Cops will keep a close watch on students

NOISY students will be silenced by police and council officers who will patrol a university campus.

They will work from 9pm to 4am to crackdown on loutish behaviour that can annoy Hatfield residents when students return to The University of Hertfordshire.

Ross Renton, dean of students at the university, said: “I am really pleased to once again be involved in this, the fourth year of the initiative in partnership with the council, and pleased to be working with the police this year as well.

“We recognise that the start of term can sometimes cause issues within the local community, and want to ensure that students are learning in a positive way about how to be responsible neighbours.”

The scheme will run from September 24 to October 14 and will involve up to six police officers with support from the council’s Environmental Health Officers.

Welwyn Hatfield Community Safety Partnership is running the operation, led by Hertfordshire Constabulary with Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and the University of Hertfordshire.

Insp Ian Grout said: “The objective is to educate and inform people about what is acceptable behaviour and noise. The multi-agency approach will allow for better targeting of problem addresses and for greater powers to be used against repeat offenders.

“This is an innovative new approach where we will be dedicating a number of resources to help local people to appreciate and understand the levels of behaviour expected and to set a standard for the coming year. All residents have the right to live peacefully and we will reinforce that message to those who don’t comply.”