Only 12% of crimes reported in Hertfordshire were solved over a 12-month period, according to Chief Constable Andy Prophet.
The figure – equivalent to just one in every 8.33 crimes – was revealed during a broadcast meeting with Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards last week.
Chief Constable Prophet shared additional data suggesting the situation is improving, with recent months showing a rising trend in crime being solved.
“The rolling 12 months through to May, Hertfordshire Constabulary solved only 12% recorded crime,” he said.
“It’s not entirely a figure we could be proud of. But it probably puts us mid to the lower third nationally, by comparison.”
The 12% figure refers to the period ending in May 2025. However, the chief constable said that in the last three months the rate had increased to 13.6%, and in June alone it rose to 14.5%.
“The last three months, we solved 13.6% of crime. And in June just gone we solved 14.5% of crime,” he added.
“So the trajectory is of increasing outcomes. To put that in a different way, since January this year, we’ve solved 30% more crime than in the same period last year.”
Chief Constable Prophet also emphasised the force’s broader approach, which includes not only arrests but also ‘out of court disposals’ such as warnings and informal cautions.
He said this rise in activity was aligned with Hertfordshire Constabulary’s focus on prevention and neighbourhood policing.
Looking ahead, he set out his goals for improving performance further: “I want to push us up to 15, 17, 20%.
“If we get to that sort of level, we will probably be close to the best force in the country, which in some ways I feel slightly conscious about saying: so if we solve one in five crimes, we are probably the best force in the country.
“But that’s where I want us to be, month on month, period on period. I want to see more crime being solved, because it’s what we are here to do.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards welcomed the ambition, especially given the increasing volume of reported crimes.
During the meeting, he raised concerns about particular offences – including burglary – noting that the charge rate for such crimes in Hertfordshire had been the third lowest in the country last year.
In response, the chief constable referred to planned restructuring aimed at building a more intelligence-led crime-fighting capability. He said the force would also look to get more information from individuals already charged with offences.
The exchange took place during the latest accountability and performance meeting – part of an ongoing series held by the commissioner since last year.
According to Mr Ash-Edwards, these meetings are designed to help fulfil the legal duty to hold the chief constable accountable for the performance of Hertfordshire Constabulary.
Recordings of the meetings are available at: www.herts-pcc.gov.uk
Deborah is a Local Democracy Reporter covering news across Hertfordshire, with a strong focus on councils, local government and public policy. Her reporting includes county council decisions, council tax, spending pressures, legal and regulatory issues, healthcare stories including junior doctors, and community projects affecting local residents.
