Free bike-marking events in Welwyn Hatfield

Officers from the Welwyn Hatfield Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) are hosting free bike-marking events next week.

The first event takes place at Birchwood Leisure Centre in Longmead, Hatfield, on Tuesday 24 January from 10am to 2pm. There will be a crime prevention stall and free bike-marking which the team is encouraging residents to make us of. As well as the SNT, crime prevention officers will also be in attendance to give advice to residents.

The second event takes place outside Welwyn Garden City Police Station (Rosanne House) on Friday 27 January from 2pm to 6pm. Again, it will be an opportunity for residents to chat to their local officers as well as get their bikes security marked for free.

The events form part of the national Neighbourhood Policing Week which aims to highlight the vital role that neighbourhood officers play in communities. These officers are different from Response/Intervention officers who typically deal with 999 calls (although they often work alongside them). Instead, the focus of neighbourhood officers is on tackling local crime issues and anti-social behaviour, using long term problem-solving. They often work with local partners such as councils and schools to achieve this.

The Welwyn Hatfield SNT is split into three areas; North, West and South. Each area is led by a Sergeant and made up of PCs and PCSOs whilst an Inspector is responsible for the oversight of the whole team.

PC Darren Turner, from the West SNT, said: “We’re looking forward to meeting lots of residents at next week’s events and I strongly encourage the public to take up this offer of free bike-marking. Having your bike security-marked takes just seconds and it deters thieves as the bike becomes harder to sell on.

“These events aren’t just an opportunity to have your bike security-marked. We’re always keen to hear your views on local policing so please come along and have your say. If there’s something that’s been causing you a nuisance please come along and talk to us and we’ll do our very best to help you.” 

To receive police messages about a range of topics including burglaries, scams and missing people in your local area, sign up to OWL (opens in a new window) or download the ‘OWL crime alerts’ app from your app store.

You can use our community voice platform ‘echo’ to let us know what you think we should be prioritising in your area. Your feedback will help towards shaping our local policing priorities, initiatives and campaigns. Visit the following and tell us your thoughts.

Welwyn Hatfield North echo (opens in a new window) - Welwyn West, Welwyn East, Haldens, Sherrards, Handside, Peartree and Panshanger).

Welwyn Hatfield South echo (opens in a new window) - (Hollybush, Cuffley, Howlands, Northaw, Hatfield East, Hatfield South, Welham Green, Brookmans Park and Little Heath). 

Welwyn Hatfield West echo (opens in a new window) - (Hatfield Villages, Hatfield Central, Hatfield South West and the University of Hertfordshire).