David Taylor MP hosts meeting on antisocial behaviour in Hemel town centre
Around 40 residents, businesses, landlords and local organisations came together at the South Hill Centre last week for a meeting on antisocial behaviour in Hemel town centre.
The event was chaired by David Taylor MP, who was joined on a panel by Chief Inspector Paul Stanbridge (Hertfordshire Police), Natasha Beresford (Strategic Director, Housing & Property Services, Dacorum Borough Council) and Rebecca Clarke (Private Sector Housing Manager, Dacorum Borough Council). The panel provided updates on enforcement activity and ongoing work, while hearing directly from residents about their concerns.
Issues raised included antisocial behaviour, shoplifting and the perception that the town centre feels unsafe, particularly in the evening. Residents also highlighted the impact of a quieter night-time economy.
Despite these concerns, partners reported positive progress. Crime is falling locally, with more than 1,200 additional cases solved last year, and shoplifting down by a third due to joint working between police, retailers and the council. Hertfordshire Police also confirmed that facial recognition vans will be deployed to target repeat offenders.
David Taylor MP said: “Residents were clear that while progress is being made, more needs to be done to ensure people feel safe in our town centre. This meeting was an important opportunity to bring everyone together, share updates and focus on practical solutions.
“Since being elected as the MP for Hemel, I have made tackling crime a priority, working with the police, Dacorum Borough Council and the Home Office to secure more resources locally and support over 200 residents with casework. But we know reporting remains key to driving further action.”
He has also pressed the Home Office for a Hemel Respect Orders pilot focused on the town centre—giving faster powers to crack down on repeat ASB offenders and deliver earlier intervention and tougher enforcement.
Attendees were encouraged to report incidents via 101 or online, as police emphasised that intelligence from residents directly informs patrols and enforcement activity. Each neighbourhood now also has a named local officer with a 72-hour response guarantee via Herts Police's website.
Alongside enforcement, discussions focused on longer-term improvements to the town centre. Dacorum Borough Council confirmed that an environmental survey has been completed to identify areas for improved lighting and CCTV. There was also a shared commitment to boosting the night-time economy and making better use of public spaces such as the Water Gardens, as part of wider regeneration plans.
The meeting forms part of ongoing work to improve safety and support regeneration in Hemel town centre, with further updates expected in the coming months.