Policing priorities for Hitchin   

Following feedback from local residents and councillors, the Safer Neighbourhood Team that covers Hitchin have now set their policing priorities for the next few months. 

These are the issues which affect the community on a local level and often involve working with partner agencies including North Herts Council and local schools, to tackle long and short-term problems, including anti-social behaviour, drug related crime, car crime and speeding.  

For the next six months local officers will continue to focus on: 

Residential Burglaries – although the number of reported burglaries in the area is low, this is still a key concern for local residents, and the team will continue to focus on prevention and detection. They plan to increase the number of local households signed up to Neighbourhood Watch and provide crime prevention advice to as many households as possible.  

Anti-social behaviour in open spaces – Throughout the lighter spring and summer months, local officers will continue to focus on ASB in open spaces in and around the town centre. Patrols will be increased in locations identified as being of concern to the local communities, including King George Playing Field, Triangle Community Garden, Ransoms Recreation Ground and Windmill Hill.  

Speeding– this continues to be an issue and regular speed patrols will be carried out in roads which have been flagged as areas of concern. 

Safer Neighbourhood Sergeant for Hitchin Taranvir Gill said: "Thanks to everyone who took the time to submit their views, we really value your feedback as it enables us to capture all of the issues affecting local residents and allocate our resources accordingly. 

"Listening to local communities is at the heart of what we do and, therefore, we would encourage anyone with concerns about crime or criminal behaviour to get in touch with us.