Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards is marking Neighbourhood Policing Week 2025 by reaffirming his commitment to visible community-based policing.

Neighbourhood policing is at the heart of how Hertfordshire keeps communities safe and a core pillar of his Police and Crime Plan Fighting Crime, Making Hertfordshire Safer.

Local officers prevent crime, tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB), and build trust between residents and the police.

This national week of action highlights the essential contribution of neighbourhood officers, PCSOs, and Specials in towns and villages across the county.

In a survey undertaken by Mr Ash-Edward’s office, 88% said they feel safe in their neighbourhoods, but 70% said they would feel safer with more visible policing. The Commissioner’s Plan directly responds to that feedback, focusing on increased visibility and local problem-solving.

Speaking after joining a joint patrol in Hoddesdon with the Chief Constable Andy Prophet, Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Hertfordshire Police & Crime Commissioner, said:

“Neighbourhood policing is the bedrock of a safe and confident society. When people know their local officers, when they can raise concerns and see action taken, it builds trust and strengthens communities. This week is about celebrating that work and backing our neighbourhood teams with real investment.

“Hertfordshire Constabulary already has a record number of officers. Recently I secured an extra £3 million in Government funding for the recruitment of an additional 35 police officers and 20 Police Community Support Officers. These new officers are joining local policing teams to provide a further boost to visibility and neighbourhood coverage across Hertfordshire.

“We are backing our neighbourhood teams not just with words, but with action — with more officers, more PCSOs, and the tools and support they need to keep our communities safe. My Plan is clear: we will strengthen local policing, target hotspots, and focus on the issues that matter most to residents.

“I want every resident in Hertfordshire to know who their local officers are and to feel confident that their concerns will be taken seriously. Together we can build safer communities where anti-social behaviour, retail crime and violence are not tolerated.”

The benefits of local policing have been shown over the past year with Operation Hotspot, Hertfordshire Constabulary has delivered more than 26,000 hours of additional foot patrols through Operation Hotspot — a £1 million initiative funded by the Home Office. This is to be carried on across the county for the next year.

Throughout Neighbourhood Policing Week, officers are using their local knowledge to tackle all crime types, plus their commitment to the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.

For more information about the Commissioner’s work and the Police and Crime Plan, visit: www.herts-pcc.gov.uk