Hertfordshire Constabulary placed in highest performance category under new national policing system
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Hertfordshire Constabulary has been placed in the highest category under a new national policing performance system, following an independent assessment by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services.
The force has been assessed as Level One under the new Policing Performance System, the top category available and the position reserved for forces that are performing well and continuing to make progress.
Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards has welcomed the result, saying it shows the force is moving in the right direction after a clear focus on improving performance, strengthening leadership and delivering for local communities.
The assessment follows work over the past year to address areas where improvement was needed and to ensure the Constabulary is better focused on the priorities residents say matter most.
Over the last year, Hertfordshire Constabulary has been:
- Solving more crime and catching more criminals – and was in the top 10 forces nationally in the first quarter of 2026 for the amount of crime solved.
- Cutting crime – with town centre crime falling through Operation Hotspot, burglary down and bucking the national trend with a 12% fall in shoplifting.
- Responding to the public quicker – meeting the 999 call answering time and reducing average 101 answer times to under a minute.
- Protecting vulnerable people – with domestic abuse safeguarding disclosures under Clare’s Law now the 5th best nationally.
Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire, said:
“This is good news for Hertfordshire residents and an important recognition of the progress being made by Hertfordshire Constabulary.
“When I was elected as Police and Crime Commissioner, the police inspectorate had identified areas where major improvements were required. Significant progress has been made making those changes and we are beginning to see the results.
"More crime is being solved, the public's calls for help are being answered quicker, more safeguarding disclosures are being made and crimes such as burglary and shoplifting are down.
"I'm grateful to the hard work of Hertfordshire's senior leaders, police officers and staff who have made these improvements possible.
"This independent assessment is testament to the progress made but nobody in policing should ever be complacent. While Hertfordshire is performing well overall, there are still areas that need attention. I will keep holding the force to account, supporting improvements and making sure Hertfordshire gets the best possible policing to keep our county safe".
The Commissioner said the result provides a stronger foundation for continued improvement, with the focus remaining firmly on the priorities set out in his Police and Crime Plan.
These include cutting crime and keeping communities safe, cracking down on antisocial behaviour, tackling violence against women and girls, supporting victims of crime, preventing young people from becoming involved in crime, and improving the service residents receive when they contact the police.