A new sergeant has joined the north Watford police team and says she is “here to stay”.

The North Watford Safer Neighbourhood Team has been through a period of great change, culminating in the recruitment of sergeant Clare Ramirez.

She has more than ten years’ experience with the force, having started in Watford’s intervention team, responding to emergency calls.

Sergeant Ramirez worked as a detective on the Child Abuse Investigation Unit, and most recently worked with the custody team in Hatfield, where she was responsible for the prisoners brought into custody.

She will be joining a team of constables and PCSOs, which will cover the areas of Woodside, Stanborough, Callowland, Leggatts, Meriden and Tudor, responding to community issues.

Sergeant Ramirez said: “The team has had a number of sergeants in recent months but I’m here to stay.

“This is a role I really wanted to do and I’m really pleased to be returning to Watford. It is an area I know well and where both crime and anti-social behaviour are reducing. I want to keep it this way and achieve further reductions.

“I’m looking forward to forging links with the community and understand what is of concern to them so we can work together.

“I’m keen to ensure we get on top of issues before they escalate, whether it is an emerging crime series or issues of anti-social behaviour.”

In addition to sergeant Ramirez, PC James Irlen and PC David Stansbury have swapped beats.

PC Irlen has covered the Woodside area for the past 18-months and is now taking over PC Stansbury’s beat, Leggatts.

During his time on Woodside, PC Irlen has worked to reduce anti-social behaviour across the ward by 79 percent.

He said: “There were some real issues when I joined but things have steadily improved.

“I’ve taken a zero tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour, dealing with offenders and raising issues with their parents with the housing trust, who can threaten their tenancy if the child’s behaviour continues.

“I’ve really enjoyed working in the area and getting to know local people. Legatts will provide a new challenge for me and I’m looking forward to dealing with local issues there.”

PC Stansbury has been with the team for just over five months, covering Leggatts. He will be taking over the Woodside area from James.

David has previously worked as an intervention officer, responding to 999 calls in the Hertsmere area.

He said: “I’m looking forward to the challenge of continuing James’s good work in Woodside.

“In the coming months, we’ll be working on some joint operations with other officers on the team to tackle acquisitive crime, drugs and drink driving.

“We’re also planning some road safety operations across the north Watford area.”