Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards has welcomed national Anti-Social Behaviour awareness week as figures show hundreds of extra cases are being tackled.

Running from Monday 18 – Sunday 24 November, ASB Awareness Week aims to encourage communities to take a stand against ASB and highlight the actions that can be taken by those experiencing it.

Shortly after taking office in May this year Mr Ash-Edwards announced a determination to crackdown on ASB with the launch of the Operation Hotspot. His office secured an extra £1m Home Office funding to provide additional foot patrols across the county.

These are being targeted in identified hotspot areas across the county, on top of normal daily business, to help reduce anti-social behaviour and serious violence.

In the past five months there have been 591 cases where officers have used additional powers to address ASB behaviour including dispersal orders, Community Protection Warning Notices and Public Space Protection Orders.

Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards said:

“Hertfordshire residents have told me they want to see visible and responsive policing, tackling anti-social behaviour and disorder in communities. That is what Operation Hotspot is delivering.

“I wanted to mark ASB Awareness Week by reassuring people that action is being taken to address the actions of a small minority which can disrupt the lives of others.

“As well as making additional arrests and taking weapons off our streets, the figures show that since the launch of Op Hotspot almost 600 other measures have been taken to reduce ASB through the use of proactive policing powers.

“These high visibility patrols are designed to deter and catch people committing offences, as well as boosting engagement with residents and businesses.

“I would encourage individuals who experience anti-social behaviour to report it to their local authorities or police. By coming forward, you can help ensure that communities receive the support and interventions they need, and that ASB is addressed effectively.”

Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week, is held annually by the charity, Resolve ASB. The week brings together government, policing, councils, and communities to raise awareness of the impact of anti-social behaviour and promote collaborative efforts with the goal of making communities safer.

Following an analysis of data, Operation Hotspot is running in the following areas: Bishop’s Stortford, Hertford, Hitchin, St Albans, Rickmansworth, South Oxhey, Borehamwood, Watford, Stevenage, Hemel Hempstead, Welwyn Garden City and Waltham Cross.