Crime
Crime figures would seem an obvious indicator of quality of life. Crime is responsible for loss of property; financial loss; fear; social exclusion; and the decline of neighbourhoods. However, crime rates in Hertfordshire are relatively low in comparison with the rest of the UK.
Indicator CR1 - Recorded crime per 1,000 population
Total crime
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Domestic burglaries
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The 2004/2005 crime figures for Hertfordshire as a proportion of the population are shown in the table below.
As is evident from the figures above, crime rates in Hertfordshire are significantly lower than the national average. However, public perception of safety in Hertfordshire is also a relevant and useful indicator of quality of life.
Indicator CR2 - Fear of Crime
Percentage of residents surveyed who said they feel 'fairly safe' or 'very safe' outside a) during the day; b) after dark.
| During the day | ||
|---|---|---|
| Hertfordshire | 98.09% | (15th nationally) |
| Eastern region average | 97-98% | |
| National average | 97.13% | |
| After dark | ||
| Hertfordshire | 69.99% | (27th nationally) |
| Eastern region range | 63-76% | (Beds and Suffolk) |
Source: British crime survey 2004/05
Percentage of residents who think that people using or dealing drugs is a problem in their local area:
- Hertfordshire 24%
- Eastern region average - 20%
- Eastern region range - 13-31% (Essex and Beds, respectively)
- National average - 26%
Home Office 'Crime in England and Wales 2004/5' July 2005
| Crimes per 1000 of population | Total Crime | Burglary Dwelling | Violent Offences committed | Theft of/from a Vehicle | Sexual Offences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hertfordshire | 93 | 11 | 16 | 13 | <1 |
| National Average | 105 | 13 | 20 | 14 | 1 |
Source: Home Office 'Crime in England and Wales 2004/05' July 2005
Hertfordshire Constabulary
Following two years of successful recruitment campaigns Hertfordshire now has the highest number of police officers ever with numbers approaching a target of 2157 officers. Along with over 1000 support staff, these officers, serve a population in excess of one million and cover an area of 1637 square kilometres.
Although it has a rural character in parts, Hertfordshire also has many large towns and built up areas adjacent to London. This places a variety of demands on the police. The county also has some of the busiest stretches of road in Europe. To meet these diverse challenges, Hertfordshire Constabulary has developed a policing style that is designed to meet local needs by working in partnership with local communities. The Constabulary is committed to close working with local council led Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships.
Some of the key tools we have in tackling crime and disorder at a local level are our Community Teams and a network of over 150 Ward Constables who are working at problem solving and liaison work with the communities they serve.
The Constabulary is organised into three areas:
- Western Area - Watford, Three Rivers and Dacorum
- Central Area - Welwyn Hatfield, St Albans and Hertsmere
- Eastern Area - North Herts, Stevenage, East Herts and Broxbourne
Each of these areas is led by a Chief Superintendent. Each Area has a Chief Inspector in charge of partnership working and ensuring that local communities are involved in how their policing needs are met.
Development of intelligence systems & policing style
Recent years have seen the introduction of a new policing style for Hertfordshire based on the National Intelligence Model, a proven successful crime fighting tool. This style is designed to take a more proactive approach to fighting crime, solving local problems and providing a visible police presence throughout the County. The key to success is making better use of information about criminal activity - whether that information comes from the police, the public or even the criminals themselves. Intelligence units are based locally and at the County HQ and use this information to identify crime patterns and prolific offenders. This information, along with our increased capacity to recover, analyse and use valuable forensic evidence, is then used to target police resources more effectively, to tackle crime more quickly and arrest more criminals.
Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) PCSOs are new members of the policing family that have been introduced across the country, including in Hertfordshire, since 2003, helping to link better with communities and releasing police officers to concentrate on tasks requiring full police powers.
They are uniformed civilian support officers who provide a reassuring visible presence across Hertfordshire. Roles and duties do vary slightly across the county but all help tackle important quality of life issues such as vandalism and antisocial behaviour. PCSOs wear a uniform which is highly visible and identifies them as part of Hertfordshire Constabulary, but clearly makes them distinct from police officers. They carry radios linked to the police systems and can report information or call for police assistance when required.
Main funding for PCSOs has come from Central Government, but money has also come from local authorities within Hertfordshire, including the County Council, to fund specific officers.