Safer Town Centres initiative yields results in Borehamwood

Arrests have been made, offenders have been jailed and drugs have been recovered as part of an initiative to help keep Borehamwood town centre safe this summer.

The Safer Town Centres project brings together organisations and services including district and borough councils, police, Trading Standards and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in hotspot areas.

Regular patrols are being carried out, engagement events have been held alongside partner agencies and retailers have been visited to pass on advice. This work will continue throughout the summer.

During the month of July:

• Six people were arrested in connection with shoplifting offences.
• A prolific shoplifter, who was already on a suspended sentence, was jailed for 18 weeks.
• A prolific shoplifter was given a Criminal Behaviour Order, preventing him from entering Borehamwood for two years.
• A prolific shoplifter was given a community order banning him from entering several retailers.
• A man was arrested in connection with persistent anti-social behaviour.
• A knife was recovered during a stop search.
• A woman was given a conditional caution for possession of a controlled substance.
• Class B drugs were seized, with community resolutions issued.
• Stolen goods were recovered.
• Police worked with the Hertfordshire CCTV Partnership to identify and locate offenders.

Hertsmere Neighbourhood Inspector Rachael Robertson said: “We recognise both the social and economic impact that crime and anti-social behaviour can have on our town centres. It is vital that those who live, work and visit feel safe in Hertsmere and we continue to work with our partners to ensure this is the case.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards said: “Hertfordshire is a safe county, with crime levels well below the national average. But we are not complacent and are working to make the county safer.

“This summer there will be a concerted effort by the police to deliver targeted patrols, problem solving initiatives and to increase officer visibility. It’s great to see the results being achieved in Borehamwood.”