Barn Meet in Hatfield to discuss rural crime

Around 50 people from the local community including farmers, landowners and members of farming associations attended a barn meet held at Hill End Farm on the Hatfield House estate.

The event, hosted by PCSOs from the Welwyn Hatfield Safer Neighbourhood Team, brought members of the local farming community together for a presentation from Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Lewis Cocking, Chief Constable Charlie Hall and the rural crime team, to reassure local farmers that the police are there for them.

The morning also allowed for people to take the opportunity to learn about different ways they can secure their vehicles as well as other crime prevention techniques, accompanied with refreshments for all.

Local farmers took the opportunity to share their feedback to the officers in attendance, as well as a Q&A which prompted different questions, including what type of incidents would require a 999 call and what incidents 111 would be more suitable for.

Mr Cocking said: “It is very useful to hear first-hand about those issues affecting farmers and our rural communities, and to let them know what is being done, and where more work needs to be done.

“People in remote locations can feel frightened and intimidated by criminals who come on to private land to steal, fly-tip or hare course. Hertfordshire has a dedicated rural policing team and we are always looking at ways those in our rural areas can feel safer and be better protected.”

Chief Constable Charlie Hall said: “It was a great opportunity this morning to meet some of the local farming community across Welwyn Hatfield and the surrounding areas, including St Albans and Hertsmere.

“One of our priorities is to assure the public that we are there to assist them with keeping the rural community safe from criminality and I feel that today was a great chance to do that.

“These events are valuable for Hertfordshire Constabulary to engage with these communities and explore the issues.  We will be looking to arrange similar events elsewhere in the county later in the year”.

You can use our community voice platform ‘echo’ to let the police know what you think we should be prioritising in Welwyn Hatfield. Your feedback will help towards shaping our local policing priorities, initiatives and campaigns. 

Welwyn Hatfield North – bit.ly/police-whnorth (Welwyn West, Welwyn East, Haldens, Sherrards, Handside, Peartree and Panshanger)

Welwyn Hatfield South – bit.ly/police-whsouth (Hollybush, Cuffley, Howlands, Northaw, Hatfield East, Hatfield South, Welham Green, Brookmans Park and Little Heath)

Welwyn Hatfield West – bit.ly/police-whwest (Hatfield Villages, Hatfield Central, Hatfield South West and the University of Hertfordshire)