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Hertsmere Community Safety Partnership (CSP) is a strategic body made up of local organisations that work together to make the borough a safer place to live, work and visit. The organisations making up the CSP include Hertsmere Borough Council, Hertfordshire Constabulary, Hertfordshire County Council, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, National Probation Service and the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board.
This newsletter provides an overview of the partnership activity between April and June 2024 and details of local services available to Hertsmere residents.
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Would you like tips to help keep you safe day-to-day? If so, please come along to our FREE women's safety talks.
Events have been organised across the borough, which will cover safety on the street, stalking, conflict management, personal safety in both your professional and personal life and much more.
The events will take place on:
- Thursday 25 July between 6:30pm and 8:30pm at The Civic Offices in Borehamwood
- Wednesday 14 August between 6:30pm and 8:30pm at The Wyllyotts Theatre in Potters Bar
- Sunday 8 September between 2pm and 4pm at The Niland Centre in Bushey.
Free refreshments will be available. Anyone aged 18 or over is welcome to attend.
If you would like to book onto this event please visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/safe-by-cst-45181037783
If you have any questions about this event, please email partnership.support@hertsmere.gov.uk
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Two people were arrested on suspicion of theft from a shop in Borehamwood on 15 April, thanks to joint working between the police, CCTV operators and shop staff.
A call was made to the constabulary’s control room at around 3.20pm reporting that several clothing items, worth just under £600, had allegedly been stolen from Sports Direct in the shopping park.
The items were then discarded in a bush.
Officers attended and carried out a search for the suspects, with assistance from Hertfordshire CCTV Partnership operators, using detailed descriptions that had been provided by a member of shop staff.
A 14-year-old boy and a 17-year-old girl were subsequently detained and arrested a short time later. They have been released on bail while enquiries continue.
Neighbourhood Inspector Rachael Robertson, said: “This is just another example of how the police, CCTV operators and local businesses are working together to tackle retail crime. We’re committed to working with our local partners, to support businesses in the borough.”
Cllr Christian Gray, Portfolio Holder for Communities, Neighbourhoods, Enforcement, Economic Development and Transformation at Hertsmere Borough Council, said: “Hertsmere is a safe and enjoyable place to live, work and visit, and it’s important that we continue to work together with the community and partners to ensure it remains so.
“This is an excellent example of partnership working and highlights the value of CCTV cameras in our borough. By increasing our eyes in specific areas, we hope to help make life better for people living in the area, as not only will it reduce crime, but it will also reduce the fear of it.”
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As part of the county-wide campaign to raise awareness of cuckooing, partners came together in Borehamwood Shopping Park with an Advan to speak to the community about how to spot the signs of cuckooing.
Cuckooing is when criminals take over homes and use them as bases for drug dealing and other forms for exploitation. Victims may feel trapped, intimidated and threatened and may be experiencing violence.
Some of the potential signs include:
- An increase in people entering and leaving, who don’t stay very long, arriving at all times of the day and night.
- Increase in rubbish/drug paraphernalia and signs of drug use.
- Suspicious vehicles or people at an address.
- A neighbour who has not been seen for a while or there are changes to their emotional wellbeing.
Concerns can be reported to the police by calling the non-emergency number 101 or 999 in an emergency or if a crime is in progress.
You can report anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable form.
To find out more about cuckooing visit the Hertfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board's cuckooing page.
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Jonathan Ash-Edwards was elected as Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Hertfordshire in May 2024.
The PCC has responsibilities including appointing the county's Chief Constable, setting the policing budget and council tax precept, and working closely with the police and other public services.
In May, Jonathan attended a meeting with local police and councillors to discuss the priorities for the borough and how to address them. Attendees discussed how they could work together to tackle local issues.
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The Pride Progress flag was raised outside the Civic Offices in Borehamwood to celebrate Pride month in June.
Mayor of Hertsmere, Councillor Richard Butler, was joined by members of staff, councillors and colleagues from the NHS, Hertfordshire Constabulary, Herts Fire and Rescue Service, Communities 1st, Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust (HPFT) Rainbow Network and representatives from Herts Pride.
Herts Pride will take place on Saturday 31 August in Cassiobury Park in Watford. For more information visit the Herts Pride website.
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June marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day. D-Day commemorates the service and sacrifice of the D-Day Generation. Piper, Mr George Carr, played and the D-Day 80 Flag of Peace was flown outside the Civic Offices in Borehamwood.
The Armed Forces Day flag was flown outside our offices in June to show appreciation for the armed forces community. To find out more about Armed Forces Day visit their website.
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The 2024 European Championship kicked off in June and the Euros gives us a chance to come together and get behind our national teams.
