Policing in Potters Bar changed last week with the launch of a new super-division.
Created by the merger of Hertsmere police division with St Albans and Welwyn Hatfield, its headquarters will be at Borehamwood police station. It has a new approach to tackling crime and a new boss, Chief Superintendent Alison Roome-Gifford.
Hertsmere has seen an alarming drop in police numbers in recent months, as officers seconded from the Met returned to their own force. And Chief Supt Roome Gifford admitted she was concerned about recruitment, saying: "Pay is an issue for anyone starting work in the south-east and new officers will be tempted to work in the Met where they get more."
In July Hertfordshire Constabulary was short of 122 officers, and that number was projected to rise to between 161 and 287 by next April.
Hertsmere was expected to be one of the worst affected areas. However, under the new arrangement, the shortage of police will be spread across the entire county. Separate departments at the new super-division will cover different sections of police work and more civilian workers will be recruited.
October 10, 2001 18:34
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