The Watford Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) have announced that they would like to hear from the community as they prepare to decide the town’s next set of policing priorities.
The team is split across three ‘beat’ areas – Watford North, Watford Outer and Watford Central – where officers regularly review their priorities using police intelligence as well as information provided by the public and partners.
The SNT is tasked with fixing short- and long-term neighbourhood issues such as anti-social behaviour. They work closely with local partners including the council, housing associations and schools to achieve this.
This will be the first time the team has set the new SNT priorities since moving to the new town centre police station on George Street last week.
Inspector Dan Jones, who leads the team, said: “As we start thinking about the next set of priorities, it’s important that we hear from residents. What do you think we should focus on? Is there a particular problem that you would like us to prioritise?
“We want to know your views and will take them into consideration when we set the new priorities. Please let us know using echo, our online community voice platform, by Monday, December 11. We will review all the information we receive, and our new priorities will be announced shortly after.”
Previously, feedback provided by the public has led to action being taken by the police. One example was when residents requested an emphasis on tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in Watford High Street.
A spokesperson for Herts Police said: “In addition to increasing our patrols around peak times, we’ve been working with our Safer Watford partners to address concerns from businesses and shoppers. Police officers and PCSOs have run several Safer Streets events – the latest being in Market Street – with Watford Borough Council, Watford’s Hate Crime Officer, and the Community Safety Unit, to offer reassurance, develop intelligence, and increase membership to our Business Watch messaging service.
“Several people have been sentenced for committing crimes against town centre businesses. One 40-year-old man was sent to prison after admitting to five commercial burglaries, and a 26-year-old man was sentenced to eight months after pleading guilty to breaking into a Watford restaurant.
To submit your feedback, visit Herts Police’s Watford Echo page.
I was involved with business against crime when I was at the Chamber of commerce.We were very successful I would be pleased to use my experience to help.