The Safer Town Centres event was organised by Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Hertsmere Neighbourhood Policing Team to give residents the opportunity to meet their local police officers and speak directly to other service providers in the area about issues affecting their neighbourhoods. They could ask questions and learn about the support available and what is being done to address their concerns.
It also provided an opportunity for partner organisations to come together and strengthen their working relationships. As well as Services for Young People, the Neighbourhood Policing Team was joined by the Armed Response Team, Roads Policing Unit, Hertsmere Borough Council, Community Safety Trust, and 4-4-2 Sports, who ran fun football sessions for the children and young people at the event. The constabulary’s diversion team brought along their virtual reality (VR) headsets. The immersive VR sessions are designed to help young people understand the potential consequences of carrying knives and learn more about personal safety.
Throughout the morning, Brian Kelly, Senior Youth Worker in the SfYP Hertsmere Team, pictured with PC Joe Geeson from the Elstree and Borehamwood Neighbourhood Policing Team, talked to residents about the wide range of support and services offered by SfYP.
He said: “The Safer Town Centres event was a great opportunity for me to engage with local residents, young people, parents and carers, as well as partner organisations. I spoke with many people about the work of SfYP, particularly the youth work projects we offer in the Hertsmere area which help young people to keep themselves safe from crime and antisocial behaviour. Events like this are really important for building relationships, increasing awareness of local services, and ensuring young people and families know where to access support when they need it.”
Read about how SfYP supports young people in Hertfordshire here: Support for young people
