New Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire Jonathan Ash-Edwards has been sworn in for his four-year term in office.

The news was announced at Mr Ash-Edwards started his first official day in the role at his office based at Harpenden Police Station on Thursday (May 9).

The Declaration of Acceptance of Office is an important symbol of the Commissioner's open and transparent approach and the aim of being truly accountable to the public.

Mr Ash-Edwards said: “I am honoured to have been elected to serve as Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner for the next four years and greatly looking forward to the work ahead.

“Our county already has one of the lowest crime rates in the country and I am determined to build on that foundation, while accepting there is more that can be done.

“It is important that I work with everybody to reduce crime and harm across the county. The public need to know they can influence what happens in their neighbourhoods and I invite them to tell me what they want from their policing service.

“Hertfordshire has more police officers than ever before and I know that people want to see that translating into visible and responsive local police to make our communities even safer. My priority now is to get to work on delivering on the promises I have made and publishing a new Police and Crime Plan which will deliver results.”

The wording of the oath is set in law by the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections (Declaration of Acceptance of Office) Order 2012.

The ceremony took place after Mr Ash-Edwards was announced as the winning candidate following the election. It was conducted by Police Area Returning Officer Jeff Stack at the Laura Trott Leisure Centre, in Broxbourne, on Saturday after he declared the winner.

Through the Declaration of Acceptance of Office Mr Ash-Edwards promises to serve all the people of Hertfordshire with integrity and diligence to cut crime and protect the public. He also pledges to give a voice to the public, especially victims of crime, and work with other services to ensure the safety of the community and effective criminal justice, while at all times not interfering with the operational independence of police officers.

The PCC is responsible for the way policing is delivered in the county. They decide how funding related to policing and crime reduction is allocated and set a Police and Crime Plan which sets the strategic direction and objectives of the force. They also bring together community safety and criminal justice partners to ensure local priorities are joined up.