09 Feb 2026
Five years after the closure of Harpenden police station’s front desk, residents will be able to meet face-to-face with officers again.
Harpenden’s neighbourhood policing team is moving to a new base at the Town Hall in Leyton Road, providing the opportunity for members of the public to easily meet with officers and raise any concerns.
Harpenden police station’s front desk in Vaughan Road closed to the public on April 1, 2011, in the wake of £36 million in budget cuts for Herts police.
While the station remained an operational base, the public has to use an outside telephone to reach the control room.
The initiative is the result of a partnership between Herts police, the Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards and Harpenden Town Council with the aim of keeping officers at the heart of the community while supporting modern, efficient ways of working and better value for money for taxpayers.
District Neighbourhood Inspector Paul Caro said: “Moving to the Town Hall ensures our new hub remains in the town centre.
“My team spend most of their shifts out and about engaging with the public and dealing with crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB). The new location will be a base for them to complete paperwork and make calls.”
He added: “We already work closely with the town council to deal with crime and ASB and being in the same building is a real positive, as shown by our co-location at St Albans Civic Centre district council offices.”
Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards said: “This is a positive move to strengthen local policing in Harpenden, continue joint working with the Town Council and improve value for money for taxpayers. Neighbourhood policing officers will be based in Harpenden, engaging with the public, responding and solving crime and keeping the town and surrounding rural areas safe.”
Town Mayor Cllr Beth Fisher added: “I am delighted that we’ve been able to work with the police to bring their team to the Town Hall, where they can remain close to the Harpenden community in our town centre location. We are committed to helping our communities feel safer and facilitating accessible services. Harpenden Town Council plays an active role in the partnership with local police and we are looking forward to continuing this work and addressing the concerns of local people.”
Residents can contact their local officers directly at harpenden@herts.police.uk and make an appointment to see them. If you know the name of your local officer, you can email them directly using this format – first.surname@herts.police.uk
