Government grant to improve safety in town centre

Local police have secured a government grant to increase the safety of women and girls and address serious violence, vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour.

Hertfordshire Police & Crime Commissioner David Lloyd successfully bid for the Government’s Safer Streets funding to tackle concerns over crimes associated with the weekend night time economy such as drug use, violence and those against women and girls.

The funding of £309,140 will pay for new mobile CCTV cameras, brighter street lighting, police patrols and ANPR monitoring of cars using the Gascoyne Way car park.

In addition extra training will be given to door staff, taxi marshals and CCTV operators to help women making their way home, alongside Op Vigilant which uses plain-clothed officers to target those displaying predatory behaviour.

Mr Lloyd said: "It is very positive news that we have secured more funding to tackle neighbourhood crime, keep people safe and support the work of Hertfordshire Constabulary.

"The measures and tactics which are going to be implemented are based on Hertfordshire’s Prevention First model of policing, which aims to prevent crime by early intervention.

"This award builds on previous successful investment, and it is going into projects that are making a real difference in people’s lives. We have seen that CCTV, improved lighting and target hardening are making streets safer for women and girls and reducing the fear of burglary and robbery.