Neighbourhood Policing Team update

Dear Resident,

Here is a snapshot of what your Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and police officers have been doing over the past couple of weeks across Bishop’s Stortford and Sawbridgeworth.

High visibility patrols and community engagement

•            High visibility foot patrols have been carried out across both Bishop’s Stortford and Sawbridgeworth.

•            Officers provided a visible presence around Waitrose and Jackson Square to help deter shoplifters and speak to shoppers about any concerns.

•            An engagement event was held at Bishop’s Stortford Library, giving residents the chance to speak with local PCSOs about neighbourhood issues.

Local patrols

•            PCSO Mark Rippon patrolled Saint Michael’s Mead and Southern Country Park following reports or Anti Social Behaviour.

•            PCSO Fallon Collins engaged with residents while on patrol in Sawbridgeworth.

•            PCSO Steve Blanks patrolled the town centre, speaking with businesses and helping to identify offenders linked to shop thefts.

•            PCSO Scott Rome completed a 15 mile e bike patrol around Bishop’s Stortford North, engaging with parents and children during school pick up time and observing reported parking issues.

Swift arrests and crime prevention work

•            PCSOs working with local businesses identified two offenders wanted for offences elsewhere. One was quickly caught by a PCSO after a foot chase.

•            While on patrol, PCSO Blanks spotted a male wanted for robbery in Essex. After another foot chase, officers detained him near the train station.

•            A crime prevention talk was delivered to the Aphasia Support Group in Bishop’s Stortford, offering advice on personal safety.

Youth engagement and education

•            PCSO Clare Andrews, PC Mitchell, Reynolds and Arslan welcome students at Herts & Essex High School to the Police Station to explain the role of a PCSO and answer questions about working in policing. Several students have since shown an interest in a policing career.

•            PC Shelly Marshall and PCSO Collins attended the Mayor of Sawbridgeworth’s Youth Community Initiative, engaging with young people and offering guidance and support.

The role of your local PCSOs

PCSOs provide a reassuring presence in the community, helping tackle crime and anti social behaviour while building strong relationships with residents. They work as part of the Neighbourhood Policing Team to improve quality of life and keep local areas safe.

Wider support and how you can support us

East Herts is also supported by a wider policing team who work around the clock to keep people safe. This includes response officers who deal with emergency calls, CID detectives who investigate crimes such as burglary, robbery and assault, and specialist units who focus on issues like acquisitive crime and domestic abuse.

These teams rely on information from the public. If you see something suspicious, witness a crime, or have any information that could help keep our communities safe, please report it. Even small pieces of information can make a big difference.

Is there an issue you'd like to see the team focusing on? You can have your say via our local policing priority survey. Further info is available here - Local policing priorities | Hertfordshire Constabulary

Report online at herts.police.uk/report, speak to us via webchat at herts.police.uk/contact, or call 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency or if a crime is in progress.

If you are able to report to police at the time the ASB is happening, please ring 101 or report through the online portal here, or ring 999 if it is an emergency.

Regards

Clare