PCC and Council Leader discuss crime issues in Welwyn Hatfield

Crime issues and concerns in Welwyn Garden City were discussed when the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire met the Borough Council Leader.

David Lloyd visited Tony Kingsbury at the council offices before they joined Sgt Cameron Abraham and PCSO Emma Carson on a patrol of the town, with Cllr Bernard Sarson, the Executive Member for Community Safety and Parking.

Issues which were raised included anti-social behaviour, after a recent spate of people getting on to roofs of empty buildings, and shoplifting.

Another concern is county line drug dealing, where gang members are travelling out of London to recruit local people to supply drugs.  

Mr Lloyd said: “I have been talking to local leaders to see how we can drive down crime. We have seen some really good outcomes, and burglary is significantly down. We are working together as a community with the council to ensure that people are safer.”

“We have also been discussing about how we can drive crime down further, that includes increasing visibility so that drug dealing is reduced even further in the area.

“Shoplifting and anti-social behaviour have also been highlighted, the constabulary are doing their bit by making sure there are visible patrols out there so the community are reassured.

“We have also discussed the crime which is caused by county lines, and how a multi-agency approach is needed. Often the people recruited by these gangs are children and they need support from schools, children’s services and the police to make sure they have the right start in life.

Cllr Kingsbury added: “It has been really useful walking around with David and the police looking at various aspects of the town centre and hearing what issues there are, and what we can do to address those.

“Particularly around drug use and dealing, and the police are working really hard to stop this with help from our staff.

“We have a Community Safety Partnership which is part of the multi-agency approach to tackling crime. This includes finding activities for young people to do, to stop them getting involved in drugs and other crime.

“There are also council staff who engage with people who sleep rough on the streets to help them and provide assistance.”