Three Rivers working collaboratively to stop violence

Updated: 13 February 2019

Police were called at 8.30pm on Sunday, February 10, to reports of a man in Long Elms, Abbots Langley, who had sustained life-changing injuries to his hand

Police were called at 8.30pm on Sunday, February 10, to reports of a man in Long Elms, Abbots Langley, who had sustained life-changing injuries to his hand. Officers attended the scene and following a pursuit, arrested two suspects. Police are not seeking anyone else in connection with the incident at this time. The victim was taken to hospital for surgery.

Three Rivers Local Strategic Partnership has prioritised the development of its Serious Violence and Exploitation Strategy and Action Plan during the last six months. The draft strategy and action plan is supported by a Public Health Framework documents called Drawing the Lines.

Three Rivers is at the forefront of the development of the County-wide response to serious violence under the direction of the Government’s Serious Violence Strategy.

Three Rivers Community Safety Partnership is collaborating with Watford and Hertsmere Community Safety Partnerships to rapidly set up a Youth Violence Panel, to identify young people at risk of serious violence and criminal exploitation and to put in preventative measures to support them and their families. This will be the first panel to become operational in Hertfordshire. The development has drawn on learning from areas such as Hackney and Luton who have been operating their own panels for many years.

Three Rivers District Council developed and submitted a bid on behalf of the 10 Community Safety Partnerships to the Police and Crime Commissioner to fund four additional SOS Project Keyworkers across Hertfordshire to work with and support those young people at highest risk of being involved in violent crime.

While violent crime is increasing in Hertfordshire, it is still low compared to many areas.

Cllr Roger Seabourne, Lead Member for Community Safety at Three Rivers District Council, said: “It is essential that the Local Strategic Partnership continues this focus on violence across all of our key partnerships if we are to safeguard our local communities and ensure that we are a ‘No Violence Herts’. Three Rivers District Council has increased its spending on Crime and Disorder to respond to the increased threat of drug-related crime and disorder across the District and is considering further additional funding as part of the budget setting process on 26 February. We will continue to prioritise work in our Partnership to address violence and criminal exploitation associated with drug dealing.”

Cllr Sara Bedford, Leader of Three Rivers District Council, added: “Our thoughts at the moment are with the victim of this violent crime and their family.”

www.threerivers.gov.uk/gangs