Introducing Herts Connected Community Messaging System

Hertfordshire Constabulary has signed up to a new community messaging system to replace OWL (Online Watch Link) from 1 April, 2024.

Over 30 police forces already use Neighbourhood Alerts and our local system will be called Herts Connected.

Chief Superintendent Dean Patient said: ‘We know that being part of a community messaging system helps prevent crime in local neighbourhoods and we continue this important work. This is an exciting new chapter for us as we embrace new digital technology to help us send more local, targeted and relevant messages. We continue to work closely with Herts Watch, who run Neighbourhood Watch.’

He said: ‘Our Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) and colleagues have successfully helped sign up 180,000 Herts residents to OWL. We hope the majority of these residents will sign up to our new system – they will simply have to click on a link, as under GDPR, we are unable to automatically transfer them across.’

To register to Herts Connected, please visit: https://hertsconnected.co.uk/.

When you click on the link, you will be given the option of 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.

Community Safety Inspector Nicki Dean said: ‘We will continue to update you about local crime, what your local officers are doing and how you can help shape your local neighbourhood priorities.’

Residents currently signed up to OWL will continue to receive messages until 31 March.