You Said, We Did – new St Albans district neighbourhood priorities set

The latest neighbourhood priorities have been set for the St Albans district following feedback from local residents.

Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPT) also analyse data to identify specific issues causing the most concern.  They then work alongside partners to focus on solving long and short-term neighbourhood issues, including anti-social behaviour, speeding and drug-related crime.

Residents can expect to see their dedicated team of PCs and PCSOs across the St Albans district working alongside partners to address the following agreed priorities, through an increased police presence, engagement events and targeted enforcement.

St Albans Central, North & West

You said: Reduce anti-social behaviour (ASB), drug dealing and drug use around St Peters Churchyard.

During our daily patrols at the church yard, two people were issued out of court disposals for possession of cannabis at the end of April.

You said: Reduce ASB at the Cottonmill Cycling and Community Centre.

Previously, the neighbourhood priorities for St Albans Central, North & West, were:

You said: Reduce ASB, drug use and drug dealing along the Alban Way between Dellfields and Morrisons.

We did:

• Increased high visibility patrols
• Supported by covert police patrols
• Carried out stop searches and seized weapons and drugs.

You said: Reduce ASB in the evening and weekends at Griffiths Way Retail Park.

We did:

• Conducted high visibility patrols.
• Identified and spoke to those involved.
• Worked with local businesses at the retail park, which included sharing crime prevention advice.

This intervention has resulted in a decrease in reports of anti-social behaviour on the Alban Way and at Griffiths Park, however the NPT will continue patrols and monitor reported incidents.

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Harpenden and rural

It was agreed that work needs to continue on two of the previous neighbourhood priorities, which are:

You said: Speeding around the district.

We are doing:

• Used the speed van and speed gun to issue four traffic offence reports for excessive speeding – where speeding drivers can expect fines, points on their licence or they could be summonsed directly to court.
• Seized a vehicle for having no insurance and issued tickets for other motoring offences, including not using a seatbelt and using mobile devices whilst driving.
• Continue to use the speed gun on roads identified by residents as causing a problem for the safety of all road users.

You said: ASB around local parks, including drinking alcohol, smoking drugs and loud and abusive behaviour.

We are doing:

• Increased high-visibility and covert patrols.
• Used e-bikes and foot patrols to provide a reassuring presence.
• We work closely with the local town councils to ensure green spaces are a place to be enjoyed.

The previous neighbourhood priority, you said, was prevent burglaries.

We did: We conducted both proactive and plain clothes operations. Targeted streets and locations which had been affected by recent burglaries ensuring crime prevention was given and residents spoken to.

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London Colney, St Stephen and St Albans East

The London Colney neighbourhood priorities have stayed the same as more work needs to be done to address these issues.

You said: Drug use (cannabis) and public order offences at Oaklands College and the surrounding area by Wynchlands Crescent.

We are doing:

• Increased high visibility patrols.
• PCSO Louise Traxon is working with the college.
• Four teenagers were arrested for possession of cannabis in Wynchlands Crescent last week.

You said: Anti-social use of vehicles at Starbucks, North Orbital Road, Chiswell Green and the surrounding roads and racing on the A405 and A414.

We are doing:

This is a long-term priority which has involved a number of agencies:

• Overt and covert police patrols at peak times.
• Work with Starbucks to introduce deterrent measures including gates and reducing opening hours.
• Work with the Police and Crime Commissioner, Herts County Council and Starbucks to use acoustic cameras on the A414 – offending vehicles will be issued with a S59 warning. If they or their vehicle is caught a second time, their vehicle will be seized and crushed.

You said: Tackle speeding and mobile phone offences, including HGVs driving on restricted roads and people riding e-scooters illegally.

We are doing:

• Identified 10 roads in Colney Heath, Bricket Wood, Shenley Lane, Watling Street and Watford Road. This may change if an issue arises elsewhere.
• Several traffic offence reports have been issued which may result in fines, points on driving licences or being summonsed directly to court.
• Ongoing speeding operations.
• Work with HGV companies to remind them of the road restriction for HGVs.

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