Police target anti-social behaviour by youths in Bishop’s Stortford and retail crime in Sawbridgeworth

Police will focus on anti-social behaviour (ASB) by youths in Bishop’s Stortford town centre and retail crime in Sawbridgeworth at the start of 2025.

Neighbourhood policing teams (NPTs) across East Herts have set their law and order priorities for the next four months. Hertfordshire Constabulary has also reported on the results of its last targeted enforcement.

At the end of 2024, the aim was to reduce vehicle-related ASB in the Link Road car park area of Stortford. As a result, patrols were carried out and drivers were questioned.

Officers issued “several section 59 warning notices”, which means they can seize repeat offenders’ vehicles. New signs were installed to warn about the consequences of anti-social driving.

To reduce speeding in Hadham Road in Stortford, regular speed checks took place. One driver was issued with a Traffic Offence Report after he was clocked travelling at 54mph in the 30mph zone.

In response to vehicle-related ASB in Sawbridgeworth, there were extra patrols and public appeals were issued to identify the culprits. Neighbourhood officers used a drone to help track offenders and work is continuing.

Hertfordshire Constabulary said: “NPTs work alongside partners to focus on solving long- and short-term neighbourhood issues, such as ASB, theft, speeding and drug-related crime.

“Using an analysis of data, they set local policing priorities every four months to provide a specific focus on the issues which are causing the most concern to residents locally. Feedback from members of the public also plays a vital part.”