Safer Watford launched a new plan with key priorities to 'manage crime', 'protect our communities', and to 'reassure and inform'.
The Community Safety Partnership (CSP) has reviewed its plan which identifies how priorities set from its strategic assessment will be worked and achieved over a three year period with the plan to be refreshed and modified annually.
The CSP, also known as Safer Watford, brings together Watford Borough Council, Herts Constabulary, Herts Fire & Rescue, Herts County Council and other key local organisation to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. The partnership works together to protect the vulnerable, keep the people informed and prevent crime.
Each year, the CSP is provided with a strategic assessment from the County Analyst to review performance and monitor the delivery of the strategic objectives for community safety. This year, the key priorities in the plan are ‘managing crime’, ‘protecting our communities’, and to ‘reassure and inform’ as it takes into account, the view of the community, current trends, volumes of crime and future projections.
Specialised teams have been put together as the partnership aims to prevent crime before it occurs. For example, the anti-youth crime team are working hard to engage young people in Watford who are in need of extra support and guidance to divert them from a negative path. Since the beginning of 2019, they have worked with hundreds of students in Watford schools and have accomplished great things with the help of partners at Watford BID and Chessbrook Education Support Centre.
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor said: “The Community Safety Partnership ensures that we continue to maintain our strong relationship with the key organisations tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.
“The new plan has priorities set to protect the vulnerable, keep people informed and reassured and reduce offending.
“I know that Safer Watford will play a key role in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in our town so that this is a safe place for everyone.”
Watford Chief Inspector, Ian Grout said: “We are very lucky to have strong working relationships with our key partners who help us work towards a common goal: making Watford a safer place to live, work and visit.
“The Community Safety Partnership is vital in helping us achieve this, and the plan’s revised priorities will help us measure our success as we move forward.
“We know crime and anti-social behaviour can have a hugely profound impact on the lives of those who are affected, and we believe everybody has the right to feel safe and secure in their own home.
The Community Safety Partnership is keen to hear from communities in Watford to ensure issues that matter most to them are being tackled. Information can be submitted – anonymously if you wish – via an online feedback platform, echo. This information helps CSP shape its priorities and guarantees that the strategic plan of action is a true reflection of the community’s needs.
The success of this plan will be demonstrated by maintaining the reduced levels in anti-social behaviour and other offences across Watford and through its partnership-led approach with delivery to complex and emerging issues to reduce threats. As the low number of crimes and ASB recorded in 2020 is linked to the lock down and tier 4 strategy implemented to deal with Covid19, this data will be set aside and the 2021-2022 crime analysis data will be the baseline for evaluating the effectiveness of the new plan. You can read the all about the Community Safety Plan for 2021 – 2024 at Watford Community Safety Partnership.
