Community Safety Issues

Scams come in many forms: emails, on social media, by post, by phone, by text or in person at your door.  They all make false promises to con you out of your money. 


It might be a scam if:

  • It seems too good to be true
  • You suspect you’re not dealing with a real company, organisation or a genuine person  
  • You’ve been pressurized to transfer money quickly
  • You’ve been asked to pay in an unusual way, for instance by a transfer service or by vouchers
  • You’ve been asked to give away personal information such as passwords, PINs or other verification codes.

It’s OK to say no.  Speak to a friend of family member for advice before agreeing to anything you’re not sure about.  Take a moment to step back and double-check before saying yes.  Have a look at our downloadable leaflet for more information on protecting yourself from scams and frauds.

 And if you suspect a scam, check out Hertfordshire County Council's website for further advice on signs to look out for and how to report your concerns.    

 

Rogue traders

 

A rogue trader can contact you in many ways. They might cold-call or post a leaflet through the door or respond to a job posted on a trader matching website.  They might even reach you through a ‘trusted trader’ website if the full checks haven’t been done properly.


Key warning signs to look out for are:

  • A small job turns into a bigger one, for example, a quote for replacing some loose tiles turns into a whole roofing job. 
  • There is a lack of paperwork before the work starts.  You should have full details such as the trader’s name, address and contact details; a full description of works and materials to be used; the cost including whether VAT is included; and cancellation rights. 
  • An expensive quote is quickly reduced on condition the work is carried out straight away. 
  • The trader claims that the job is urgent and puts pressure on you to agree.

Protecting yourself against rogue traders 

  • Never buy goods or services at the door. 
  • Remember that you can always say no and get another trader to confirm if the work is actually needed and what a reasonable price would be.  
  • To find a good trader, use personal recommendations but ensure they are from people you know, not just from a neighbourhood group.  Alternatively, Hertfordshire Trading Standards have partnered with Which? Trusted Traders. Traders with a 'Hertfordshire Trading Standards approved' logo have been assessed by trading standards professionals and DBS checked. 

For more advice about rogue traders, or to ask for help from Trading Standards, call the Citizens Advice Consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.  However, if the trader is aggressive or starts work without your agreement, call the police on 999. 

 

If you have been a victim of a scam

 

  • Talk to your bank or card company immediately if you’ve handed over any financial and sensitive information or made a payment
  • You can report a scam and get advice from Citizen’s Advice. 
  • Report text scams to your mobile phone provider by forwarding it free to 7726.
  • Report the scam to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. 


Useful organisations

  

  • An initiative set up by National Trading Standards, Friends Against Scams aims to protect and prevent people from becoming the victim of a scam.  Their website is packed with advice on what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones.  
  • OWL (Online Watch Link) is used by Hertfordshire Constabulary and local coordinators to help keep communities safe, reduce crime and keep people informed of what’s going on locally. You can sign up for regular emails regarding crime and fraud in your area. 


 

What is Anti-social Behaviour (ASB)?

ASB is defined as 'behaviour by a person which causes, or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to persons not of the same household as the person'.

ASB is not one type of behaviour and is instead a wide range of behaviours that can cause a nuisance or annoyance to others.  The following are some examples of ASB:

  • Shouting, swearing and fighting
  • Neighbour disputes
  • Noise related nuisance
  • Abusive behaviour with the intent to cause distress
  • Animal related nuisance such as dog fouling or dogs not under control
  • Flytipping of rubbish
  • Harassment and intimidation
  • Damage and vandalism
  • Driving in a way to cause a nuisance

The above list is not exhaustive and depending on the circumstances may also be criminal behaviour depending on the available evidence.

What is not considered ASB?

Differences in lifestyles, opinions and personalities do not constitute ASB.  The following behaviours are also not typically considered ASB (unless there is an aggravating factor):

  • Parking (including badly parked vehicles)
  • Children playing
  • Neighbours doing DIY (at reasonable times of the day)
  • Groups of people in the street or in parks, unless they are being rowdy, abusive, causing damage or committing other crimes
  • Noise caused by everyday living
  • Religious or cultural practice
  • A one-off party
  • General living noise

What to do if you are experiencing ASB

When living in close proximity to our neighbours, sometimes certain things that might irritate us are not considered as antisocial.  Where it is safe to do so, you should first try to approach the other party involved to explain how their actions are affecting you and asking them to change their behaviour. Other people may not be aware that their behaviour is causing distress or nuisance and by letting them know may help.