For many people, tournaments like these can put them at risk. Throughout the tournament, organisations have been signposting to support and information to help people stay safe and enjoy the football. Hertfordshire Constabulary provided advice on enjoying the tournament safely on their website.
The Crimestoppers website refers to a recent study that showed when England lose a match, domestic abuse rises by 38 per cent - when England win it rises by 26 per cent, and 11 per cent the following day, whether England win or lose.
If you feel at risk of abuse, links to help and support can be found on the Hertsmere Borough Council website, including the police, online support, helplines and refuges.
During the last World Cup, arrests for drug and drink driving increased, as did the number of reported road accidents on big match days. Advice, guidance and support for alcohol and drug use can be found on the Change Grow Live website.
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Help is at hand in Hertsmere’s Healthy Hubs for those with an alcohol problem.
The hubs in Borehamwood, Bushey and Potters Bar are now stocked with literature detailing how to get help from Alcoholics Anonymous, a worldwide organisation now in its 90th year.
There’s a free 0800 917 7650 number and a meetings finder section on the Alcoholics Anonymous website where people can find an abundance of help in the guise of the recovering alcoholics who voluntarily run the organisation.
AA is the largest and most successful mutual support organisation in the world, with more than two million members. The only thing required to be a member is a desire to stop drinking.
There are no fees to be a member as AA is self-supporting through the voluntary contributions of those who attend meetings.
Don’t know if you’re an alcoholic? If you’re thinking about when and where you’ll get your next alcoholic drink; hiding the amount you’re drinking from those closest to you; drinking alone and in secret; craving that first drink and can’t stop when others do; convince yourself that you could give up if you wanted to (but don’t want to); and drink to blackout…then you probably are an alcoholic.
Alcoholism doesn’t care about your background, age, job, gender, bank account or beliefs. It doesn’t care if you believe in any religion or none. It’s an illness, an allergy, an obsession, an addiction.
For some, the compulsion to drink interferes with normal life. For others, addiction can lead to harsh loss of jobs, family, health, homes, possessions and self-respect.
Some are hospitalised. Or arrested. Or commit grave offences and imprisoned as a result.
There are thousands of AA groups up and down the country. Here, members meet to share with each other their experience, strength and hope.
Type ‘Bushey’ into the meetings finder on the AA website and up pop 40 plus meetings within six miles. At different times of day, covering every day. There are also daily online meetings. It is through these meetings and by listening to and talking with other alcoholics that alcoholics are able to stay sober.
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The national Operation Sceptre campaign aims to reduce the number of knives on our streets and educate young people on the dangers they pose.
During the week of action, Hertsmere Neighbourhood Policing Teams provided knife amnesty bins at different locations across the borough, where members of the public could safely surrender unwanted weapons in bins.
Further information about Operation Sceptre in Hertfordshire can be found on the Hertfordshire Constabulary website.
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In June, the Borehamwood Fire Station open day was held.
The day started with a quiet hour, which provided a calm environment for those who love fire engines and police cars. The hour aimed to reduce sudden loud noises, flashing lights, temperatures, conversations and strong smells.
The open day ran from 11am to 4pm with the public having the opportunity to explore a fire engine, a police car and an ambulance and watch demonstrations of the fire hose, an Aerial Ladder Platform and someone being rescued from a car.
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The Hertsmere CSP supported Relationship and Consent workshops at a local secondary school.
These assemblies covered healthy relationships, consent, the law, up-skirting, friendships and bullying in the workplace. Information was received by over 400 students.
The sessions raised lots of questions and the young people were asked to consider a number of scenarios. The students left with a clear message about consent and what healthy relationships look like.
Herts Connected is a free interactive messaging service from Hertfordshire Constabulary where you decide when and how you hear about the issues that matter most to you, whether that is getting regular crime updates, the latest information on ongoing incidents and emergencies, or learning more about what your local police are doing.
Get connected with what is happening in your local area, keep up to date and get involved in shaping what goes on where you live or work.
It's quick and easy to sign up. You will be able to choose who you would like to receive messages from – including the Police and Crime Commissioner, Neighbourhood Watch and Action Fraud.
Your preferences will make your messages bespoke and not just related to your postcode. For more information and to sign up visit the Herts Connected website.
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Community Spaces are a non-judgemental space where you'll be welcomed by the staff and volunteers there.
Community Spaces have various facilities, with some being cool spaces and others that are warm spaces. If you want to ask for extra support – with benefits, health, fuel and other costs or anything else, the staff will put you in touch with the right people, with your consent.
Every space will have the option to participate in some activity, from more casual “coffee” hours to a service’s usual activities. If you don’t fancy this, you can always find a seat and bring something with you to do.
If you would like to find a Community Space in Hertfordshire, please visit the Community Spaces page.
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Contact information:
www.hertsmere.gov.uk/csp
020 8207 2277
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