Have your say at socially distanced neighbourhood surgeries in Tring and Berkhamsted

The Berkhamsted and Tring Safer Neighbourhood Team is running ‘socially distanced’ neighbourhood surgeries to help residents deal with any community issues affecting them during the coronavirus pandemic.

The telephone surgeries, which have been scheduled over four days next week, are open to those living in Berkhamsted, Tring and the surrounding villages.

A separate telephone surgery for the Hemel Hempstead area and nearby villages will be scheduled for next month.

In line with the current Government restrictions, neighbourhood teams across the county have postponed beat surgeries and other community events to comply with social distancing.

However, they are scheduling neighbourhood surgeries by phone so residents can still contact an officer to discuss any concerns they may have.

Sergeant Damien Hewitt, who leads the Berkhamsted and Tring Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “We understand that residents may be feeling anxious about the face-to-face accessibility to police being significantly reduced at the moment.

"We have had to postpone a number of events however the phone surgeries are an alternative way of allowing our communities direct contact with officers to discuss issues that are affecting their quality of life.

"Our teams work with partners, such as Dacorum Borough Council and housing providers, to prevent and reduce crime and disorder, improve neighbourhood conditions and increase feelings of security in their communities.”

PC Laz Clark will be holding two telephone surgeries for Tring and the surrounding villages; one on Monday, May 4, and one on Tuesday, May 5. He will be available to take calls on

07590 444601 between 10am and 2pm.

PCSO Katie Braham will be holding two telephone surgeries for Berkhamsted and the surrounding villages; one on Wednesday, May 6, and one on Thursday, May 7.

She will be available to take calls on 07736 481220 between 10am and 2pm.

You can call the officers to discuss your concerns relating to anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping, drug-related crime, vandalism and any other issues which affect your quality of life in Berkhamsted, Tring and the surrounding villages.

If you would like to report a mass gathering that contravenes the government’s social distancing measures, use the online reporting form to ease pressure on our 101 and 999 calls.

Sergeant Hewitt added: “If PCSO Braham or PC Clark are unable to answer your question or deal with your concern straight away, they will be able to direct you to the relevant team or

partner.

“However please remember that this is not an alternative way of reporting crime or an ongoing incident. If a crime is in progress or someone’s life is in danger, please call 999 immediately.”

If you don’t have time to call, you can still tell the teams what you think by using the online feedback platform, echo.