Violent crime and ASB down following dedicated operation in St Albans

Violent crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) is down by 11 per cent in St Albans city centre following targeted high-visibility patrols being carried out under Operation Hotspot.

Fourteen people have been arrested, 13 stop searches have been carried out and two knives have been recovered during the Police and Crime Commissioner’s initiative to provide extra patrols in identified hotspot areas.

St Albans city centre was identified as one of the hotspot areas in the county.  As a result, officers have clocked up an impressive 800 extra hours of high-visibility patrols since May, when the funding was agreed.

ASB legislation has also been utilised 95 times which includes use of powers granted under a Public Space Protection Order obtained through the courts by St Albans District Council. This empowers officers to request individual’s hand over alcohol being consumed within a defined area and tackles street drinking and associated ASB.

St Albans Neighbourhood Inspector Paul Caro said: “We are already seeing some great results following this targeted operation, which is in addition to normal daily business. Our focus is on anti-social behaviour including ASB involving young people, street drinking and the prevention of violent offences. We are making it even harder for anyone to come into our city to commit violent crime or cause anti-social behaviour.

“We have also issued five Community Protection Warnings (CPW) and three Community Protection Notices (CPN), which put conditions on an individual to protect the wider community and address their behaviour. If they breach the condition of a CPN, they can be arrested.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards said: “Hertfordshire residents have told me they want to see visible and responsive policing, tackling anti-social behaviour and disorder in communities. That is what Operation Hotspot is delivering.

“These high visibility patrols are designed to deter and catch people committing offences, as well as boosting engagement with residents and businesses.”

Following an analysis of data, Op Hotspot is running in the following areas: Bishop’s Stortford, Hertford, Hitchin, St Albans, Rickmansworth, South Oxhey, Borehamwood, Watford, Stevenage, Hemel Hempstead, Welwyn Garden City and Waltham Cross.