HertsCommissioner

News from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire.

[HertsCommissioner @HertsPCC]

🌟 Have an idea that could make your community safer?

I’m launching Community Cashback.
It’s a new initiative to take the proceeds of property seized from criminals or unclaimed by the public and turn it into local projects that prevent crime, support victims and help young people thrive.

Charities, community groups and non-profit organisations will be able to use this funding to make a real difference locally.

Applications are now open until 30th October.

Apply at: https://t.co/68d00Q8EjY

#CommunityCashback #SaferHerts #Hertfordshire #KeepingHertsSafe

[HertsCommissioner @HertsPCC]

The stories emerging yesterday are extremely troubling.

Offenders released early are already saying they intend to commit more crime, reinforcing concerns that many people have raised about the government's early release scheme.

Public safety must always come first, and I'll continue to press for answers on the impact this approach could have on our communities.

[HertsCommissioner @HertsPCC]

💷 Cash generated from seized and unclaimed property is being put back into Hertfordshire communities.

I'm launching the Community Cashback Fund to support local projects that make Hertfordshire safer, with grants of up to ��2,500 available.

Whether it's helping young people, supporting victims, preventing crime or tackling anti-social behaviour, I want to back local ideas that make a real difference.

Applications open on 1 October. Apply via the link: https://t.co/OPkZvehMI4

#CommunityCashback #SaferHerts #Hertfordshire #KeepingHertsSafe

[HertsCommissioner @HertsPCC]

Violence Against Women & Girls, Firearms licensing update, Neighbourhood policing priority setting, Fraud, Hate Crime, and DBS checks update will be under scrutiny at this month’s Accountability and Performance Meeting.

Join me and the Chief Constable online on Thursday 8th of October at 10.30am at the webcast live at: https://t.co/lP2TeZIWWw

Or you can watch the recording on my website soon by visiting https://t.co/66XzoPWVSi.

#police #accountability #policeaccountability #hertspcc #commissioner #livestream

[HertsCommissioner @HertsPCC]

🚨 Our justice system must send a clear message: children come first.

Those who participate in the abuse and exploitation of children should face serious consequences.

Every child sexual abuse image has a victim at its heart. A child who has suffered horrific abuse and exploitation. Every time that material is viewed, downloaded or shared, the abuse is perpetuated.

I'm calling for a review of sentencing to ensure these offences are treated with the seriousness they deserve.

Read my article for LBC ⬇️

#ProtectingChildren #ChildProtection #Safeguarding #JusticeForVictims

[LBC @LBC]

‘More than four in five offenders convicted over child sexual abuse images avoid prison. It’s time to crack down on paedophiles.’

✍️ @JAshEdwards for LBC Opinion
https://t.co/TTz0nwlzSL

[HertsCommissioner @HertsPCC]

🔧 Tool theft can mean lost income, missed jobs and expensive replacements for tradespeople.

That's why I'm funding SelectaDNA kits to help identify and recover stolen tools.

✅Get a FREE kit.
✅ Mark your tools.
✅Register your tools.

Registration gives police the best chance of returning recovered tools to their rightful owner. A few minutes today could make all the difference if they're ever stolen.

Still need a kit? Get yours via the link: https://t.co/Ot2TFq6Rfq

#Hertfordshire #ToolTheft #Tradespeople #CrimePrevention #SaferHerts

@selectadna @HertsPolice

[HertsCommissioner @HertsPCC]

⚽ Let's not make a tough policing challenge even tougher.

I spoke to Greatest Hits Radio about calls to allow drinking in football stands.

Some matches already place significant demands on police resources, particularly where there are local rivalries and the risk of disorder. Public safety must remain the priority, and any proposals that could increase policing pressures should be properly scrutinised.

#KeepingHertsSafe #FootballPolicing #Hertfordshire #HertfordshirePCC #GreatestHitsRadio

[HertsCommissioner @HertsPCC]

Every child deserves to be safe from abuse and exploitation.

I welcome Parliament backing a ban on child-like sexual abuse dolls. As a parent, I'm horrified that products designed to imitate the sexual abuse of children can be legally sold and bought in this country.

