A SIX-point list of priorities has been produced in the new Herts Constabulary s policing plan for 2008-11. But Herts Police Authority chairman Ian Laidlaw-Dickson has warned that resources will squeezed as demands on services increase. His words came at

A SIX-point list of priorities has been produced in the new Herts Constabulary's policing plan for 2008-11.

But Herts Police Authority chairman Ian Laidlaw-Dickson has warned that resources will squeezed as demands on services increase.

His words came at the launch of the policing plan today (Monday) when he set out the key priorities for Herts police over the next three years.

The key priorities are:

* Reducing the most serious violent, organised and acquisitive crime

* Protecting vulnerable people

* Bringing more serious offenders to justice

* Improving public confidence and satisfaction in police services

* Increasing people's feelings of safety

* Reducing anti-social behaviour including alcohol-related disorder

Mr Laidlaw-Dickson said: "There are many challenges ahead. Demands on services will increase further and we expected resources to become even more squeezed.

"It is important, therefore, that we face the sometimes difficult choices and be perfectly clear about what the police authority expects the constabulary to prioritise," he said.

He said the policing plan had been drawn-up after consultation.

"In making our decisions, we listened to what the public and our partners have said is most important to them and took account of those areas where police performance needs improving," said Mr Laidlaw-Dickson.

He said that although crime continues to drop in Herts he wanted to ensure the county became "even safer".

Chief constable Frank Whiteley said he believed that the policing plan gave a "firm basis" for further improvements.

In an introduction to the policing plan both Mr Laidlaw-Dickson and Mr Whiteley say that Herts police is "determined to reduce bureaucracy" in a bid to see more officers spending time in the community.

One key issue in the policing plan is the aim of reducing anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related disorder.

Police will be working with Herts County Council's trading standards in campaigns to tackle under-age sales of alcohol and to be more vigorous in enforcing licensing laws.

The plan points out, too, that £178.2 million will be spent over the next 12 months on providing policing services across the county.

This is in spite of the police having a "funding gap" of £4.5 million which will be met by efficiency savings of £3.2 million and using £1.3 million from reserves.