Hertfordshire PCC welcomes burglary crackdown as force tops the national table for number of burglaries solved

New performance data showing that Hertfordshire Constabulary solved more burglaries than any other police force nationally in the first quarter of the financial year has been welcomed by Police & Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards.

During April, May and June, the number of residential burglaries that were solved was triple the same period last year, making Hertfordshire the most improved police force for solving burglary.

The result follows a sustained crackdown on residential burglary across the county with officers targeting prolific offenders and organised crime groups, focusing on bringing offenders to justice and maximising opportunities to secure evidence.

Although burglary is low in Hertfordshire, it is one of the crimes most frequently raised with the Commissioner by residents, because of the serious impact it has on victims’ sense of safety in their own homes.

The Commissioner has made tackling burglary and improving the amount of crime being solved a priority in his Police & Crime Plan. He regularly scrutinises progress in his Accountability & Performance Meetings.

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

“Burglary is a horribly invasive crime. It undermines people’s absolute right to feel safe in their own home, which is why tackling it has been one of my top priorities.

“Hertfordshire Constabulary has made significant progress in improving burglary investigations. That is reflected in the news that burglars were more likely to caught in Hertfordshire than anywhere else in England or Wales in the first three months of the financial year.

“Unsurprisingly, arresting more burglars also means that burglary is falling across the county, with a 16% reduction in burglary reports in the same three month period.

“Proactive crime fighting in Hertfordshire is delivering results, putting more burglars before the courts, cutting crime and delivering a better service to victims.

“There is no room for complacency, but this is very good news for Hertfordshire residents and a credit to the police officers and staff whose work has made it possible”.

The Commissioner said the latest results reflect Hertfordshire Constabulary’s wider focus on solving more crime, improving investigative standards and targeting those responsible for the crimes which cause concern to local communities.

Residents are encouraged to continue reporting suspicious activity and to take practical crime prevention steps, including securing doors and windows, keeping valuables out of sight and reporting information about burglary or stolen goods to the police or anonymously through Crimestoppers.