Liberal Democrat Police and Crime Commissoner candidate Sean Prendergast spoke with residents in Stortford

Shoplifting, speeding and lack of police officers on the streets were just some of the concerns raised by Bishop Stortford residents at a recent meet and greet event with Hertfordshire Police Crime Commissioner candidate Sean Prendergast.

Liberal Democrat candidate Cllr Prendergast met and spoke with residents at a stall in the town’s high street on Saturday, April 27 before a Q&A event at the Apton Centre, Apton Road where he outlined his plans for policing in the county and addressed public concerns on crime and anti social behaviour in the area.

The former Police Community Support Officer is currently a member of North Herts Council and serves as a charity trustee for survivors of domestic abuse. If elected as Hertfordshire’s PCC, Cllr Prendergast has pledged to strengthen policing in the area.

His plans include increasing the number of Police Community Support Officers with an emphasis on crime prevention, improving the speed of burglary response and conviction rates and tackling shoplifting and anti social behaviour in the town.

He said: “It was great to meet local residents and hear their concerns. It was clear people want change and a fresh approach to policing with a more visible community police presence.

“Most people I spoke to were unaware of what the PCC does. This is unsurprising given the Conservatives failure to engage meaningfully with communities. I intend to fix this by being an accessible and visible PCC who actively involves residents in decision making. It is clear that, across Hertfordshire, this election is a straight fight between me and the Conservative candidate.”

The election to appoint the next Police Crime Commissioner for the county will take place on Thursday, May 2.