September newsletter from the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire

Dear Resident,

Welcome to my newsletter for September 2025 – in this edition: 

New police officers welcomed to Hertfordshire

This year, my budget for Hertfordshire Constabulary funded a further increase in police officer numbers, meaning the county will achieve a new record high, having over 2,400 officers for the first time.

I recently joined the Chief Constable at the passing out parade for some of the new recruits helping us increase officer numbers. The passing out parade is a significant and proud moment for them and their families; it’s a major milestone on their journey to going out on independent patrol. It was a privilege to welcome the new officers to the county. 

The new officers will join response and neighbourhood teams across the county to complete their training. One of the cohorts will go on to train as detectives, playing an important role in investigating and solving more complex crime. 

The new officers include an ex-football coach, a cleaner, a shop worker, an accountant, a windsurfing instructor and a carer, along with people who have previously worked as police staff.

If you, or anyone you know, is considering a career in policing, they can find out more about how to get involved here: https://www.herts.police.uk/police-forces/hertfordshire-constabulary/areas/careers/careers/ 

Herts supports seizure of £1.3m worth of E-bikes 

I know many people are worried about the impact of e-bikes and e-scooters on our roads and pavements in Hertfordshire and I take that concern seriously.  

These bikes are not legal to ride on the public highway and can pose a serious risk to pedestrians and other road users, which I saw first hand when I spent time with the Road Policing Unit during the summer.

I’m pleased to report on a major operation that Hertfordshire Constabulary worked on with Suffolk Trading Standards and other agencies at the Port of Felixstowe. Officers seized £1.3m worth of dangerous electric motorcycles and battery powered vehicles being imported. Over 340 items were seized because of non-compliance with safety standards and counterfeit technical documents.

If they had not been seized, many of these bikes would undoubtedly have been on the streets of Hertfordshire and, in some cases, being used in crime. 

I’ll continue to work closely with our police, Trading Standards and national partners to take more action on dangerous imports and keep our streets safe for local residents.

Tackling rural crime

Our rural communities are vital to our economy, our environment and the way of life we value across the county. I am committed to ensuring that people who live, work and farm in these rural areas feel equally supported by the police as those who call one of the cities or towns home.   

September saw a national focus on rural crime to mark the work policing does across the UK to keep rural communities safe.

I spent a day with Hertfordshire Constabulary's dedicated Rural Operation Support Team (ROST) to see rural policing in action. I attended a roundtable kindly hosted by the NFU to hear from farmers and rural landowners about some of the challenges they have with waste crime, fly tipping and hare coursing.

Earlier in the year, I funded a property marking project for farm equipment, using SelectaDNA forensic tapping. I was pleased to get an update from the Constabulary on progress rolling out this initiative and a real difference is being made protecting farms from theft. So far, not a single theft has been reported where property has been marked with SelectaDNA, which is great news.

I’ll continue to support initiatives to deter out rural crime, and I’ll be working with the rural community to protect our countryside, support local livelihoods and make Hertfordshire’s communities safe for everyone.  

The Knife Angel comes to Hertfordshire

The Knife Angel arrives in Hertfordshire this week.  

The 27-foot monument, which aims to raise awareness of the destructive effects of knife crime, will be in Welwyn Garden City town centre for the month of October.  

Both the constabulary and my office are planning a wide series of engagement events to mark the first Hertfordshire appearance of this striking piece of art. I’ve launched a youth art competition – which you can read more about here – while the constabulary is working with Welwyn Hatfield Council to organise opening and closing ceremonies which will feature artistic performances and a series of other powerful contributions.  

Herts is a low-knife crime county, but we can never be complacent. The Knife Angel is a powerful reminder of what’s at stake, and a chance to start conversations that really matter.

I’d encourage you to visit the Knife Angel while it’s in Welwyn Garden City between October 1st-30th, or perhaps attend one of the many events the constabulary is planning – you can view a full list and book your attendance here.  

Best wishes, 

Jonathan 

Jonathan Ash-Edwards 

Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire 

P.S. You can contact me at any time if there’s something you’d like to raise with me as your Police & Crime Commissioner – get in touch any time on commissioner@herts-pcc.gov.uk.