PCC secures continuation of successful crime hotspot patrols after Government funding cut

Thousands of extra police patrol hours, hundreds of arrests and more than 100 weapons seized as Hertfordshire's hotspot policing programme continues thanks to local funding secured by the Police and Crime Commissioner. 

A successful policing initiative that has delivered major reductions in crime and anti-social behaviour across Hertfordshire has been saved after Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards worked with Hertfordshire Constabulary to maintain funding following the Government's decision to end the national Hotspot Action Fund.  

Operation Hotspot provides additional high-visibility patrols in the areas that need it the most, targeting the locations and times where offending is most likely to occur. 

Since launching in April 2024, the initiative has delivered more than 50,000 hours of additional patrols, resulting in hundreds of arrests, stop searches and weapons seizures while helping to drive down crime and anti-social behaviour.  

The programme's achievements include: 

• More than 50,000 additional patrol hours delivered. 

• More than 700 arrests.  

• More than 100 knives and weapons removed from the streets.  

• More than 1,300 stop searches. 

• Over 3,200 uses of anti-social behaviour powers.  

The Hotspot patrols had seen a reduction in crime across Hertfordshire with a 

• A 42% reduction in personal robbery across hotspot areas
• A 14% reduction in business robbery across hotspot areas
• An 8% reduction in assaults resulting in injury across hotspot areas 

The success of hotspot policing led to concern earlier this year when the Government announced the national Hotspot Action Fund would end. At the time, Jonathan Ash-Edwards warned that visible patrols were at risk and publicly campaigned against the decision.  

Rather than allow the programme to end, the PCC worked with Hertfordshire Constabulary to secure continued local funding to keep hotspot policing operating in Hertfordshire. The continuation of the programme means residents will continue to see additional officers patrolling town centres and other crime hotspots.  

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

"Operation Hotspot has been one of the most successful crime reduction initiatives we've seen in Hertfordshire in recent years. 

"The results speak for themselves. More visible patrols have led to hundreds of arrests, dangerous weapons being taken off our streets and a significant reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour in hotspot locations. 

"When the Government decided to end the national funding, I was clear that I did not want Hertfordshire to lose a programme that is proven to work. The public want to see more visible policing and they want action against crime and anti-social behaviour. 

"That's why I stepped in to support the continuation of hotspot policing in Hertfordshire. These patrols are making our communities safer, protecting residents and businesses, and helping police target offenders where they cause the most harm. 

"It shows why local decisions matter; they deliver results in the places communities want to see them most." 

Operation Hotspot combines targeted patrols with wider problem-solving work, including CCTV improvements, crime prevention initiatives and partnership activity designed to tackle the underlying causes of crime and anti-social behaviour in hotspot locations.