Extra help for victims of anti-social behaviour in Hemel Hempstead

Additional support for victims of anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Hertfordshire has been created by the the county's Police and Crime Commissioner, David Lloyd.

A new case manager to specialise in helping those effected by ASB has been hired as part of a one-year pilot.

They are based at Hertfordshire’s victim care centre Beacon, in Welwyn Garden City, which contacts every victim of crime in the county.

The ASB workers main role is to provide vulnerable people with a high level of support that will help them to cope and recover following incidents.

Priority will be given to vulnerable victims, those under age, subject to harassment or stalking, and those repeatedly targeted.

They can also work with people where ASB incidents have not been identified as a crime, to advocate on their behalf.

They will provide confidential one-to-one support, liaison with other organisations on behalf of victims, signpost and onward referrals to specialist support.

This will involve working with relevant agencies so that Hertfordshire can provide victims with a multi-agency problem solving approach to their ASB incidents and crimes.

Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd said: “We are always looking at innovative ways of tackling crime and best helping those who are victims of crime.

“Beacon already offers one of the most comprehensive support systems in the country and this new ASB worker will reinforce their scope of work even further.

“They will work closely with our most vulnerable victims to make a real difference to their lives.

"They will also work with police, councils and housing associations to make changes to reduce the occurrence of anti-social behaviour.”

The opening of the new service comes just a month after another pilot scheme to support more victims of domestic violence.

The Beacon Safeguarding Hub is based at the Domestic Abuse Investigation and Safeguarding Unit (DAISU) at Hatfield Police Station.

The five-strong team includes three police staff and two specially trained civilian support workers from the victim service provider Catch 22.

The Beacon Safeguarding Hub is a 12-month pilot to enhance the support offered to domestic abuse victims. They will triage and contact an estimated 300 victims every month.