If you feel threatened, intimidated, or witness a crime, you should always contact the police first by calling 999.  Telephone 101 for non-emergencies.

Keeping a record.  

When you report ASB, you will be asked for details of the incident(s), when and how often it occurs and how it affects you.  By keeping a record helps us deal with your concerns.  If you would like to receive diary sheets to record incidents, please email community.safety@eastherts.gov.uk

How to report to ASB

If you are a tenant or a leaseholder of a property and haven’t been able to resolve the situation yourself, you should contact your landlord for help and advice.  Your housing provider is likely to have an ASB Policy that you can refer to.  A list of Housing Association contact numbers are available on our website here: housing-association-contact-numbers

To report ASB to East Herts Council Community Safety please complete our ASB Reporting Form, available on our website here:  ASB Reporting Form, email community.safety@eastherts.gov.uk or telephone 01279 655261.

The information you provide is treated as confidential and whilst the form can be completed anonymously by not including your contact details we are unable to update you on any action taken.

Confidentiality

Although you may make reports of ASB anonymously, sometimes this can limit the actions we can take.  Please be reassured your personal information will not be given to a third party without your consent. This includes information that we give to the person causing ASB.  

 

What is an ASB Case Review?

Introduced into legislation by the ASB Crime and Policing Act 2014, the ASB Case Review provides victims with a voice. It is NOT a complaints procedure, but an opportunity for an independent review to be held to see what, if anything else, can be done to resolve anti-social behaviour that has been reported. 

It will not replace existing complaints procedures about the conduct or response of a specific officer or agency.

The intended function is to ensure partnership agencies, such as Police, your Local Authority and/or housing provider work together to determine the most appropriate solution. 

The East Herts ASB Case Review is independently chaired by an experienced case worker who has not had any involvement in the case. By using an independent chair ensures impartiality and fairness throughout the review process. 

What happens at an ASB Case Review?

The purpose of the ASB Case Review is not to find blame.

The ASB Case Review brings together the agencies and officers who have been involved in your ASB case to discuss the incidents reported, actions taken so far and consideration of  additional actions that may be needed or recommended.   

We appreciate that some people (victims) may feel overwhelmed attending a meeting however, we encourage the victim(s) to attend the first part of the review to provide an impact statement. The purpose of the statement is to help panel members understand the harm and impact the ASB has caused. 

After the impact statement has been read and any questions/queries have been answered, the victim(s) will be asked to leave and the review will commence. 

We recommend the victim is supported during the meeting and suggest using the professional, free services of an experienced support worker from Beacon Victim Care. A Community Safety & ASB officer from East Herts Council can make a referral on your behalf.  To request a referral either email community.safety@eastherts.gov.uk or telephone 01279 655261and ask for Community Safety. 

Who can request an ASB Case Review Review and what is the required threshold that needs to be met?

Any resident within East Herts however you will need to have met the following threshold:

  • You have reported at least three incidents of ASB within the last six months to your housing provider, local authority and/or police.
     
  • Each of the incidents were reported within one month of the ASB taking place.
     
  • The last reported incident was within the last six months. 

Residents outside of East Hertfordshire will need to contact their local authority.  To find out who your local authority is please visit: Find your local council - GOV.UK

What happens once I have submitted a request for an ASB Case Review?
  • If you have completed the submission form online, you will receive an automated acknowledgement confirming receipt of your completed submission form.
  • Agencies who have been involved in the ASB case will be notified that an ASB Case Review submission has been received.
  • Your submission will be reviewed by the Community Safety and ASB Manager, who will determine if the threshold has been met or not. We anticipate the review taking no longer than 10 working days*. You will be contacted within this timeframe. 

*It is important to note that this timescale is dependent upon staff availability. If we anticipate the review will take longer, you will be notified.

 

If the threshold is not met:

Examples of why the threshold may not be met:

  • The incidents are outside of the six-month time frame.
  • One or more of the incidents provided is still under investigation or there has been insufficient time for agencies to investigate.
  • The details provided suggest a complaint about a specific agency or officer is more appropriate. You will be given information on how to make a complaint to the relevant agency.
  • There are no records to substantiate that the reports have been made.

You will be advised why the threshold has not been met. Relevant advice and information may also be provided. 

