Hertfordshire Constabulary

Hertfordshire Constabulary
Name	Hertfordshire Constabulary
Formed	1841
Preceding1	County Police
Jurisdiction	Hertfordshire
Headquarters	Welwyn Garden City
Country	England
Sworn	2,200 (approx.)
Civilian	1,000 (approx.)
Chief1 name	Charlie Hall
Chief1 position	Chief Constable
Agency type	Territorial police force
Website	https://www.herts.police.uk/

Hertfordshire Constabulary is the territorial police force responsible for policing the ceremonial county of Hertfordshire in England. Established under the County Police Act 1839, its jurisdiction covers ten local authority districts including major urban centres like Watford, Stevenage, and Hemel Hempstead. The force headquarters is located in Welwyn Garden City and it operates under the strategic oversight of the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner.

History

The force was formally established in 1841, following the enabling legislation of the County Police Act 1839, which mandated the creation of county constabularies across England and Wales. Its early history was shaped by the policing challenges of rural Hertfordshire and the influence of the Metropolitan Police Service from neighbouring London. A significant organisational change occurred in 1966 when it amalgamated with the Barnet and East Barnet divisions, which were later transferred to the Metropolitan Police following the Local Government Act 1972. The force has since evolved, notably adopting the Airwave digital communications network and later transitioning to the national Emergency Services Network.

Structure and organisation

The constabulary is divided into three main geographic command units: North, East, and West, aligning with the county's ten borough and district council areas. It is part of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire collaboration, which shares major specialist capabilities such as the Tri-Force Specialist Operations Unit and the Joint Protective Services. Support functions include a Dog Unit based at Police Support Units in Stevenage and Borehamwood, and a partnership with the National Police Air Service for aerial support. The force is governed by the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, with the current incumbent being David Lloyd.

Operations and policing areas

Operational policing is delivered through a network of local stations and Safer Neighbourhood Teams across districts including Dacorum, Three Rivers, and St Albans. The force manages major road networks such as the M1, M25, and A1(M), through its Roads Policing Unit. It works closely with partners like the Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and the East of England Ambulance Service on multi-agency initiatives. Specialist operations cover areas such as counter-terrorism, with links to the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit, and economic crime via the Hertfordshire Cyber Hub.

Chief officers

The chief constable is the force's highest-ranking officer, with the current postholder being Charlie Hall, who was appointed in 2019. Previous notable chief constables include Frank August CBE, who later led the Royal Hong Kong Police Force, and Paul Scott-Lee, who subsequently served as Chief Constable of the West Midlands Police. The force's senior leadership team also includes a Deputy Chief Constable and several Assistant Chief Constables, who oversee portfolios such as operations and local policing. The role of the chief constable is scrutinised by the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Panel.

Notable incidents and investigations

The constabulary has investigated several high-profile cases, including the 2002 murder of Hannah Foster in Southampton, which involved extensive cross-border collaboration with Hampshire Constabulary. It led the operation against the Brink's-Mat robbery suspects connected to the Hatched Manor in Hertfordshire. The force was also involved in the manhunt for Raoul Moat in 2010, providing armed support to Northumbria Police. More recently, it has managed investigations linked to organised crime networks operating across the Home Counties.

Performance and public perception

The force's performance is assessed by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, with recent reports highlighting effectiveness in areas like neighbourhood policing but noting challenges in response times to non-emergency calls. Public perception surveys, such as the Office for National Statistics' Crime Survey for England and Wales, indicate generally favourable ratings for local policing compared to other forces in the Eastern region. The constabulary actively engages with communities through initiatives like the Hertfordshire Watch scheme and maintains a visible presence at major public events such as the British Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit.

Category:Police forces of England Category:Organisations based in Hertfordshire Category:1841 establishments in England