Stevenage: Police make drugs and anti-social behaviour 'key focus'

The new priorities will run from August until December, and have been influenced by feedback from town's community.

Officers from three teams will now work with local partners in the town to address the issues.

READ MORE

• Walkern's new affordable homes prove big success as families move in
• Two vehicle crash shuts road in Stevenage

Along with drug crime and anti-social behaviour, Hertfordshire Constabulary have announced the below priorities for each area:

North Stevenage

• Nuisance driving on Martins Way, Gunnels Wood Road, Wedgewood Way, Wisden Road, Grace Way, Scarborough Avenue and Clovelly Way.
• ASB, begging and theft from shops in the Oval area.
• Begging and associated ASB, street drinking, drug dealing and substance misuse in Durham Road, York Road, Ripon Road and surrounding streets in St Nicholas.

Stevenage Central

• ASB in the town centre
• Cuckooing involving vulnerable residents.

Stevenage South

• Speeding and vehicle nuisance.
• Drug use and associated crime.

Neighbourhood Inspector Nicholas Redfearn said: "Feedback from members of the public plays a big part in our decision making and information provided via the Constabulary’s community voice platform ‘echo’ is used to help shape the priorities, alongside an analysis of local data.

"I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to provide feedback through echo or who completed the priority setting OWL survey.

Get more stories like this delivered to your inbox every week by signing up to our newsletter.

“Over the coming months, local residents will see their dedicated team of PCs and PCSOs working to address their policing priorities, through increased police presence, engagement events and targeted enforcement.

“Though these are local priorities, suggested directly by the community, officers will still be out and about responding to any other issues and concerns as usual, supported by response teams and specialist units."

Along with the new priorities, Hertfordshire police have also welcomed a new sergeant into its Stevenage South Safer Neighbourhood Team.

Sergeant John Hickmott of the Stevenage South Safer Neighbourhood Team. (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary)

Sergeant John Hickmott commented: "I really like neighbourhood policing because it provides us with a lot of variety.

"You get the opportunity to problem-solve in the longer term, react to real time incidents and be pro-active around crime prevention and awareness.

“Local officers get to really know their community and the crime types associated with it.

"Building relationships with local residents and being able to make a difference to their lives is very satisfying.”