What happens If the threshold is met:
  • Within 2 business days of receiving confirmation that your submission for an ASB Case Review has been met you, or your advocate, will be written to advising on the next steps.
  • Agencies who have been involved in your ASB case will be written to.  They will be requested to collate all information associated with the reported incidents, including any actions taken.
  • A member of the Community Safety Team at EHC, will seek an independent case worker/professional to chair the ASB Case Review. The appointed chair will not have had any involvement in the case and will take an impartial role.
  • We will work with you to determine any days/dates that might not be suitable for you. 
  • EHC Community Safety Team will liaise with all parties to determine a mutually convenient date and time for the ASB Case Review to take place. The meeting will take place as soon as practicably possible and will be held in person, likely at East Herts District Council. Video conferencing, will also be available via Microsoft Teams, should this be necessary.
  • You will be kept informed throughout the process.
  • You and all agencies involved will be written to confirming the date and time of the meeting.
  • We recommend victims of ASB are supported by Beacon Victim Care.  Beacon’s support workers have knowledge and expertise of ASB Case Reviews and assisting victims in the preparation of statements.  Information relating to Beacon and how they can support is available here: What We Do - Beacon
  • If you are yet to be supported by Beacon, and would like to be referred, please contact community.safety@eastherts.gov.uk or telephone 01279 655261 and request to speak to the Community Safety department.
  • East Herts Council Community Safety team are available during office hours, Monday to Friday and can be contacted either by email: community.safety@eastherts.gov.uk or telephone: 01279 655261
What can I expect at the ASB Case Review?
  • Officers from agencies who have been involved in your ASB case will be requested to attend. In most cases this will include officers who have decision making responsibility and authority.
  • The meeting will be chaired by an independent trained officer, who has had no prior involvement in the case and who will have had the opportunity prior to the meeting to review the reports made by the victim and any actions taken by the agencies who were in receipt of reports.
  • We recommend the victim(s) attends the initial part of the ASB Case Review to provide an impact statement. The purpose of the impact statement will help the chair and panel members understand the harm and impact the ASB is causing.  We recommend that victims are assisted by an experienced support worker from Beacon Victim Care.  

    Information relating to Beacon is available here: What We Do - Beacon or telephone 03000 11 55 55. 
     
  • If you would like to be referred to Beacon please contact the East Herts Community Safety Team by email: community.safety@eastherts.gov.uk or telephone: 01279 655261
  • Once the impact statement has been read, and after the Chair has asked any questions they may have, the victim will leave the meeting; accompanied out of the meeting room by their support worker or other officer.

 

IMPORTANT: It is important to note that due to the nature of information being shared and taking into consideration data protection laws, only professionals/case workers will be in attendance during the review process.

 

  • The chair will question officers seeking clarification, as necessary.

 

Where applicable the Chair will make and assign recommendations on any applicable actions now needed, and in line with legislative powers under the ASB Crime and Policing Act.

Outcome:

Following the ASB Case Review the victim will be written to and advised of The Chair’s  recommendations. It is important to be reminded that due to data laws (GDPR), where there is a third party involved, it may not be possible to share specific information or actions.

To ensure continuity, the victim will be provided with a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) moving forward. 

 

How to request an ASB Case Review:

Please see: ASB Case Review Policy and Procedure

Complete the online form
Email: community.safety@eastherts.gov.uk
Tel: 01279 655261

What is a hate crime?

A hate crime is any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim, or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person's actual or perceived;

  • race,
  • religion,
  • sexual orientation,
  • transgender identity, or
  • disability.

Examples of hate crimes can include;

  • physical abuse or violence,
  • verbal abuse or threats,
  • sexual abuse,
  • offensive calls or texts,
  • written/printed abuse (including offensive mail or email),
  • indirect attacks,
  • harassment, exclusion or isolation,
  • damage to property, and
  • online abuse.

What is a hate incident?

A hate incident is recorded when someone is discriminated against because of any of the above listed characteristics, but a criminal offence has not been committed. The police also monitor hate incidents.

Hate incidents could include: Not allowing someone to enter a club because of their ethnicity, laughing at homophobic jokes, or refusing to let someone with a disability sit next to you. Just because a crime has not been committed does not mean the behaviour is acceptable, and the police still record and investigate hate incidents. In many cases hate incidents can turn into hate crime. For example, bullying can become the criminal offence of harassment.

East Herts Council is now registered as a Third-Party Reporting Centre for Hate Crime

Research consistently shows that hate crimes and incidents are more under-reported than other crime. Many people, for a variety of reasons, are reluctant to report crime directly to the police and Third-party reporting is a way to overcome this.

