Issue - meetings

To receive a verbal update from Hertfordshire Constabulary on their work in the Letchworth Area.

A verbal presentation was received from PS Lisa Perks of Hertfordshire Constabulary.

Audio recording – 3 minutes 12 seconds

The Chair invited PS Lisa Perks from Hertfordshire Constabulary to present. PS Perks thanked the Chair, gave a verbal presentation and advised:

·         Crimes in Letchworth for the year 01/04/22-12/03/23 totaled 2,600 compared to 1,718 in the previous year. This was an increase of nearly 20%.

·         North Hertfordshire saw a 7.5% increase in crime and County overall saw a 2.7% increase.

·         Residential burglary had increased by 17% in Letchworth, 6.3% in North Hertfordshire and 2.3% County-wide.

·         There had been a 140% increase in business burglaries in Letchworth. North Hertfordshire had seen cases increase to 143 from 96 previously.

·         OWL messaging was being used to communicate with residents, as well as collect evidence of criminal activity, including instances of cuckooing.

·         Theft from motor vehicles had increased by 49% in Letchworth. North Hertfordshire had seen an increase to 284 cases from 242.

·         There was a large increase in Wilbury Ward, with 16 cases this year compared to 5 previously.

·         Personal robbery in Letchworth had increased to 14 cases from 6, and North Hertfordshire had seen a decrease to 53 from 58 cases last year.

·         Violence against persons decreased in Letchworth to 844 cases from 845. North Hertfordshire also saw a decrease to 2,281 from 2,370.

·         Criminal damage and arson had increased in Letchworth to 232 from 188 previously. North Hertfordshire had also seen an increase to 795 compared to 616 last year.

·         Shoplifting had increased to 182 cases from 92 in Letchworth, and North Hertfordshire had seen an increase to 453 from 300 cases previously.

·         Incidents of drug possession had decreased to 41 from 56 in Letchworth and public order offences had increased to 137 from 129.

·         Possession of offensive weapons in Letchworth had increased to 17 cases from 12.

·         Priority areas were set every 3 months, and the current priorities were theft from motor vehicles including catalytic converters and number plates, speeding in Norton Road and unlawful use of e-scooters.

The following Members asked questions:

·         Councillor Daniel Allen

·         Councillor Tamsin Thomas

·         Councillor Tom Plater

In response to Member’s questions, PS Perks advised:

·         The end of COVID restrictions could explain the crime increase in Letchworth.

·         Theft from motor vehicles was a county-wide issue. Arrests had been made by on-road policing units and the police were working to educate residents on securing catalytic converters and numberplates.

·         The cuckooing system, safeguarding vulnerable people and the use of plain-clothes officers was how drug crimes were being dealt with currently.

·         It would be ideal to have more patrols, however Police Officer recruitment and retainment issues were affecting this currently.