POLICE and Crime Commissioner for Surrey David Munro has defended Surrey Police and its new ‘Policing in Your Neighbourhood’ model in the wake of criticism following a devastating ram raid on the Halifax bank in Farnham.

Police received reports of the raid at around 3am on Friday, August 17, and arrived to find a huge hole in the front of the Grade II-listed building, and a ten-tonne JCB ‘telehandler’ forklift abandoned in the middle of West Street.

The Herald believes it is at least the 35th such ATM theft in west Surrey and east Hampshire since February 2017, and the sixth in Surrey since the beginning of August alone.

Responding to the latest incident, a concerned member of the public, Matt Hieatt, posted an open letter to the PCC, and former Farnham councillor, Mr Munro on Facebook, and has to-date received just under 500 likes.

Mr Hieatt, a resident of the town for more than 20 years, wrote: “Just one question: do you still believe centralised policing is working? We are sick of this lawlessness that appears to be occurring around Farnham and surrounding villages.

“Bottom line is, these criminals know the police can not respond in time and see this as an easy and rich picking ground. I don’t blame the officers on the ground. This is due to poor policing strategy and management. The buck lies well and truly with you.”

Responding, Mr Munro said the force is doing “everything they can” to catch those responsible, adding ATM theft is a national issue with organised criminal gangs targeting rural locations across the country. The PCC, whose role includes holding the chief constable to account for tackling crime, added he is “confident [the chief constable] is doing all he can within the resources available”.

He continued: “Surrey’s new policing model has now had time to bed in, allowing officers and staff to balance demands from serious and complex crimes such as cybercrime, domestic abuse and child sexual exploitation with the need to retain the visible, local policing that I know is so valued by our communities.

“There are now more police officers in local teams than there were two years ago who are trained to deal with a wider range of policing problems but that balance is not always easy.

“It has been well documented that crime is rising nationally and I have previously said I believe local forces are running at the limit of their capabilities. We are no different here in Surrey and often difficult choices need to be made in how police resources are utilised.”

Surrey Police has also sought to reassure the public in the wake of the Farnham ram raid, and confirmed it is working with neighbouring forces to establish whether the raids are linked.

A police spokesman said: “These thefts will often take place in more isolated locations and some of our areas in Surrey are more vulnerable as they offer easy access to at least two other counties.

“We are also aware that historically offenders have travelled across the country to carry out such attacks and therefore have a wide choice of target locations.

“As a force, we are taking these seriously and carrying out enquiries where we can, utilising CCTV, forensics and witness evidence as best as possible.

“We are also liaising with other forces to identify organised crime groups which may be responsible for carrying out these offences.”

Halifax has declined to reveal how much cash was stolen in the raid, “for security reasons”, but a spokesman confirmed, given the extent of the damage to the building, the branch is likely to be closed for “a number of weeks”.

Two student flats above the bank have also been evacuated, with the sole occupant present at the time of the raid, Ellie, 21, telling the Herald she was woken up by what felt like “three earthquakes”.

The entire raid lasted just six or seven minutes, according to police at the scene, and remains of the ATM were found on the A31 from Hampshire towards Farnham. West Street remained closed for much of Friday following the raid.

Waverley Borough Council has also confirmed the JCB used in the raid was stolen from the Memorial Hall construction site just 500 metres from the bank - but the refurbishment of the hall remains on track despite the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting PR/ 45180088260.