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A project aimed at keeping Hertford’s weekend night-time economy safe has been officially launched.
Funding for the scheme has been secured by the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office under the Government’s Safer Streets programme, with match funding provided by local partners.
The funding is being used to provide:
Hertfordshire Constabulary is working alongside East Herts Council and Hertford Town Council to deliver the project over an 18-month period, with support from local businesses.
Police, partner agencies and representatives from licensed premises came together for a launch event at Hertford Castle this month, to find out more about the project and the ways in which people can support it. The High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Annie Brewster, was also in attendance.
How is the project being delivered?
Project Vigilant
Project Vigilant is designed to protect both men and women from those displaying predatory behaviour. It is a perpetrator focused initiative, looking at identifying such behaviour and preventing offences from taking place. Several officers have received specialist training and will be conducting regular plain-clothed deployments during the night-time economy.
The project was originally devised by Thames Valley Police and is also running in Watford, Stevenage and North Herts.
Bystander training
Those who work within the night-time economy are being offered the chance to undertake specialist training in conjunction with Safer Places as part of the project. The training aims to raise awareness of the threats that may exist but are not necessarily obvious to the untrained eye, and the appropriate action to take if these behaviours are identified. More than 40 people associated with the local night-time economy have already undertaken this training, including Street Pastors.
Licensing SAVI
Bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants are being encouraged to sign up to the Licensing SAVI scheme – a self-assessment tool designed to help licensed premises provide a safer and more secure environment for their managers, staff, customers and local communities. It provides advice and guidance around topics such as drugs misuse, safeguarding vulnerable customers and preventing violent behaviour, including violence against women and girls. Ten premises have already signed up to the scheme.
During the launch event, guests heard inputs on the different strands of the project, as well as presentations around national safety schemes Ask For Angela and Ask For Clive.
East Herts Chief Inspector David Cooke said: “Everyone should be able to enjoy a safe night out and we’re committed to working with our partners and local businesses to ensure that remains the case. I’d like to thank everyone who has supported the Hertford Safer Streets project so far.”
Dr Amie Birkhamshaw, Deputy Chief Executive of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire, said: “The Safer Streets programme in Hertford marks our shared commitment to enhance public safety and address critical issues that affect the night-time economy.
“The launch event marked a very positive step in our joint efforts to stamp out criminal and anti-social behaviour in Hertford town centre.”
Members of the public are being encouraged to complete a feelings of safety survey, to help measure the success of the initiatives being implemented. You can find the survey on the Safer Streets section of our website where you can also keep up with the progress of the project.