Recent polling via MORI shows Community Safety to be the issue judged most important for local residents – here are some of the steps taken by the local authorities to improve the level of assistance and assurance available.

As a member of the Hertfordshire Police Authority I have taken a particular interest in what is now known as the Extended Police Family – includes Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), accredited staff such as Welwyn Hatfield Council’s (WHC) Street Wardens, much strengthened Neighbourhood Watch schemes and a wide range of enforcement officers from other agencies. Both HCC and WHC are funding PCSOs in the District and every Ward has a named Neighbourhood Police Officer responsible for setting local policing priorities in consultation with local residents.

Community Fire Safety is a main priority for the Fire & Rescue Service and the Retained Firefighters operating from Welwyn Fire Station spend much of their time spreading the word.

Road Safety is a joint responsibility of Hertfordshire Highways and the Constabulary. As a County we are ahead of our targets to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured in road traffic accidents, but the number of slight injury and non-accident collisions still seems to rise causing continuing anxieties about accident risks.

Across the Welwyn Division many accident reduction schemes have been introduced since my original election in May 1993 and I have been very much involved in ensuring that the real concerns of local residents are taken into account when decisions are taken about the exact nature of the measures proposed. Safer Routes to School (SRTS) is a special concern for me.