Herts redoubles efforts to tackle violence against women and girls

The constabulary, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire and Hertfordshire County Council have been working to fully understand communities’ concerns following the murder of Sarah Everard in London earlier this year.

The County Community Safety Unit – a joint unit between police and county council – has conducted work to better understand the needs and views of women and girls.

This included a personal safety survey undertaken in June which attracted more than 13,000 public responses.

The results are now being considered by police and partners. 

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire has also recently secured more than £500,000 for safety measures including improving lighting in underpasses in Hatfield.

The national pilot StreetSafe scheme also provides a means by which the public can report locations in their neighbourhoods where they feel unsafe.

In Hertfordshire, these reports are reviewed by local police alongside relevant partners to consider what preventative action can be taken to make the areas safer.

Reports can be made anonymously at police.uk/streetsafe.

Assistant Chief Constable Genna Telfer said: “The public can be reassured that we take violence against women and girls very seriously and are committed to working with the public and our partners to reduce these awful crimes.

“The Sarah Everard case has left many of us feeling shocked and we recognise that women in particular will have been greatly shaken by what happened. We want to enhance trust between the public and the police by continuing to listen to concerns so we can address them.”

David Lloyd, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire, added: “I have been speaking to the Chief Constable Charlie Hall and partners to ensure the very real public concern of violence against women and girls is addressed with a cohesive and comprehensive approach.

“We now have a good evidence base following the results from the personal safety survey assessment to understand the perceptions of safety across public spaces.”

Anyone affected by issues such as sexual violence or domestic abuse can access help and support through a number of support services in Hertfordshire. The support given is free and can be accessed independently of reporting to police.

Any victim of crime can access support services through Hertfordshire’s victim care centre, Beacon. Call 03000 11 55 55 or visit hertfordshirebeacon.org for more information.