East Herts Safer Town Centres – August update

Arrests have been made, safeguarding operations have been carried out and illegal vehicles have been seized as part of a continuing initiative to help keep town centres in East Herts safe.

The Safer Town Centres project brings together organisations and services including district and borough councils, police, Trading Standards and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in hotspot areas.

As part of the initiative, regular patrols are being carried out in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertford and Ware, engagement events are being held alongside partner agencies and retailers are being visited to pass on advice.

During the month of August:

• Several shoplifters were arrested.
• Operations were carried out during the evening to help deter and detect predatory behaviour and to give safety advice.
• Ask For Angela safety training was delivered thanks to funding from Bishop’s Stortford BID.
• A prolific shoplifter was spotted by officers on patrol and promptly left the area as a result.
• Crime prevention events were carried out.
• Officers attended local Pub Watch meetings to encourage closer working with licensed premises.
• An operation was carried out at Bishop’s Stortford train station to deter and detect criminals using the rail network.
• Officers patrolled the area around Ware train station, giving out advice around male violence against women and girls (MVAWG).
• E-scooters and an e-motorbike were seized for being ridden illegally.
• Section 59 warnings were issued for anti-social vehicle use.
• East Herts Council organised summer activities for young people in parks across the district.
• The policing minister visited Bishop’s Stortford alongside Chief Constable Prophet and Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards.

East Herts Neighbourhood Inspector Mark Collins said: “Following its launch at the start of July, the Safer Town Centres project has continued to yield some good results in East Herts over the summer.

“This work is continuing, through regular patrols and operations with our local partners.”