A major new initiative to ensure safer town centres across the county is being spearheaded by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire.

Jonathan Ash-Edwards is working with Hertfordshire Constabulary and partners to concentrate on our high streets to deliver higher visibility, improve public confidence and reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.

The initial campaign, Summer Town Centres for Hertfordshire, will start on June 30^th 2025 and run until the end of September.

Activity will include:

• Additional police patrols in town centres to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour and boost police visibility – continuing the success of Operation Hotspot
• The expansion of Operation Hotspot into two parks – Cassiobury Park in Watford and Hartham Common in Hertford – to increase patrols and improve safety in busy parks
• Action on retail crime, building on the PCC’s Retail Crime Forum
• Partnership working with local authorities and business groups to problem solve and increase crime prevention measures

It marks one of the first actions from the Commissioner’s recently launched Police and Crime Plan: Fighting Crime, Making Hertfordshire Safer which sets out several key priorities. These include safer neighbourhoods, strengthening local policing and ensuring towns are safe places which people can enjoy during the day and night.

The PCC will also be making grant funding available to local councils, community organisations and business improvement districts to support crime prevention initiatives.

Hertfordshire residents are being encouraged to have their say in a survey about safety in town centres to help shape the project. It can be completed at https://bit.ly/SummerTownHerts

The Commissioner launched Operation Hotspot last year in 26 locations, primarily town centres. In its first year, Operation Hotspot delivered over 26,000 of additional high visibility police patrols, cutting crime, anti-social behaviour and violence by 14.5%. This is carrying on for the next financial year.

Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Hertfordshire Police & Crime Commissioner, said:

“Hertfordshire is a safe county, with crime levels well below the national average. But we are not complacent and are working to make Hertfordshire safer.

“We want to build on Op Hotspot to drive down all crime in our town centres and parks. This summer there will be a concerted effort by the police to deliver targeted patrols, problem solving initiatives and to increased officer visibility.

“I will also be working with partners, including councils, for longer time crime reduction measures such as anti-social behaviour, street drinking, graffiti and the sale of illicit goods.

“We will all be working to strengthen community safety and tackle issues that matter most to residents – particularly in town centres, where more people are out shopping, socialising and enjoying the weather. Ensuring our town centres are thriving is critical to the success of Hertfordshire’s economy.

“Our civic centres and parks should be places where people of all ages feel safe while using. They should be vibrant and pleasant places to spend leisure time and money in local shops, and where retailers can operate free of theft and abuse.

“I am launching this project for the summer, but it is at the core of my Police and Crime Plan and it is just the start of activity which will carry on for the rest of the year and into the next.”

Town centres being covered include:

Hoddesdon, Waltham Cross, Berkhampsted, Hemel Hempstead, Bishop’s Stortford, Ware Hertford, Borehamwood, Hitchin, Letchworth Garden City, St Albans, Harpenden, Stevenage, Rickmansworth, Watford, Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield.

In addition extra measures will be focused on Hartham Common in Hertford and Cassiobury Park in Watford.

Work will be focused on reducing ASB, street crime, robbery and retail crime, plus protecting vulnerable individuals, particularly women and girls from harm, including those on nights out.

Road safety will also be addressed by tackling anti-social motorcycle riding and E-Scooters. Diversionary activities are also being organised to engage with younger people over the summer holidays.