Regent House Swifts - Protect the Wild

Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner must hold the police to account for failing to protect Swifts

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Dear Lisa Townsend,

I am writing to ask you to hold Surrey Police to account for their failure to act on warnings about a serious wildlife crime in Dorking.

In early May 2026, residents alerted Surrey Police Wildlife Officers that Common Swifts — a red-listed species fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 — were actively nesting in Regent House near Dorking station, and that demolition was imminent. Despite these warnings, Surrey Police took no action to prevent the demolition from proceeding during peak nesting season.

Between 17 and 22 active swift nests were subsequently destroyed during demolition works carried out by Northeast Demolition UK on behalf of Hill Group and Clarion Housing. Conservationists have described this as a significant wildlife crime. A crime reference number has been issued — 45260062539 — but at the time of writing, no enforcement action has been announced.

I am asking you to:

- Formally ask Surrey Police to explain why no preventative action was taken despite warnings from residents in early May

- Ensure Surrey Police's Wildlife Crime Officers treat this case as a priority

- Use your office to push for enforcement action against those responsible for authorising the demolition.

Wildlife laws exist for a reason. When police are warned in advance that a crime is about to be committed against a protected species and fail to act, there must be accountability. I urge you to use your powers to ensure Surrey Police answer for this failure.

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Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner must hold the police to account for failing to protect Swifts

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