What do people think about personal safety in Potters Bar. Do people need more awareness coaching or self defence training? Although I am a martial arts instructor I believe everyone should invest a little time in training themselves and/or families to be more aware of their environment and personal safety. I think this shouldn't be restricted to age as we are all vulnerable. Any comments on how we can improve Potters Bar personal safety (better lighting, self defence classes for all ages, more activities available for all, CCTV in Darkes Lane and the High Street, more police)?
The street lighting in Potters Bar is very poor. Most of the residential roads only have lighting on one side of the road. Walking down Park Avenue in the dark is quite hazardous, you just cannot see in front of you.
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I think it's pretty safe overall, but the threat or feeling of threat is greater than the practice. I know you see a group of people walking down the road with hoods up you instantly think the worst. The station car park on a friday night is a good example, with 15-20 kids probably not doing anything wrong but appearing menacing. They moved on from outside McDonalds when the CCTV camera was put up there (which is all CCTV will do, displace).
I do feel we could do with more police. Under the Met (when Potters Bar came under Barnet) they seemed to remain within the ground but lately they're tearing off to Borehamwood a lot. Hertsmere division is smaller now than it was in MPS times but the charge facilities have been lost in Barnet and Borehamwood so the nearest station is now Hatfield. If full, St. Albans.
I was out in town a fair bit of today and the only yellow-vested person I saw was the parking warden, the council have their priorities in the wrong place!
Self defence is a great idea but are you allowed to retaliate now? Don't you have to wait and see what kind of force your mugger is giving you before you can select your response
Perhaps our friendly police force could provide some self-defence classes in Potters Bar. They could also update us on the current law involved. We used to have police-run self-defence classes when I lived in Hackney a few years ago so I know that they exist. They could give you lots of tips on how to be and feel safe.
I know the gym within Mount Grace School do self defence lessons.
A possible point of contact at Herts Police is the Crime Prevention Officer for Potters Bar. I've not heard of Herts doing protection courses however this may be something worth discussing with your local beat officer.
Talking of local bobbies, does any out there know if Eddie Courts is still the local for Oakmere? I emailed him a few weeks back and never got a reply