Funding to tackle crime hotspots withdrawn

Hertfordshire could lose up to 25,000 of policing in crime hotspots if government cuts go ahead in the Spring

That’s the warning from Hertfordshire Police & Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards following the Government’s announcement that the Hotspot Action Fund will be cancelled.  

The Hotspot Action Fund was started under the previous Government and continued under the current Government. It provided funding to allow police forces to surge high visibility patrols in town centres and crime hotspots. 

Operation Hotspot delivered 26,000 hours of additional patrols in year one, reducing town centre crime by 14.5%. Police officers made 333 arrests, carried out 680 stop and searches, used anti-social behaviour powers 1,600 times and seized 52 knives and weapons. Outcomes for year two are on track to exceed the year one figures.  

The Home Office's own guidance stated that "hotspot policing has some of the strongest evidence of any policing approach to violent crime and anti-social behaviour". Evidence from the Youth Endowment Fund shows on average violent crime is reduced by 14% and drug offences by 30% when hotspots are patrolled. 

Hotspot funding was deliberately ringfenced that could only be spent on additional patrols and often funded overtime on top of daily police activity. In 2025, the Government made clear the Hotspot Action Fund was in addition to the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee and not to be replaced by it.  

Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Police & Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire, said: "Hotspot policing isnt rocket science; it's just common sense. Increasing police patrols in the locations and times when crime is most likely to occur works. The Government’s own evidence shows it is one of the most effective ways of cutting crime, violence and anti-social behaviour.  

"Hertfordshire residents and businesses consistently tell me they want to see more visible police patrols in town centres and crime hotspots. That’s exactly what is being achieved with Operation Hotspot and the results show it is working – with a 14.5% fall in crime and anti-social behaviour in its first year.

"Operation Hotspot has been a huge success in Hertfordshire and these additional patrols are now at risk with the funding ending on 31st March.

"Unless the Government changes course and reinstates hotspot funding, from April there will inevitably be a sharp fall in visible police patrols in crime hotspots. This would be a huge mistake and risks reversing the progress made to make cut crime and make town centres safer in Hertfordshire.  

"The only people who will welcome this news will be shoplifters, violent offenders, drug dealers and people committing anti-social behaviour in town centres.  

"As a result, over the coming weeks I will be working flat out to try and persuade the Government to change its mind. If it won't, I will do everything that I can to protect as much of the successes of Operation Hotspot as possible".