But we must go further. Too many offenders committing crimes linked to child sexual abuse are avoiding the serious consequences these offences deserve.

Children deserve better. We need tougher action to protect them and prevent abuse before it escalates.

#ProtectChildren #ChildProtection #Safeguarding #JusticeForVictims

[HertsCommissioner @HertsPCC]

🌾 First Flamstead. Then Sawbridgeworth.

In both cases, green belt land was torn up over bank holiday weekends through large-scale unauthorised development, leaving local communities shocked and frustrated.

The problem is simple: councils and police don't currently have the powers they need to stop the most serious cases quickly enough.

I've written to the Government calling for stronger powers, including emergency stop notices backed by police enforcement, tougher action against those who ignore the rules, and new offences for deliberate damage to the countryside.

Our communities deserve better. Our countryside deserves better.

#Hertfordshire #GreenBelt #ProtectOurCountryside #Planning #CommunitySafety

[HertsCommissioner @HertsPCC]

As Police and Crime Commissioner, I have a statutory duty to hold the Chief Constable to account on behalf of Hertfordshire's residents.

I attended the latest Stop and Search Scrutiny Panel run by my office, where independent volunteers reviewed stop and search encounters from across the county. Their role is to provide community scrutiny and help ensure these powers are being used fairly, proportionately and lawfully.

👏 I'm grateful to everyone who gives up their time to be part of this important work. Their scrutiny helps identify good practice, challenge areas of concern and strengthen public confidence in policing.

🔍 Effective scrutiny leads to better policing, greater transparency and stronger accountability.

That's exactly what these panels help deliver.

Interested in becoming a panel member? 🤝

Find out more here: https://t.co/8czYeo5tle

#Hertfordshire #StopAndSearch #PoliceAccountability #CommunityScrutiny

[HertsCommissioner @HertsPCC]

👮‍♂️ Visible policing matters.

Over the last two years, Operation Hotspot has delivered more than 50,000 hours of additional police patrols in our town centres and crime hotspots, helping to deter crime, tackle antisocial behaviour and make our communities safer.

When the Home Office withdrew the funding used to support these patrols, I was determined that we wouldn't lose a scheme that was delivering real results. Working with Hertfordshire Constabulary, we've identified savings and secured the funding needed to bring Operation Hotspot back.

✅ More visible policing. ✅ Safer town centres. ✅ More criminals taken off our streets.

I'm committed to investing in the policing activity that works and gives residents confidence that crime and antisocial behaviour are being tackled.

#Hertfordshire #OperationHotspot #SaferStreets #KeepingYouSafe #TownCentres #Policing

[HertsCommissioner @HertsPCC]

Yesterday's announcement of specialist courtrooms for rape and serious sexual offences is a welcome step towards giving victims and survivors the justice they deserve more quickly.

But justice isn’t just about giving victims their day in court. Too many offenders found guilty of these types of crimes are not being properly punished. This is especially true in cases where the victims are children.

Last year, the number of people convicted of making and distributing indecent images of children reached record levels, yet fewer than one in five received an immediate prison sentence. That means four in five avoided going straight to prison.

If we're serious about protecting children, crimes linked to child sexual abuse must carry much tougher sentences.

Victims don’t just deserve swifter justice, they deserve stronger justice and offenders need to know they’ll price a serious price for their crimes.

[Sky News @SkyNews]

Specialist rape courts to be rolled out in England and Wales

Read more 🔗 https://t.co/axavLRLBNG

[HertsCommissioner @HertsPCC]

More burglars caught. More offenders brought to justice. Real results for Hertfordshire.

New data shows Hertfordshire led the country for solving residential burglaries in the first quarter of this financial year, with the number of burglaries solved tripling compared to the same period last year.

At the same time, burglary reports fell across the county, showing that proactive policing and targeted enforcement are delivering results.

Tackling burglary remains one of my top priorities as Police and Crime Commissioner because everyone deserves to feel safe in their own home.

Read the full story on my website 👇

https://t.co/1ycjBixnQ3

#Hertfordshire #SaferHerts #TacklingCrime #KeepingHertsSafe

[HertsCommissioner @HertsPCC]

📉 Robbery is falling across Hertfordshire, and that's good news for everyone who lives, works and visits our county.

