Neighbourhood priority update - educating drivers about vehicle related ASB in Chiswell Green

Vehicle-related anti-social behaviour around Starbucks and along the A405 North Orbital Road in Chiswell Green, St Albans, has been a long-standing neighbourhood priority, with issues including illegal car meets, dangerous driving and excessive noise.

Over the past year, a pilot acoustic monitoring technology project—funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner—has been implemented following years of joint work with partners including Hertfordshire Highways, Hertfordshire County Council, local councillors, residents and Burston Garden Centre. 

Whilst residents have reported a decrease in the volume of anti-social driving/noise, the project has moved into a more proactive stage whereby drivers whose vehicles are found to be emitting significantly more noise than the average recorded will receive an educational letter. The letter seeks to remind drivers of the laws concerning noise, exhaust modifications, as well as driver behaviour. 

Should the same vehicle be caught more than twice, alternative resolutions, including enforcement, may be considered.   

Neighbourhood Sergeant Hannah McLaughlin said: “We hope it won’t come to that. We want to educate drivers first. This has been a complex, long-term priority, and since the cameras have been in place, reports of anti-social driving have reduced.” 

Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire, said: “Anti-social driving on the A405 has caused nuisance and blight for residents and work for the neighbourhood policing team for years. As well as the impact on the community, anti-social and dangerous driving is a key contributor to people being seriously injured in collisions on our roads. That’s why I funded the introduction of acoustic cameras on the A405, the first time this technology has been used in Hertfordshire. 

“The technology will build on the work done by the neighbourhood policing team and will be an important tool to identify vehicles causing a nuisance and allow the police to take action, ultimately leading to the potential for vehicles to be seized if drivers don’t heed educational warning letters. I hope this will be a practical step that will bring some relief to the local community and make a busy road safer for all”. 

As part of #ASBawarenessWeek, we’re highlighting how neighbourhood teams are using data and technology to tackle issues that matter most to our communities. 

ASB is behaviour that causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to others. We remain committed to long-term problem-solving approaches to keep our communities safe.