A-Z of Crime Prevention: UNIFORM

Good afternoon Resident

I hope you have enjoyed the bank holiday weekend. I am writing to you with the ‘U’ instalment of the A-Z of Crime Prevention series. Already we are in the 21st week of 2025 and with only a few weeks left, I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank the regular readers and the new readers for checking in each week, engaging with the topics, asking questions, and sharing your stories. It really does cement the community feeling which St Albans is known for. I hope the information I have relayed over has been useful for readers of all backgrounds and has likewise allowed for positive conversations between residents and the Police. 

This week is a more light-hearted topic which relates to Police Uniform. This has recently been one of our most asked questions given that our new Chief Constable has changed the uniform of our frontline officers. Previously, frontline officers such as Response/Intervention officers and Neighbourhood officers wore a hi-vis vest carrying all our PPE equipment, whilst specialist units such as Armed Response, Roads Policing, and Rural Operational support wore black vests. Now, all Police Officers in Hertfordshire Constabulary wear black vests to add to that sense of uniformity within #TeamHerts. Our Police Community Support Officers will remain wearing hi-visibility vests to make them more visible and easily identifiable whilst on foot patrol.

Ever wondered what Police Officers carry for their daily duties? This video from Instagram was posted in July 2024 and shows one of our Response Officers walking you through the kit we carry! Check it out here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8wlsUlITGk/ . We also have a TikTok video featuring a Neighbourhood Police Officer and the kit they carry: https://www.tiktok.com/@hertspolice/video/7329121461153631521 . If you don’t have time/access to these social media posts, I have summarised the kit we carry below. 

Police Officers carry a radio, Body Worn Camera, handcuffs, PAVA irritant spray, extendable baton, and leg restraints. Some frontline officers carry TASER and officers from specialist departments like Armed Response or Dog Handlers may carry further specialist equipment to assist with their role. We carry this equipment to assist us in a variety of situations and we will always utilise the most appropriate equipment to de-escalate situations. 

Do you have any questions for us about the equipment we carry? Let us know by clicking ‘Reply’ at the bottom of this message! 

Thank you for reading. 

Best, 

Fiona.