East Herts Council has agreed to make reports to the police on behalf of victims who do not want to go directly to the police. We will provide a supportive, positive and confidential environment for hate crime victims to make a report. You can remain anonymous if you wish, and you don’t need to have contact with the police if you don’t want to. 

For further information, please email community.safety@eastherts.gov.uk or healthyhubeh@eastherts.gov.uk or call Ric Maraia on 07936 953178 to register your hate crime report. 

Other resources

Modern slavery is a growing problem globally and can take many forms, including the coercion, exploitation, deception and/or trafficking of people for labour, sex, criminality, organ removal, marriage and servitude.

Although slavery is illegal in every country, it still happens all over the world, including in Hertfordshire. It can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender and ethnicity.

Spotting the Signs

The signs of modern slavery and exploitation are often hidden, making it difficult to recognise potential victims.

However, the most common signs are:

  • Restricted freedom of movement and/or isolation.
  • No identification documents and/or these documents being held by someone else.
  • Poor working and/or living conditions.
  • Unusual travel times to and from work and/or unidentified locations.
  • Fear and/or reluctance to seek help.
  • Lack of knowledge and/or dependency on others.
  • Poor physical appearance (signs of abuse, unexplained injuries and/or malnourishment).
  • Few personal possessions and/or clothes.

Signs specific to children could also include:

  • An unknown adult caring for a child i.e. an absent parent or legal guardian.
  • Several unrelated children found at a single address.
  • Frequently moving or travelling to/from different locations.
  • Poor school attendance and withdrawal from activities, family, friends etc.
  • Tiredness and/or aggression.
  • Travelling unaccompanied by an adult and/or in groups with persons who are not relatives.
  • Use of inappropriate and/or over-sexualised language.
  • Association with known or suspected gang members.

More information to support you in spotting the signs can be found on the Stop Exploitation website which includes advice for different industries, including signs for specific industries.

Reporting Modern Slavery or Exploitation

  • In an emergency, call 999.
  • In a non-emergency, call 101 (request for the modern slavery unit).
  • If you have a suspicion or concern, but are unsure whether to act on it, call the 24/7 charity-run Modern Slavery Helpline anonymously on 08000 121 700 or report online. With access to interpreters in 200 languages, expert advisers can provide free and confidential advice and support.

Exploiters and traffickers are dangerous criminals, therefore it is vital that members of the public do not attempt to act on suspicions themselves, as they may put themselves or the victims at risk.

Hertfordshire’s Response

The Hertfordshire Modern Slavery Partnership brings together more than sixty agencies and charities from across the county to tackle modern slavery and human trafficking in all its forms. It is made up of representatives from Hertfordshire County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office for Hertfordshire, Shiva Foundation, Hertfordshire Constabulary, district and borough councils, clinical commissioning groups and NHS Trusts, charities, government agencies and more. In December 2018, the Partnership was scrutinised by Hertfordshire County Council as part of a Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Topic Group. The full report can be found here. The following resources have been developed by the Partnership for public use:

Additional Partnership resources and training materials can also be found on the Hertfordshire Modern Slavery Partnership website

Acts of terrorism and radicalisation destroy communities and lives, causing deaths and injuries to many and leaving communities living in fear and sometimes divided by hatred and confusion.

Radicalisation is the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremist ideologies.

This powerful video (Prevent: An Introduction) illustrates the impact radicalisation can have on families when someone they love is radicalised.

Prevent

Prevent is about keeping people and communities safe from the threat of terrorism. 
Prevent is one of the four elements of Counter-terrorism strategy (CONTEST) 2018, the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy. It aims to reduce the risk from terrorism, to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism, so that people can go about their lives freely and with confidence.

The three other elements of CONTEST are:

  1. Pursue (to stop terrorists attacks),
  2. Protect (to strengthen our protection against terrorists attacks) and 
  3. Prepare (when an attack occurs to mitigate its impact). 

Prevent objectives are to: 

  • Tackle the causes of radicalisation and respond to the ideological challenges of terrorism
  • Safeguard and support those most at risk of radicalisation through early intervention, identifying them and offering support
  • Enable those who have already engaged in terrorism to disengage and rehabilitate

The Prevent strategy challenges extremism by:

  • Supporting people who are at risk of being drawn into terrorist or extremist activity.
  • Working with and supporting community groups and social enterprise projects that provide support to vulnerable people.
  • Working with faith groups and institutions to assist them in providing support and guidance to people who may be vulnerable.
  • Supporting local schools, local industry and partner agencies through engagement, advice and training.

