Hertfordshire Constabulary has launched a new countywide action plan to tackle anti-social behaviour, with a renewed focus on increasing visible patrols and support for victims in Watford and across the region.
The new strategy, introduced in April 2026, aims to build upon recent successes in reducing nuisance behaviour. This work is part of a national commitment known as the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, which is facilitating increased neighbourhood policing presence across the force. Residents will have access to a named officer in their neighbourhood, with the force guaranteeing a response to all enquiries within 72 hours.
According to Chief Constable Andy Prophet, the force is prioritising prevention and stronger partnerships to address the harm caused by anti-social behaviour. “This plan strengthens our prevention work, our visibility on the streets, and our partnership approach. Most importantly, it ensures victims are at the heart of our response,” he said.
The plan follows the progress made by an initiative called Operation Hotspot, which began in May 2024. Supported by £1 million in funding from the government, the operation has already seen a 14.5 per cent drop in anti-social behaviour and serious violence across targeted areas. In Watford, these additional patrols—which have focused on high-traffic locations like the High Street and the Parade—have led to a 16 per cent reduction in anti-social behaviour.
Local enforcement remains a key part of these efforts. In March 2026, officers successfully secured a three-month closure order on a six-bedroom house on Vicarage Road. The property had been the subject of multiple reports involving theft, assault, weapons, and persistent anti-social behaviour. Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards noted that the broader action plan is designed to ensure community safety partners remain focused on prevention and taking tougher action against those responsible for repeat offences.
Through this combination of extra resources and targeted enforcement, the police say they aim to ensure that Watford residents feel safer and more supported in their communities.
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