, charged the same day, appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court, and was remanded in custody ahead of a future hearing at Lewes Crown Court. Sussex Police continue to investigate and are appealing for witnesses or dashcam footage.

National Highways will close sections of the A3 in Guildford over consecutive weekends to repair aging bridge supports, waterproof the bridge deck and resurface the carriageway. The southbound A3 will shut between the Dennis and Stoke interchanges from Friday night to Monday morning, followed by a similar northbound closure the next weekend. Traffic will be diverted through Guildford town centre, with delays expected. Lane closures at the Dennis Roundabout will remain until December, accompanied by further overnight closures throughout the year.

A motorcyclist in his 40s remains in hospital with serious injuries following a collision with a Skoda Octavia on Old Woking Road. Police are investigating and seeking witnesses or dashcam footage, with no arrests made. Information can be provided directly to Surrey Police or anonymously via Crimestoppers.

The new M&S Foodhall in Godalming, located in a former Homebase, will open on July 16 as the retailer’s largest standalone food store, offering around 1,900 square metres of sales space. The site will feature expanded fresh produce areas, a larger bakery, multi‑temperature sections, a kitchen shop and a rotisserie counter, reflecting M&S’s strategy to grow its food business by investing in larger, family‑focused stores. Recent similar openings in Surrey signal the chain’s continued expansion, supported by comments from M&S Food Managing Director Alex Freudmann on improving value and doubling the food business.

David Lloyd has submitted plans to redevelop the former Pavilion Club in Molesey into a premium health, fitness and racquets centre featuring padel and tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pools, gym and studio spaces, and spa facilities. The proposal includes a building extension designed to match the existing structure, scaled down following feedback to keep its height consistent with the original pavilion. The plans follow the closure of the previous health club and nursery on the site, with the company positioning the project as an investment in local wellbeing. Planning documents were validated in late June, with a decision expected by September 23.

A highways worker from Kent died after being struck in a collision involving a van on the M23 near Junction 9 shortly before 1am. Police arrested the 38‑year‑old van driver from Croydon on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and drink driving. Officers appealed for witnesses and dashcam footage as the investigation continued until shortly before midday.

A Camberley man, Susil Pun, received a six‑year prison sentence after police discovered threatening and violent messages he sent to a former college classmate and her parents. The investigation began when he was reported missing, leading officers to find evidence of stalking, harassment and sexual and violent threats. Guildford Crown Court imposed a Stalking Protection Order and a victim surcharge. Police emphasised the seriousness of his obsessive behaviour and highlighted ongoing efforts to address violence against women and girls, while the victim’s father described the emotional impact on his daughter.

The Court of Appeal increased Robert Rhodes’s minimum life sentence for murdering his wife Dawn after ruling the original term unduly lenient. Judges found the killing was carefully planned, involved manipulation of the couple’s child, and included an attempted cover-up through self-inflicted injuries and false testimony. The panel highlighted the cruelty and exploitation of the child, concluding that the severity of the crime had not been fully reflected in the earlier sentence. Rhodes will now serve at least until 2057, with credit only for time already spent in custody.

A 66-year-old motorcyclist from Crawley was seriously injured in a collision involving a Royal Enfield motorcycle and a BMW X6 at the junction of Partridge Lane and Broad Lane in Newdigate. Surrey Police are appealing for witnesses and requesting any CCTV or dashcam footage to assist the investigation, with anonymous reports also accepted through Crimestoppers.

Major weekend closures of the A3 in Guildford will divert traffic through the town centre while National Highways repairs deteriorating concrete abutments and waterproofs the carriageway. Southbound lanes will shut from July 10 to 13, followed by northbound closures from July 17 to 20, with further overnight closures continuing into August and concrete repairs running until December. Drivers are advised to expect delays and allow extra travel time.

Bright orange banners on the former JD Sports site in Guildford indicate that Popeyes is preparing to open its first restaurant in Surrey. Although the chain has not made an official announcement, signage reading ‘Openin’ Soon’ and a recruitment QR code suggest the launch is imminent. Popeyes, founded in 1972 and now operating more than 4,000 locations worldwide, continues expanding across the UK with additional branches in London and Crawley.

A 20-year-old man, Amr Karim, has been charged with two counts of rape, two counts of attempted rape and one count of sexual assault by penetration following an alleged incident in a Manor Park property in Guildford on June 28. He was arrested on July 2 and is scheduled to appear at Guildford Magistrates’ Court. Surrey Police state that the victim is receiving specialist support and the investigation is ongoing.