PCC sets priorities with new Police and Crime Plan to make Hertfordshire safer

The Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards today launched an ambitious Police and Crime Plan to ensure Hertfordshire remains one of the safest counties in the country. 

His plan, Fighting Crime, Making Hertfordshire Safer, outlines the strategic objectives for policing, community safety, and crime prevention. It provides a clear focus for his first term in office and for Hertfordshire Constabulary to reduce crime, catch criminals, and keep people safe. 

The Commissioner’s local priorities for the next five years are based on extensive feedback from a public consultation in which thousands of residents gave their views to help shape policing in Hertfordshire. 

The plan outlines five key priorities to strengthen local policing and enhance public confidence. 

1. Make Hertfordshire Safer: Emphasizing crime prevention, early intervention, and partnership working to create safer neighbourhoods. 
2. Strengthen Local Policing and Build Public Confidence: Increasing police visibility and community engagement to improve trust and reduce crime.
3. Tackle Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour: Addressing hotspots of crime and anti-social behaviour to ensure communities feel safe.
4. Protect People from Violence, Abuse, and Exploitation: Focusing on preventing and disrupting high-harm crimes, particularly violence against women and girls.
5. Bring Offenders to Justice and Support Victims: Enhancing the efficiency of the criminal justice system and providing robust support for victims. 

Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire, said:  

"Hertfordshire is a great place to live and work, and maintaining public safety is integral to protecting the quality of life and economic success of our county. This plan sets out how we will reduce crime, catch criminals, and keep people safe." 

"Public confidence in policing is strong in Hertfordshire, with 78% of residents telling me in a survey last year they felt the police are doing a good or excellent job in their area. We aim to build on this through visible, proactive local policing and strong community relationships." 

"Making Hertfordshire safer is not something the police can do alone. We will work with residents, businesses, voluntary groups, local authorities, and public services to achieve our goals. 

"Crime and anti-social behaviour should not be accepted as inevitable. We can and must prevent, reduce, and solve more of it to improve the quality of life for people across Hertfordshire”. 

Chief Constable Andy Prophet said: “I share the Commissioner’s ambition to make Hertfordshire one of the safest places in the country, to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour and bring offenders to justice. 

“I, and my team of dedicated officers, staff and volunteers, look forward to working with the Commissioner to serve this great county and to improve community safety and the quality of life for all our residents.” 

The plan was officially unveiled at the charity Resolve, based in Letchworth Garden City, today (May 23rd). Resolve works with people who need substance misuse treatment, are homeless, or experiencing poverty. 

The event was also attended by community leaders and key stakeholders who work with victims and offenders. 

The plan also outlines the PCC's commitment to engaging with the community and ensuring accountability. Regular public consultations and surveys will be conducted to gather feedback and ensure that policing priorities align with the needs and concerns of Hertfordshire residents. 

Another aim of the plan, alongside the work of the Chief Constable, is to help improve the force’s ratings from His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services  report last year. 

The Police Commissioner’s new Police and Crime Plan can be read or downloaded from www.herts-pcc.gov.uk/your-pcc/police-and-crime-plan. You can also request a printed copy of the Plan by emailing [email protected] or calling 01707 806100.