Report your concerns

If you are concerned about someone’s activities or behaviour, you can call the Anti-Terrorism Hotline on 0800 789 321 (it is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week).  If you have seen a person acting suspiciously, or if you see a vehicle, unattended package or bag which might be a threat, immediately move away and call 999.  
You can report illegal or harmful information, pictures or videos you’ve found on the internet anonymously on the Report online material promoting terrorism or extremism page on the GOV.UK website.  If you are concerned about someone becoming radicalised in your community please contact the local police by dialling 101 and ask for the PREVENT team.

ACT Early

Friends and family are often best placed to spot the signs of radicalisation. 

ACT Early is an initiative designed to provide practical help and information about preventing terrorism. The website encourages families and friends to report concerns that a loved one may be vulnerable to radicalisation and provides information on spotting the signs of potential radicalisation.

If you are worried that someone you know is being radicalised, please call the national police Prevent advice line on 0800 011 3764.

ACT early and share your concerns confidentially.  You won’t be wasting time and you won’t ruin lives, but you might save them.

Free ACT Awareness E-Learning

An award-winning counter terrorism (CT) online training course is now available to the public. Please consider signing up to become a 'CT Citizen' to help protect the UK. The ACT Awareness E-Learning has been devised by counter terrorism officers and security experts to enable you to learn how to spot the signs of suspicious behaviour and understand what to do in the event of a major incident. 

As the pandemic restrictions ease and more people returning to towns and cities, it is even more vital to return to being vigilant when you are out and about.  The course consists of seven interactive modules that each take a few minutes to complete.  You can pause and re-join at any time.  In total, it takes just 45 minutes to complete.

Register for the ACT Awareness E-Learning course

Useful links

The following websites also provide further information and advice about counter terrorism and radicalisation.

To report vandalism or graffiti please complete our online form.

Safeguarding is everybody's business we all have a part to play in preventing, identifying and reporting neglect and abuse of children and vulnerable adults.

We have put measures in place and work with other agencies/organisations to protect those that cannot protect themselves.

Key Contacts

Emergencies

If a child or young person is in immediate danger, left alone or missing and/or a vulnerable adult is at immediate risk, you should contact the emergency services immediately on 999.

Non-emergencies

Members of the public can raise their concerns with their point of contact at East Herts District Council on 01279 655261 and ask for Jonathan Geall or directly with Hertfordshire County Council.

You can also make a report online:

Child Sexual Exploitation

If you feel a child is being abused

  • Call the Police: 101 (non emergency) or 999 (for emergency use only)
  • Children's Services (including out of hours): 0300 123 4043
  • Family Lives offer a 24/7 free phone number: 0808 800 2222. Gingerbread can offer advice to lone parents on free phone 0800 802 0925 between 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday.

If you think you've been sexually exploited

  • Call the Police: 101 (non emergency) or 999 (for emergency use only), or Children's Services: 0300 123 4043
  • Call Crimestoppers anonymously 24/7 on: 0800 555 11.
  • ChildLine is a free, confidential helpline for all young people: 0800 1111. You can ring the NSPCC helpline on: 0808 800 5000.

Mental Capacity

The council recognises that the Mental Capacity Act 2005 provides a framework to empower and protect people who may lack capacity to make some decisions for themselves, or who have capacity and want to make preparations for a time when they may lack capacity in the future. 

Someone who lacks capacity due to an illness or disability (such as a mental health problem, dementia or a learning disability) may have one or more of the following issues: 

  • cannot understand information given to them to make a particular decision
  • cannot retain that information long enough to be able to make the decision
  • cannot use or weigh up the information to make the decision
  • have difficulty in communicating their decision. 

East Herts safeguarding leads will work with the appropriate partners to take the mental capacity act provisions into account when responding to reported abuse in their district. Any concerns regarding mental capacity are raised with either the Head of Housing and Health or the Service Manager – Community Wellbeing and Partnerships as safeguarding leads. 

Cuckooing is when criminals take over someone's home and use it for illegal activities. 

To find out more and seek support please visit the Hertfordshire County Council website. 

We cannot investigate private CCTV cameras and residents can get more info here: Complaints about home CCTV systems 


 

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