Last year, Hertfordshire saw the biggest reduction in robbery offences anywhere in England and Wales. In Watford, robbery offences fell by 39%, the largest reduction of any district or borough in the country.

These results don't happen by accident. They reflect the hard work being carried out by Hertfordshire Constabulary, including targeted hotspot patrols, tackling knife crime and using innovative tools to identify and catch offenders.

While robbery remains a distressing crime for those affected, fewer offences mean safer communities, more offenders being brought to justice and people feeling more confident as they go about their daily lives.

👉 Fewer robberies. Safer streets. More offenders brought to justice.

That's the difference effective policing makes. ✅

#Hertfordshire #Watford #SaferStreets #KeepingYouSafe #CrimeReduction #HertordshirePCC

@HertsPolice

[HertsCommissioner @HertsPCC]

Burglary is an incredibly invasive crime that has no place in Hertfordshire.

That's why tackling it is a priority in my Police and Crime Plan.

I'm pleased that Hertfordshire Constabulary solved more burglaries than any other force in England and Wales between April and June this year.

Taking action against offenders works. More burglars are being brought to justice, crime is falling, and our communities are safer.

This is exactly the proactive policing residents want to see: targeting offenders, protecting victims and keeping Hertfordshire safe.

#Hertfordshire #SaferCommunities #Burglary #CrimePrevention

@HertsPolice

[HertsCommissioner @HertsPCC]

When I meet retailers across Hertfordshire, one issue comes up time and time again: the impact of shoplifting and retail crime.

As Police and Crime Commissioner, I'm determined to make sure businesses get the support they need and that offenders are held to account.

That's why I'm backing new technology that is helping retailers and police share intelligence, identify suspects faster, and tackle organised criminality targeting our high streets and retail parks.

Retail crime affects far more than profits. It impacts workers, customers, and entire communities.

Together, we're sending a clear message: retail crime won't be tolerated in Hertfordshire.

#RetailCrime #hertfordshire #safercommunitiestogether #hertfordshirepcc

https://t.co/hVhek8lOMM

[HertsCommissioner @HertsPCC]

Domestic abuse can destroy lives. It has no place in Hertfordshire.

Across Hertfordshire, the police and partner agencies are working together to protect victims, support survivors, and challenge those responsible.

The focus is simple: action, collaboration, and making our communities safer.

There is still work to do. But by working together, we can better protect victims, support survivors and bear down on domestic abuse and violence against women and girls.

If you need support, call the Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline on 08 088 088 088

#DomesticAbuse #VAWG #SaferHertfordshire

[HertsCommissioner @HertsPCC]

Serious criminals are hiding in plain sight on our high streets.

Organised crime gangs are using vape shops, barbers and other dodgy shop fronts to launder money and hide the proceeds of drug dealing and trafficking.

The news that 500 new police officers will be recruited to target gang bosses is a step in the right direction.

But unless we make it easier to close these businesses down, we're only tackling half the problem. The police and Trading Standards must have stronger powers to shut down rogue businesses faster.

[LBC @LBC]

More than 500 anti-money laundering cops to be rolled out as Mahmood takes aim at dirty money

https://t.co/DJ3Lsbrugh

[HertsCommissioner @HertsPCC]

Fed up with tool theft? I don’t blame you 🔧

You can still get your FREE forensic marking kit by completing the online form here: https://t.co/Ot2TFq7p4Y

Take a simple step today to protect your livelihood ✅

#ToolTheft #Hertfordshire #ProtectYourTools #SelectaDNA

@selectadna @HertsPolice

[HertsCommissioner @HertsPCC]

🐾 Wildlife crime has no place in Hertfordshire.

From hare coursing and poaching to offences against protected animals and habitats, these crimes can cause lasting harm to our countryside and local communities.

That's why it's so important to report what you see. Information from the public can help police take action and protect our rural environment.

📲 Report wildlife crime here: https://t.co/2EggOxCpVM

#WildlifeCrime #Hertfordshire #ProtectWildlife #SaferCommunities

@HertsPolice