News from your Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards

Newsletter from the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire

To Resident

This newsletter is designed to keep you up to date with my work on your behalf and I hope you find it informative. Should you ever wish to contact me please email commissioner@herts-pcc.gov.uk

Best wishes

Jonathan Ash-Edwards 
Police & Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire

PCC sets priorities with new Police and Crime Plan to make Hertfordshire safer

I have now launched my ambitious Police and Crime Plan to ensure Hertfordshire remains one of the safest counties in the country. 

My plan, Fighting Crime, Making Hertfordshire Safer, outlines the strategic objectives for policing, community safety, and crime prevention. It provides a clear focus for his first term in office and for Hertfordshire Constabulary to reduce crime, catch criminals, and keep people safe. 

The local priorities for the next five years are based on extensive feedback from a public consultation in which thousands of residents gave their views to help shape policing in Hertfordshire. 

The plan outlines five key priorities to strengthen local policing and enhance public confidence. 

Make Hertfordshire Safer: Emphasizing crime prevention, early intervention, and partnership working to create safer neighbourhoods. 

Strengthen Local Policing and Build Public Confidence: Increasing police visibility and community engagement to improve trust and reduce crime.

Tackle Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour: Addressing hotspots of crime and anti-social behaviour to ensure communities feel safe.

Protect People from Violence, Abuse, and Exploitation: Focusing on preventing and disrupting high-harm crimes, particularly violence against women and girls.

Bring Offenders to Justice and Support Victims: Enhancing the efficiency of the criminal justice system and providing robust support for victims.

You can see the full plan on my website

Marking progress in first year in office to make Hertfordshire safer

One year on from my election as your Police and Crime Commissioner I have marked the progress to make Hertfordshire safer.

Since my election in May 2024 Mr Ash-Edwards I have published my police and crime plan and launched several new initiatives aimed to reduce crime and make the public feel more secure.

Hertfordshire is also on course to have a new record high number of police officers after my first budget earlier this year.

Among the other achievements of the past year are the appointment of a new Chief Constable and the introduction of monthly public Accountability and Performance Meetings to transparently question the Chief on policing activities, priorities and performance.

I have also been appointed the national lead for PCCs on prevention and children and young people.

Watch a short video of my first year here

Op Hotspot reduces antisocial behaviour and serious violence by over 14%

I am proud to announce the successful outcomes of the first year of Operation Hotspot across the county.

Last year my office secured £1 million of Home Office money to launch the initiative in 26 town centres and areas in Hertfordshire with higher crime rates.

Now the year-end statistics highlight the substantial impact the operation has had in improving community safety with a reduction of 14.5% in anti-social behaviour and serious violence in those hotspots.

Among the key achievements were -

Increased Patrols: Operation Hot Spot has conducted 2,903 patrols across Hertfordshire, equating to 26,108 hours of enhanced police presence in high-risk areas.

Arrests: The operation led to 333 arrests, demonstrating a strong commitment to tackling crime and holding offenders accountable.

Stop Searches: A total of 680 stop searches were carried out, representing approximately 10% of the force's overall stop search total.

ASB Powers Used: ASB powers were utilized 1,600 times, effectively addressing nuisance behaviour and other anti-social activities.

Weapon Seizures: The initiative resulted in the seizure of 52 knives and several other weapons, including a dog seized under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Full story here

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I will be holding another public Accountability and Performance Meeting with Chief Constable Andy Prophet at 10.30am on Tuesday July 8th.

You can register to watch the live using this link. A recording of the meeting and all previous ones are available to watch back here.

Thank you for reading.