Residents have received free services to try and make the streets safer.

Officers from the Harpenden and Rural Safer Neighbourhood Team joined the Wheathampstead Fire Service to visit 227 homes on the Hilldyke Estate as part of their Safer Streets project.

They were offered security checks, advice on giving up smoking and crime prevention.

The fire service will be re-visiting 37 homes that showed an interest in their free fire safety checks over the next few weeks.

PC Art Wilkes from the Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “The Safer Streets programme aims to help residents feel safer and more a part of their local communities.

“It is hoped that by increasing awareness of safety, security and crime prevention in Wheathampstead, residents will feel happier living in their area and have a restored sense of community spirit.”

Officers also spoke to residents from seven different roads on the estate offering reassurance, advice and answering questions.

He added: “I’d encourage all residents to sign up to the Neighbourhood Watch - there’s no reason not to, it’s free and helps prevent crime, helps solve crime and could help find vulnerable missing people.”