You Said We Did: Watford Neighbourhood Policing Team

Following the launch of Watford’s new set of priorities for the next four months, the Neighbourhood Policing Teams reflected on the last set of priorities and what was achieved, focusing on the issues and concerns raised by residents

You said: Address anti-social behaviour (ASB) in and around communal areas of Abbey and Munden View

We did: Extended a closure order on an address for a further three months (until June 2024).

We worked with Watford Community Housing Trust to ensure all CCTV and doors within the block of flats were repaired and working correctly.

Supported Watford FC Community Sports & Education Trust in delivering sports events at Meridan Community Centre over half-term to young people.

Conducted an ASB survey throughout the block to identify areas of concern.

As a result, we received no reports of anti-social behaviour at the location.

You said: Focus on thefts from individuals in Watford Town Centre

We did: Provided free of charge, anti-purse dipping measures and tools to vulnerable and elderly residents.

Displayed signage at problematic locations with high visibility proactive patrols to deter offences.

Provided crime prevention messages at various ‘Coffee with a Cop’ events in and around the town centre.

Worked with security staff at the Atria shopping centre to share information and intelligence on offences and suspect profiles.

Ran a number of plain-clothed operations in key town centre locations to identify potential suspects.

You said: Tackle theft of pedal cycles in Watford Town Centre

We did: Hosted numerous bike marking events, free of charge, which has equated to over 750 bikes security marked in Watford over the last two years.

Arrested and charged a suspected bike thief and instigated criminal behaviour proceedings against them.

Made a number of arrests and recovered suspected stolen pedal cycles in the town centre.

Displayed signage and preventative messaging in hotspot locations.

Worked cross-border on information sharing initiatives with colleagues from British Transport Police.

As a result, we have seen an overall reduction of 20% in bike thefts across the town for the year 2023/24.

Inspector Dan Jones from the Watford Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “It’s really important that residents keep speaking to us and raise their concerns. I hope these results show that we do act upon feedback and will take all the necessary steps to ensure we keep Watford a safe place to live and work.

“We will now be working towards a new set of priorities following feedback from residents which launched earlier this month.”

The new set of priorities will see a focus on:

• Drug dealing and youth-related anti-social behaviour in Rickmansworth Road (from Cassiobury Park to the Town Hall roundabout).
• Street drinking in and around St Mary’s Church Yard, Church car park and St Mary’s Road.
• Street related anti-social behaviour in St Albans Road (from Station Road to Balmoral Road).