Officers host crime prevention event for local business community

The Welwyn Hatfield Neighbourhood Policing Team hosted a successful crime prevention event for the local business community on Tuesday (19 August).

The event took place at the Howard Centre in Welwyn Garden City and was supported by the Welwyn Garden City BID (Business Improvement District).

Information stalls were hosted by the Neighbourhood Policing Team, crime prevention officers and cybercrime experts. Chief Constable Andy Prophet also attended the event.

Whilst the event was aimed at the business community, all locals were welcome to drop by for information and advice. Residents were encouraged to sign up to Herts Connected, the constabulary’s messaging service which keeps locals up-to-date with police news.

Business owners can also sign up to Herts Connected to receive messages that affect the business community. In the last seven days, an extra 14 businesses from within the town centre have signed up.

In addition to the information stalls, officers were out on patrol in the town centre as part of Operation Hotspot and the Safer Town Centres initiative.

Operation Hotspot is an initiative to tackle anti-social behaviour and serious violence in hotspot areas across the county whilst the Safer Town Centres initiative sees an increased police presence in town centres.

There was a good result during these patrols as officers seized an e-scooter.

Officers also took the opportunity to visit shops and businesses who were unable to attend the event. They were encouraged to sign up to Shop Watch, an information sharing platform where police issue regular crime prevention advice to retail stores.

Sergeant Deane Brittain, from the Welwyn Hatfield Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Offences against businesses can take a variety of forms and have a real impact on both individuals and communities. This event has given us the chance to build on our regular patrols and engagement and reassure businesses that we take retail crime seriously.”

Chief Constable Andy Prophet said: “It was great to spend some time with the Welwyn Hatfield Neighbourhood Team as they hosted this event alongside other hard working colleagues. I hope that the businesses we spoke to now feel better equipped to reduce offences and know how to report crime, should it occur.

“I am pleased to see the ongoing positive impact of Operation Hotspot and the Safer Town Centres initiative. I hope that residents are also feeling reassured by the increased police presence in our town centres.”

Join the ‘Herts Connected’ community messaging service to keep up to date with what’s happening in your local area. Select ‘police’ when you sign up (opens in a new window).

You can also use the Herts Connected platform 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 Herts Connected (opens in a new window) and tell us your thoughts.