The way our police are managed is being reorganised as they, like you and me, try to save a bit more money in these difficult times. But the good news is that the figures show what hopefully most of us already know – Hertfordshire is a very safe place to live in.
The information was provided in the draft Strategic Policing Plan that your committee was asked to comment on. In November 2012 the Hertfordshire Police Authority will be replaced by a directly elected Police and Crime Commissioner. Instead of a Strategic Policing Plan, the Commissioner will be required publish a Police and Crime Plan, which also reflects their broader responsibilities regarding community safety and criminal justice. Our force is also working more closely with the constabularies in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire to share resources.
The good news is that the county has low general levels of crime, the lowest levels of home burglary for over 5 years, and the lowest levels of serious violent crime in the country. Our police currently detect around 35% of recorded crime. Although this figure may appear low, it is in fact one of the highest is the country.
Importantly for us the Police Authority has stated that neighbourhood policing teams and numbers of PCSOs will be maintained at their current strength.