SAFER HERTS CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED

A campaign to spread the word that Hertfordshire really is a safe place to live, was launched today (Monday). “Safer Herts” is a multi-agency campaign aimed at providing reassurance to people who live, work or visit the county.
Local dignitaries and chief officers from a number of partner agencies were there to launch the campaign, which includes advertisements at train stations and on the backs of over 100 buses travelling across the county. The message will also be used on posters, leaflets and on a mobile advertising hoarding (pictured) at events.
Crime went down in the county again last year, giving a total reduction of over 25% in the last five years – that's the equivalent of 26,000 fewer victims than in 2005. However, despite these low and falling crime rates, some people still think the risk of crime is much higher than the reality.
All the local authorities, health, fire and rescue, police and HertsWatch and other voluntary organisations, have been successfully working together to cut crime and reduce anti-social behaviour. Together they are also helping to spread the “Safer Herts” message to try and increase people's feelings of safety.
Chief Constable Frank Whiteley said: “It's all about making sure people know the facts and not the fiction. All too often people's perception of local crime and disorder is influenced by local and national media and even storylines in TV soaps. We want to work with local communities and the media to make sure people get the right advice and information to make them feel and be safer.”
The campaign also aims to discourage the myth that young people ‘hanging around' are always ‘up to something'. “Young people are often unfairly branded as ‘trouble' and blamed for crime and disorder – there are 260,000 under 19s the county (Editors Note: figures from 2001 census) and the vast and overwhelming majority of them are well-behaved citizens who never get into, or cause, any trouble,” said County Executive Member for Community Safety, Councillor Keith Emsall.
“In fact, young people are more likely to be victims of crime than offenders.” Last year less than 6 per cent of offenders arrested for crimes in Hertfordshire were under the age of 18. In addition, in conflict with the picture portrayed in the media, the majority of ASBOs (Anti-Social Behaviour Orders) are made against people over 18 – the same age group that commit the majority of criminal damage offences that are detected.”
Keith added: “We urge people to think twice before assuming that the group of teenagers in the park, or outside the local shops, is something to be worried about. Most of them are simply socialising with their peers, sticking together in a public place for convenience, security and just to be with their friends out of school or college.
“However, if you are in any way concerned about their behaviour – if it is disorderly or rowdy, for example – you have the right to ask for help from the police and council and if you think there is a serious risk of harm to a person or property, or you witness a crime in progress, you should always dial 999.”
Neighbourhood police teams and council street or park wardens can help with immediate concerns and work together with communities to solve problems in the longer term. For example, local police are able to confiscate alcohol and councils can help with the removal of racist or offensive graffiti.

July 2010