‘You said, we did’ – update on St Albans neighbourhood priorities

Work still needs to be done to deal with some of the neighbourhood policing issues you have raised locally in St Albans, Harpenden and London Colney so most of the priorities will remain for at least the next four months.

NPTs work alongside partners to focus on solving long and short-term neighbourhood issues, such as anti-social behaviour, theft, speeding and drug-related crime.

Using an analysis of data, they set local policing priorities every four months, to provide a specific focus on the issues which are currently causing the most concern to residents locally. Feedback from members of the public also plays a vital part.

Residents will see their dedicated team of PCs and PCSOs working alongside partners to address the agreed priorities below, through an increased police presence, engagement events and targeted enforcement.

St Albans Central, North & West – there are now two neighbourhood priorities, instead of three - one continues and speeding on specific roads will be tackled during the next four months.

Previously you said: Tackle anti-social behaviour, moped use and crime on the Alban Way.

We did: We carried out regular patrols along the Alban Way from Sopwell to Clarence wards with Operation Scorpion colleagues, have completed stop searches where grounds exist and completed weapon sweeps. 

We will continue to patrol the Alban Way for the safety of all users, but this no longer remains a neighbourhood priority following a reduction in reported incidents and crime reports.

 

The current two St Albans Central, North and West neighbourhood priorities are:

You said: Reduce anti-social behaviour, street drinking, begging and associated crime in the city centre.

We are doing: We patrol the city centre including the rose gardens and St Peter’s Street with colleagues from response teams regularly to deter street drinking, begging and anti-social behaviour. We have seized dozens of bottles of alcohol in the last four months which were being consumed in breach of the designated Public Space Protection Order (PSPO). We have also removed people who were drunk or disorderly from licenced premises. We continue to work closely with St Albans City and District Council, night shelters including Open Door and CGL Spectrum to support those wanting help with their addictions.

**New neighbourhood priority**

You said: Speeding in Beech Road, Batchwood Drive, the A1081 Harpenden Road and Marshalswick Lane.

We are doing: We will be doing regular speed operations using the speed indication device to send warning letters to drivers followed up with enforcement action using the speed gun where drivers can expect fines, points or for excessive speed, or summonsed directly to court. It’s 30mph for a reason – slow down!

Harpenden rural – these neighbourhood priorities remain following feedback from residents.

 

You said: Tackle speeding in Sandridge, Wheathampstead, Harpenden and Redbourn.

We are doing: We have been carrying out regular speed enforcement, supporting the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Drivesafe scheme on roads including Redbourn Road, Marford Road, Lower Luton Road, Brewhouse Hill, Lower Luton Road, Station Road, St Albans Road, Harpenden Road, Luton Road and roads near local schools.

 

You said: Tackle thefts from insecure vehicles and theft of motor vehicles.

We are doing: We have extended this priority to include theft of motor vehicles following an increase in Harpenden, Redbourn and Wheathampstead. In the last four months, 14 keyless vehicles have been stolen.

 

We continue to use both uniformed and plain-clothed officers on patrols to deter and catch suspects.  Four people have been arrested and charged in the last four months for theft from motor vehicles and are currently waiting court dates.  We have also run operations to find vehicles that have been left unlocked and hundreds have been found insecure. Officers have reminded owners to lock their vehicles and remove belongings when parked, even on a driveway, as not doing so creates easy opportunities for thieves. We have also fitted anti-number plate theft screws, used catalytic converter smart water marking kits and given out Faraday bags to prevent ‘keyless thefts’ of vehicles. Due to the proactive work conducted by the NPT we have had a significant decrease in vehicle crime.

 

On Monday 13 May, a woman was sentenced to six weeks imprisonment for vehicle interference in Harpenden and St Albans following swift action by your neighbourhood team.

You said: Tackle drug and alcohol use and associated anti-social behaviour in parks including Rothamsted Park.

We are doing: Rothamsted Park was identified as an issue. We patrol the parks and use orders and enforcement to deal with anti-social behaviour.  We have seized alcohol and issuing warnings to some involved and have seen a reduction in criminal damage since the introduction of CCTV cameras by Harpenden Town Council. We will continue high-visibility patrols in these areas and other local parks.

 

London Colney, St Stephens and St Albans East – two of these priorities remain the same for at least the next four months and one will be treated as business as usual.

Previously, you said: Tackle anti-social riding of bikes in Lye Lane, Bricket Wood and Napsbury Park, London Colney.

We did: This was a neighbourhood policing priority previously. Following targeted patrols, we issued warnings to 24 riders. If they are caught again – they risk having their bikes seized and crushed. The number of reports has significantly decreased as a result.

 

The two current priorities are:

You said: Tackle the anti-social use of vehicles at Starbucks, North Orbital Road in Chiswell Green and vehicles racing on the A405 and A414.

We are doing: Regular proactive and covert police patrols continue to take place with the number of calls decreasing over the winter months.  We have issued 15 ‘Section 59’ warnings, prohibiting drivers from using vehicles in an anti-social manner for 12 months. If they breach the warning, we can seize their vehicle. We are continuing overt and covert patrols in the area to identify drivers causing anti-social driving. We are in regular contact with staff and residents. Starbucks are investing money to help reduce the issues, with work starting at the end of the summer.

 

You said: Speeding, mobile offences and HGVs using restricted roads in Colney Heath and Mount Pleasant Lane in Bricket Wood.

We are doing: We have added HGV issues at Mount Pleasant Lane in Bricket Wood following a growing number of reports. Many speed enforcement operations have taken place with many drivers receiving verbal warnings and four drivers have been summoned to court for excess speed and one driver summoned for using a mobile phone whilst driving.

We ran another special operation recently targeting HGV drivers using Colney Heath as a cut through. Drivers were spoken to - the majority had proof of delivery in the area, other drivers were given verbal warnings and contact was made with company directors. We are looking to hold further enforcement over the coming months.

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Whilst there will be a focus on the local priorities, officers will continue to respond to daily business as usual, as well as forcewide priorities and any emerging issues which require more immediate action.

The area is also policed by Intervention officers who respond to emergency calls, the Local Crime Unit which investigates the more serious crimes such as burglary, robbery and assault, and specialist units such as Operation Scorpion who work to tackle acquisitive crime. In addition, they can utilise officers from central teams which work countywide.

St Albans district Neighbourhood Inspector Paul Caro said: “I’d like to thank everyone who gave us their views, your feedback is so important and helps ensure we’re focusing our efforts on what matters most to local people.

“We’ll be working to tackle these issues over the coming months, alongside our usual daily business. You can keep up with what the teams are doing via our social media channels and our new community messaging system Herts Connected.