Police Officers from the Hertford Safer Neighbourhood team will be offering free property marking at Highway Cycles in Hartham Lane on Saturday 22nd June from 11am to 2pm.

Cyclists will be able to get their bike marked and registered for free on the immobilise database, www.immobilise.com, which enables police to trace the owner of bikes recovered after being lost or stolen.

Officers will also give advice on responsible riding, road safety, bike security and offering crime prevention advice.

Sergeant David Cooke from the Hertford Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “Unfortunately at this time of year criminals will target cycles that are often left insecure or with poor quality locks and chains. Even if they are left for a short while your cycle can be a target for opportunistic thieves.

“A great deal of work goes into detecting all types of theft but on many occasions we are unable to reunite owners with recovered cycles, these events give a chance for owners to record frame details on the national immobilise database, making it easier for us to identify if a bike is stolen and return it to the correct owner.” For more cycle safety and security advice visit the Crime Prevention section at www.herts.police.uk. Your local Hertford and Ware Safer Neighbourhood Team also offer crime tips and advice on Twitter: @hertfordpolice.

Herts police are to crack down on antisocial drinking in the town centre after complaints from the public.

Groups of drinkers who congregate on Mill Bridge, The Folly and in the Castle Grounds will be the focus of the police initiative. 

The town centre is covered by a Designated Public Place Order that allows police to stop people drinking and confiscate alcohol.

Five people from Hertford have been charged with drug offences following police raids on properties in the town last week.

Thomas Fahy of Hamels Drive is charged with 14 offences related to the supply of heroin and remains in custody following a court appearance in Cambridge. Lacey Keif of nearby Divot Place similarly faces 5 charges and was also remanded in custody.

Jeremy Diggins of Colebrook Court is accused of 2 offences, whilst Nizar Ltaief of The Knoll faces 4 charges and Katrina Jones of Hamsworth Court a single charge. All three were bailed.

The raids took place last Wednesday as part of Operation Scorpion and follows a long-running investigation into the supply of drugs and other crimes in East Herts. Around eighty officers from teams across the county were involved in executing the early morning warrants at 17 addresses in Ware, Hertford and North London. A sizable quantity of drugs has been seized along with other items of property.

A 50 year-old man was taken to hospital on Sunday after an attack on the Sele Farm Estate.

Police were called to Thieves Lane around 5pm following reports of a stabbing.

The victim was taken to Lister Hospital in Stevenage, where his condition is described as "serious but stable".

Update: A 37-year-old man from Sawbridgeworth was arrested at the scene and remains in custody. A 27-year-old woamn also arrested has been released on bail.

Crime in Hertford fell by 9% in the year to February.

The number of crimes recorded in the town to the end of February 2013 was 2531, compared with 2741 for the same period the previous year.

Antisocial behaviour (excluding violent crime) was the largest crime group featured in the figures.

Violent crime was most prevalent in Castle ward, which includes the town centre. There were 231 reported incidents during the 12 month period.

Police are appealing for information after a flasher exposed himself to a woman between Willowmeads and Beckets.

The incident occurred on Monday at 7.20pm on the footpath that runs parallel to the A414, in the direction of Hertingfordbury. The offender is described as a white man, 5ft 9, slim build, short dark hair, wearing a white t-shirt and a cheque shirt, with a dark coloured bomber jacket.

Anyone with information should contact Detective Sergeant James McGrath via the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference number A1/13/646.

Muggers struck in Post Office Walk on Thursday evening when a 20 year-old woman had her handbag snatched.

Police have released footage from a CCTV camera as part of an investigation into the robbery, which took place shortrly after 11:30pm.

The victim was approached from behind by two offenders, one of whom grabbed the woman's bag, causing her to fall to the ground. During a struggle the strap of the bag broke and the offenders took it before running from the scene. The bag contained a purse and mobile phone.

In the video the two men can be seen on the same side of the street walking past the camera at 23:30:45 and 23:31:13.

Detective Sergeant Lee Waller is leading the investigation and said: "Firstly may I reassure you that incidents of this nature are not a regular occurrence in the area and people should feel confident to go about their daily business. Crime overall remains low however, as a precaution we are increasing high visibility patrols in the area at this time.

"It is important for us to trace those responsible as quickly as possible. Whilst I have a number of detectives working on the case I would appeal to members of the public to look closely at the CCTV and call police if you have any information about the identity of the people pictured as we would like to speak with them as part of our inquiries."

Anyone with information is asked to contact DS Lee Waller on 101 quoting crime reference number: A1/13/382.

Four men have been arrested after police and Trading Standards Officers carried out a joint operation to investigate charity bag drops and collections.

Police in Hertford tracked a van which had been collecting charity bags in the area and four men were subsequently arrested on suspicion of theft and going equipped to steal.

They were aged 16, 17, 46 and 43 and were all from London. They have been bailed whilst the investigation continues.

The arrests were made after a local resident highlighted her concerns to Trading Standards.

Sergeant Ian Butler, said: "We would urge people to keep an eye out for suspicious charity bags being delivered to residential addresses. In these austere times it is important that all donations reach their intended charity. If you have any doubts about the authenticity of the charity we would urge you to contact Trading Standards."

Police are appealing for information about a thief who left a Hertford petrol station without paying.

The incident occurred at the BP Rush Green filling station around 6:45pm on New Year's Eve when a man driving a dark coloured vehicle filled up with £50 of fuel and then drove away.

Anyone who recognises the man or who has information shoumd call Hertford police on 101 quoting the crime reference A/13/160.

A woman has been arrested after crashing her car in to a restaurant in St.Andrew Street.

The accident happened in the early hours of Friday, during which a motorcyclist was also struck but escaped without injury.

A 31 year-old woman was arrested at the scene on suspicion of drink-driving.