HERTFORDSHIRE CONSTABULARY - UPDATE
To receive a verbal update from Hertfordshire Constabulary on their wok in the Hitchin area.
Decision:
A verbal presentation was received from PS Guy Westwood of Hertfordshire Constabulary.
Minutes:
Audio recording – 26 minutes 38 seconds
The Chair invited PS Guy Westwood of Hertfordshire Constabulary to present. PS Westwood thanked the Chair, gave a verbal presentation and advised:
· Hitchin Urban crimes for 2022/23 totalled 1,973 compared to 1,819 in 2021/22.
· North Hertfordshire crimes increased to 6,433 compared to 5,559 previously and County wide crimes totaled 75,459 crimes compared to 73,516 last year.
· Residential burglaries in Hitchin Urban decreased to 51 from 66 previously. North Hertfordshire and County had both seen an increase.
· The OWL system was being used to keep the public informed.
· Business and commercial burglaries had increased to 31 incidents from 27 last year in Hitchin Urban. North Hertfordshire and County had also seen an increase.
· Theft from motor vehicles in Hitchin Urban had increased to 81 incidents from 63 previously, with North Hertfordshire and County overall increasing.
· Motor vehicle thefts mostly comprised of catalytic converters, and the increase was likely caused by the increased prices of precious metals.
· Personal robbery in Hitchin Urban had decreased to 9 from 12 previously. North Hertfordshire had also seen a decrease to 28 from 33 last year.
· County wide had seen an increase in personal robbery and patrols had been increased.
· Violence against persons had decreased in Hitchin Urban to 660 from 664 previously. North Hertfordshire and County had also seen a decrease.
· Criminal damage in Hitchin Urban had increased to 314 incidents compared to 187 previously. Most incidents were in Bearton Ward, with work ongoing in the area and around the town.
· Criminal damage had also increased in North Hertfordshire and county wide.
· Shoplifting in Hitchin Urban had increased to 170 compared to 136 previously. North Hertfordshire and County had also seen an increase.
· Drugs possession incidents in Hitchin Urban had decreased to 67 compared to 85 previously. North Hertfordshire and County incidents had also decreased.
· Public order offences in Hitchin Urban had decreased to 120 from 131 previously. North Hertfordshire and County offences had also decreased.
· Possession of offensive weapons in Hitchin Urban had increased to 16 incidents from 14 last year. North Hertfordshire and County had decreased.
· The priorities were due to be renewed in April. The current priorities were residential burglary, speeding on St. Michael’s and Stotfold Roads and anti-social behaviour in open spaces.
The following Members asked questions:
· Councillor Richard Thake
· Councillor Sam Collins
· Councillor Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg
· Councillor Clare Billing
· Councillor Chris Lucas
· Councillor Val Bryant
In response to questions from Members, PS Westwood advised:
· There were 22 different crime ratings which made it difficult to break down crime data.
· There were no direct links to crimes and residents at the Lord Lister Hotel.
· School years groups were linked to shoplifting, access to alcohol which would fuel anti-social behaviour.
· County lines crimes were not as high as expected.
· One problem that came from Nitrous Oxide canisters was littering. As the effect of Nitrous Oxide was short, it was not expected to contribute anti-social behaviour.
· There were many different categories of theft, therefore figures were categorised ... view the full minutes text for item 107