Community Safety Partnership earns commendation

The Home Office has written to Welwyn Hatfield’s Community Safety Partnership (CSP) – your partners for a safer, stronger neighbourhood – to commend them for an outstanding performance in cutting crime. In the whole of the East of England, only four localities have been highlighted in this way.

In Welwyn Hatfield the level of most crime has dropped by more than 20% since 2004. House burglary is down by 40%.

Organisations involved in the CSP include Hertfordshire Constabulary, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, Hertfordshire County Council, Hertfordshire Police Authority, East & North Herts Primary Care Trust, Probation Service, University of Hertfordshire and many local community and voluntary groups. Together they tackle issues that have a detrimental impact on residents’ quality of life.

County Councillor Richard Smith, Chair of the CSP, said: “This commendation reflects all the partners’ commitment, cooperation and close connection with local communities. A safer, stronger community is of utmost importance to local people and it is good to know that government ministers have noticed that we are delivering on this. To be singled out as one of only four localities in the whole of the East of England is an even greater honour. I send my thanks and congratulations to all the partners in the CSP for their continued excellent work.”

The CSP is running a reassurance campaign, called ‘Safer Stronger’, to bridge the gap in understanding between the actual crime/anti-social behaviour figures in the area and perception of crime, and also to raise awareness of their work. Watch out for the eye-catching posters and banners around the borough

More information about the campaign can be found on the Welwyn Hatfield Alliance’s website, or you can email feelsafe@welhat.gov.uk or call 01707 357282.