Previously the Herts IAG consisted of three areas, each holding separate meetings and having a chair and vice chair in each area. It is now agreed that Herts IAG will become one single IAG covering the whole of Hertfordshire.

An interim group of IAG members are currently looking at how the new structure will function.

Some of the document s contained in this website will need updating once the changes and new structure have been finalised.

Tracing your Afro-Caribbean family history

Guest speaker Kathy Chater talks about tracing your
Afro-Caribbean family history as part of Black History Month

Saturday 10th October 2-3pm at Stevenage Library
Places are limited so booking is advisable
Tickets £3 available from Stevenage Library
Phone:  0300 123 4049
www.hertsdirect.org/libraries

Black History Month Poster

You may download a form for this purpose by following the link below.
Self-Reporting Incident Forms.

Adrian Pomfrett - Hate Police Tracey Jackson-Smith - People in Partnership (PIP)

Christopher Wright - Riversmead Housing Tracey Jackson-Smith - People in Partnership (PIP)

(left to right) Jane Dellow - People in Partnership (PIP) Christopher Wright - Riversmead Housing Samantha Bailey - Herts Police Adrian Pomfrett - Hate Police Tracey Jackson-Smith - People in Partnership (PIP) Julie Lawrence

Hate Crime Poster

POLICE in East Herts are improving the ways in which the public can report hate crime.

By late September, there will be 10 hate crime reporting boxes in locations across East Herts allowing any member of the public to report a hate crime or incident.

Hate crime is harassing, victimising, intimidating or abusing someone because of their race, faith, religion, disability or because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered.

Adrian Pomfrett from the Eastern area hate crime unit, said: “The hate crime boxes allow anyone to make a report either as a victim or as a witness, with the opportunity to stay anonymous”

“We take hate crime very seriously and treat this as a priority. What you tell us is confidential.”

If you give us your personal details Hertfordshire Constabulary has specially-trained officers who will help you understand what has happened to you. They can meet you in a place where you feel comfortable and safe. They will help you find a solution to your problem and explain your options. If you do not give us your personal details your report will still help us with valuable information to help keep the community a safer place.

Adrian continued: “We are working closely with other agencies such as the council, housing associations and community groups to support victims of hate crime.”

The hate crime reporting boxes can be found at the following community locations. These places may change from time to time in response to public demand. An up-to-date list can be found on http://www.hertsiag.co.uk/welcome/hate-crime/

1. East Herts District Council Offices – Hertford
2. Hertford Library
3. Riversmead Housing Association – Hertford
4. Ware Library
5. Bishops House Day Centre – Bishop’s Stortford
6. East Herts District Council Offices – Bishop’s Stortford
7. Bishop’s Stortford Library
8. Circle Anglia Housing Association – Bishop’s Stortford (location may vary depending on need)
9. Buntingford – Library
10. Sawbridgeworth – Library

If you have been a victim of hate crime or know somebody who has please contact police on 0845 33 00 222 or use one of our hate crime reporting boxes. Reporting forms will be available at the locations of the boxes and you can also download a reporting form from our website (www.herts.police.uk). Whatever you tell us about what happened to you or someone else will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Report into Access to the Eight Police Enquiry Offices

by the Disabled

THE BRIEF

At the meeting of the IAG Western Area held on Monday, 10th September, it was decided that a report should be prepared on access conditions for the disabled to the Police Stations within the Western Area.

Doug Dews, Ijlal Malik and Bob Heaver offered to form a work party with a preferred reporting back date of the next meeting, to be held on Monday, 26th November.

Garry Barnett later agreed to be co-opted and is responsible for the presentation of this report.

Disabled AccessTo PEO's PDF

A Report on the Deployment of Mobile Police Stations in the Western Area

THE BRIEF

These notes are based on the premise that the two Mobile Police Stations in the Western Area, whilst they are serving a purpose, are not being used to their optimum potential.

They are not therefore giving the most beneficial return on the investment made in these vehicles by the Constabulary.

Mobile Police Stations Report PDF

Halal Food

The Issue

Hertfordshire Police received a complaint from a member of the public about the food served in their custody suites. The concern was specifically about the provision of Halal meals as their stated ingredients included the emulsifier E471. E471 can be extracted from animal or vegetable origin.

Hertfordshire Police consulted with members of the Hertfordshire Independent Advisory Group (IAG). During these discussions a number of other related issues arose including the provision of menu cards in different languages and concern about the inclusion of E471 in meals for Vegans and others with specific dietary requirements. An action plan was agreed which included contact with the Islamic Sharia Council and providing the meal supplier with a list of issues of concern.

The Outcome

The meal supplier was extremely co-operative and fully answered all questions. It was able to reassure that it and all suppliers it used conformed to all appropriate food safety principles and guidelines. It provided Certificates of Conformity from the appropriate inspecting bodies. The company was also approved by the Halal Food authority, the body responsible for halal accreditation. In addition the company has decided to use alternative ingredients so that future production runs will be free of E471 and intends to introduce menu cards in foreign languages in due course. In the meantime, Hertfordshire Police agreed to progress with food menu translations, so that they were available in custody suites.

Hertfordshire Police and the Hertfordshire Independent Advisory Group (IAG) were delighted that their joint working had generated such a positive conclusion to this issue.

Halal Food Word

Halal Food PDF

Imaan - Muslim Gay Website

Lesbian and Gay Christian Website