Boundary Changes

Hertfordshire Police Boundary Changes.

In response to the government White Paper on Police Reform in July 1993, a joint paper from the Police Authority and County Council was formally submitted to the Home Office, setting out a case for the whole of Hertfordshire to be covered by one police service. They argued it would save money and improve efficiency, quoting the Metropolitan Police areas of Hertfordshire cost 15% more to run.

However, the Home Secretary rejected the idea, claiming there was no strong operational reason to alter the borders.

A change of opinion.

The next Home Secretary reversed this stance, and on 16th June 1998, he announced that the boundaries of the Metropolitan Police District would be adjusted to make them “coterminous with Greater London”.

This resulted in the transfer of specific areas in Hertfordshire, Essex, and Surrey from the Metropolitan Police Service to their respective county constabularies. The primary goal of this decision was to align police borders with local councils and Criminal Justice agencies, thereby increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of local services.

Consequently, the Hertfordshire Constabulary took over policing responsibilities for several areas previously under Metropolitan Police jurisdiction. This transition officially took effect on 1st April 2000, aligning with the creation of the London Police Authority.

The affected Hertfordshire areas changed to the county force included:

Aldenham, Borehamwood, Bushey, Cheshunt, Cuffley, Elstree, Goffs Oak, Northaw, Potters Bar, Radlett, Ridge, Shenley, Waltham Cross. The transfer of these communities increased the Hertfordshire Constabulary’s policing population by an initial 17.5%.

Boundary Project Team.

A Boundary Project team, consisting of: Project Manager, Project Officer, 2 Project Researchers, Project Support Officer and Project Support Assistant, led by Project Director ACC Jim Nicolson was created, to prepare and oversee the smooth transition. Topics to be addressed included: Divisional Services (e.g. Custody, Traffic Wardens, Special Constabulary); Corporate Services; Funding Issues; Staffing Issues (including seconded officers, support staff, recruitment); Estates Issues; Managing Crime; Legal Issues; Communications (including press and PR); Any other issues e.g. data transfer, Police Support Units, Risk Assessment, Transfer of assets; Post Implementation Review; Operational Orders.  A Boundary Project Intranet site with Homepage and Q&A was set up, and a Boundary 2000 logo was devised.

Boundary Project Logo.

Keeping staff and public informed.

Over the course of nearly two years, in addition to the Boundary Project intranet site, regular updates were published in Herts Beat, including Q&A sessions, and a set of cover – bound factsheets were issued, to keep staff informed of the changes being made, in addition to press releases to staff and the public.

July 1998 issue of Herts Beat.

Boundary 2000 Factsheets:

Boundary Bulletin.

A series of seven Boundary Bulletins were issued to all staff between June 1999 and April 2000 to provide updates on the Boundary Project, the decisions being made and how they would affect policing services in Hertfordshire.

Boundary Bulletin issue 1.

Boundary Bulletin headers.

Boundary Bulletin Issue 7.

Joining Forces – Spring 2000 Community Newspaper.

Joining Forces,  a joint community newspaper from Hertfordshire Constabulary and Hertfordshire Police Authority was delivered to householders in Hertsmere, Broxbourne, Northaw and Cuffley. The 8-page newspaper provided information about their new police service – Hertfordshire Constabulary.

The start of a new era.

At just after midnight on 1st April 2000 the new policing systems took over smoothly, completing the handover without any technical difficulties.  The first arrest in Hertsmere was at 3am and in Broxbourne the first was at 4am.