Visible policing boost passes significant milestone

Jonathan Ash-Edwards and Chief Op Hotspot

More than 50,000 hours of targeted hotspot patrols have now been delivered across Hertfordshire as part of ongoing work to crack down on crime, anti-social behaviour and violence in town centres and neighbourhoods.

Operation Hotspot, an initiative launched by the Police & Crime Commissioner with funding secured by his office, focuses on town centres and areas experiencing higher levels of anti-social behaviour, violence and acquisitive crime, providing visible policing, prevention activity and proactive enforcement.

Since May 2024, hotspot officers have completed 50,846 patrol hours across the county, carrying out hundreds of stop searches, engaging with thousands of residents and businesses and taking dangerous weapons and offenders off the streets.

New figures released as part of the latest Operation Hotspot update show that in the last year:

  • 370 arrests made during year two activity
  • 654 stop searches carried out
  • 1,646 anti-social behaviour powers used
  • 57 knives seized
  • More than 23,800 patrol hours completed in year two alone

This builds on the over 26,000 patrol hours in year one.

Hotspot patrols have also supported wider problem-solving and prevention work across Hertfordshire, including:

  • New and upgraded CCTV installations
  • Knife amnesty campaigns
  • Mobile CCTV deployments
  • Retail crime prevention initiatives
  • Installation of anti-social behaviour prevention measures in hotspot areas

Additional items recovered by hotspot officers include drugs, stolen property, corrosive substances and offensive weapons.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire Jonathan Ash-Edwards said: ‘Passing 50,000 hotspot patrol hours is a major milestone and demonstrates the commitment to delivering visible policing and cracking down on crime across Hertfordshire.

‘Hotspot policing is a key priority in my Police & Crime Plan – delivering on the public’s desire to see more police patrols, but importantly it is also helping to cut crime and anti-social behaviour, making Hertfordshire safer for everyone.

‘Putting more police officer time into crime hotspots and town centres is not rocket science, it’s common sense and it delivers real results. Over the last two years, during Operation Hotspot patrols, officers have made hundreds of arrests as well as carrying out hundreds of stop searches, using anti-social behaviour powers and taking weapons and drugs off our streets.

‘I am grateful to Hertfordshire’s police officers and PCSOs who have stepped up and done these additional patrols on top of their day-to-day work. It has made a real difference in making Hertfordshire safer and I will keep backing proactive policing in Hertfordshire.’

Chief Inspector Mark Collins said: ‘Operation Hotspot has given us the ability to deploy officers precisely where intelligence tells us they are needed most, at the times when they will have the greatest impact. The additional patrol hours have led directly to arrests, stop searches, weapons seizures and the disruption of those responsible for repeat offending and anti-social behaviour. Officers are using a full range of powers to deal with issues quickly and decisively, while also gathering information that supports wider investigations and longer‑term problem solving. This targeted approach is helping us to reduce harm, improve safety and maintain a strong policing presence in hotspot locations across the county.’

In its first year, Operation Hotspot achieved a 14.5% reduction in crime and anti‑social behaviour across targeted hotspot locations, and this trend continues in the second year of Operation Hotspot.