Borehamwood police station extension almost completed

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Lewis Cocking was given a tour of the extended Borehamwood police station during a fact-finding visit to Hertsmere.

New facilities are being provided for officers and the public at the station which is housed inside the Hertsmere Civic Offices in Elstree Way.

The visit was part of a Hertsmere District Day during which the Deputy PCC also visited crime reduction initiatives including a knife amnesty bin, and heard from a headteacher who has launched a scheme to keep her pupils away from gangs. 

The day started at the police station with Chief Inspector Mark Bilsdon leading the officer team meeting which included reports of a shop burglary, two stolen cars and a missing person.

He then showed Mr Cocking around the new parts of the station which will increase the space available by 50 per cent, and is expected to be finished by the end of the year. A new locker room and Tazer storage area have been built, alongside a larger briefing room from pre-patrol meetings. Additional rooms have also been created to enable the public to come in to give statements and for interviews to take place.

Mr Cocking then went out on patrol with Sgt Matt Cann where they visited Cowley Hill which is one of the most deprived areas in Hertfordshire. The police have been working with partner agencies including the council and a housing trust to use Safer Streets funding to renovate and design out crime from an estate.

Next stop was a jobs fair organised by Hertsmere Borough Council with the Hertfordshire Careers Hub at the Double Tree Hilton hotel. Hundreds of pupils attended the event which included a stall from the Hertfordshire Police recruitment team who are helping to grow the county’s largest every force.

Over a working lunch at the council officers, Mr Cocking met with Deputy Leader Cllr Caroline Clapper, Portfolio holder for Community Safety Cllr Pervez Choudhury and  Managing Director Sajida Bjile to discuss how joint working can keep people safer.

The day was rounded off with a discussion with inspiring Sarah Kneller, Head teacher of Summerswood Primary School in Borehamwood. She has worked with the council to host a Making Positive Changes three-day event at a school which teaches children about the dangers of gangs and criminality.

Mr Cocking said: “It has been a very informative day during which I have seen a lot of positive work which is going on to reduce crime across the borough.

“There are over 130 dedicated police officers and staff who work at Borehamwood station, and more are on the way. The existing and additional officers need extra space to be able to serve the public to the best of their ability, and it is great to see the building work is almost finished.

“I have taken away several ideas from today, including how changes to housing can reduce crime and the fantastic work being done by Miss Kneller to steer children away from the wrong choices.”