New local policing priorities for Hertsmere

Tackling retail thefts, vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour are the issues the public have said they would like local policing teams across Hertsmere to focus on over the coming months.

Thanks to feedback from residents, each of the three Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNT) across the town have set their next round of local policing priorities for December to March.

SNTs consist of officers and PCSOs who work alongside local partners, to focus on solving long and short-term neighbourhood issues, such as anti-social behaviour, speeding, criminal damage, theft and drug related crime.

They are in addition to the 24/7 response officers, who deal with emergency calls, and the teams of detectives in the Local Crime Unit, who investigate the more serious crimes.

Over the coming months, residents will see their dedicated team of PCs and PCSOs working to address the following issues, through increased police presence, engagement events and targeted enforcement:

Borehamwood and Elstree

• To reduce the amount of retail thefts in the Boulevard and Shenley Road area of Borehamwood and increase the number of people arrested and put through the court system, with the aim of making the area a safer place to work and shop.

Potters Bar and Shenley

• Reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour affecting residents in the vicinity of the bus and railway station in Darkes Lane, Potters Bar.
• Reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour at Wyllyotts underground car park in Potters Bar, with a specific focus on graffiti and youths gathering.

Bushey and Radlett

• Aim to reduce vehicle crime in Bushey and Radlett. Conduct high visibility patrols, particularly in the hours of darkness to reduce theft from motor vehicles, theft of motor vehicles and motor vehicle interference. Attend and host community events to offer crime prevention advice around vehicle crime.
• Reduce anti-social behaviour around Harcourt Road and Moatfield Park in Bushey. Provide reassurance by conducting patrols and engaging with members of the public and shop keepers.
• Reduce residential burglaries in Radlett. Conduct high visibility patrols, particularly in the hours of darkness in residential areas, providing reassurance to members of the public. Promote community engagement events to offer crime prevention advice.

Neighbourhood Inspector Rachael Robertson said: “Feedback from members of the public plays a big part in the decision making and information provided via our community voice platform ‘echo’ is used to help shape the priorities, alongside an analysis of local data.

“We want to ensure that local policing resources are focusing on the issues that matter most, so I’d like to thank everyone who has taken the time to share their views with us.”

You can keep up to date with the work of your local SNT on Facebook by following the ‘Hertsmere Police’ page.