Police have hailed the benefits of a new scheme to boost visible officers on patrol across multiple areas including Watford.

Operation Hotspot, a £1 million government-backed scheme, recently led to arrests and two thieves being jailed - after first launching a few months ago.

Funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner's office, it aims to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour by targeting crime hotspots - which also include Rickmansworth, South Oxhey, Borehamwood and St Albans.

Officers recently targeted the Shenley Road area of Borehamwood which led to nine arrests and eventually two "prolific" shoplifters being jailed, police said.

Neighbourhood Inspector Rachael Robertson said: "Operation Hotspot is allowing us to carry out additional patrols on top of our daily business, to help deter crime and antisocial behaviour in an area that has traditionally seen higher volumes of crime.

"The patrols have proved a real success over the summer, enabling us to make additional arrests and get prolific offenders off the streets. These patrols will continue."