SIR – I am writing in response to your article Masked Gang hold up family at knifepoint . I am taking this opportunity to reassure residents of Hatfield, and Wood Common in particular, about the serious burglary on August 17. The police investigation is

SIR - I am writing in response to your article 'Masked Gang hold up family at knifepoint'.

I am taking this opportunity to reassure residents of Hatfield, and Wood Common in particular, about the serious burglary on August 17.

The police investigation is continuing, with a number of promising lines of inquiry. It appears likely this burglary was a targeted offence, and is very unlikely to be the beginning of any trend in the district.

On the rare occasions that serious offences such as this do occur, a significant amount of investigative effort is invested in tracing those responsible.

This year, the number of crimes solved in Hatfield has risen by 10 per cent, while crime levels have fallen by almost five per cent.

There is an outstanding policing team in Hatfield, bolstered by many specialist resources, not least the newly formed Road Policing Intercept Team based at nearby WGC.

Our policing style hinges on understanding and extracting the issues that impact on communities, and seeking to deliver a quality service, supported by partners, so that quality of life issues can be improved.

My Safer Neighbourhood Team deliver Policing Pledge activities. These activities are centred on identifying very local issues, publicising local priorities and delivering swift and decisive problem- solving initiatives.

I would encourage any member of our community, whether resident, or occasional visitor, to share any concerns with their local police officer or police community support officer. I would include in this message those residents of Wood Common who might feel blighted by the problems they describe.

As autumn approaches, there can be a tendency for levels of burglary to rise and we will be sharing a number of messages with our communities.

A small number of individuals are often responsible for high levels of residential burglary and a proactive police operation commences this autumn.

One aspect will be to drive positive action against the small number of offenders and to act as a very obvious deterrent to possible offending.

Without the support of communities, policing can become very difficult. I have seen at first hand the misery caused by residential burglary within communities, so my message is clear - report suspicious activity and protect both your property and your community.

Very simple measures, such as double locking UPVC doors, will make your home much safer.

With support from our communities Hatfield will continue to remain a very safe place to live and visit and will become an increasingly hostile place for those that wish to commit crime.

Dave Newsome,

Chief inspector, Welwyn Hatfield.