A North Bushey resident said January's spike in burglary crime shows there needs to be more communication between the police and local people.

Gerry McCormick, of Duncan Way, said the recent concentration of burglaries in a relatively short period of time has left an unnerving feeling in the area.

The 67-year-old added that, with the recent cuts, the visibility of police officers in Bushey has been very low.

He said it is difficult to build relationships and, by using the telephone system to contact local police, residents feel they have lost contact and there is a sense of semi-isolation.

He added: "It is to do with resources and making sure that residents know that if they do come forward they are going to be listened to."

The Bushey police station officially closed in June 2011, but the enquiry office closed in the previous summer, so residents have been unable to go into the station for almost three years.

Mr McCormick said residents have a responsibility to help the police in any way they can.

He added: "We can only make this place better by working together."

If residents wish to drop into their local constabulary the main police station is in Borehamwood.

Bushey Neighbourhood Sergeant, Laura Randall said: "Just because we don’t have a physical building there, it doesn’t mean we don’t have a presence."

Ms Randall added: "Neighbourhood Officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) continue to spend the majority of their time out on their wards, patrolling and dealing with local issues and crime."

Residents can contact their local Neighbourhood Officers and PCSOs by going to regular police surgeries, which are open at the Bushey Centre, situated in the Bushey Country Club, every Monday 12-1pm and Wednesdays 6.30-7.30pm.

Mr McCormick said local people need more reassurance now more than ever when they do contact the police because there is no longer a Bushey police station.

Ms Randall added: "We are always looking at innovative new ways for residents to meet officers."

PCSOs are available to speak to when they are out on patrol, and can be contacted on their radio, the non-emergency number 101 or via the Safer Neighbourhood pages.

Last weekend PCSOs were in Bushey in an effort to make more face-to-face contact with local residents.