Four racial hate crimes targeted officers serving for Hertfordshire police in 2022/23, according to a recent Freedom of Information request (FOI).

The figures were released on Monday (February 19) with the FOI response stating that there may have been more offences targeting police, but data quality is "poor" with regard to employer details.

When approached for comment, chief superintendent Jon Simpson said: "Officers being racially abused as they carry out their duties will not be tolerated in Hertfordshire.  

"To racially abuse or assault anyone is a crime and that includes police officers. 

"We take all allegations of racial abuse very seriously and we will take immediate action against anyone who behaves in this manner and prosecute wherever possible.  

"We work very hard in Hertfordshire to encourage people to report race/hate crime and have specialist officers in post to facilitate this and provide specialist support.

"We offer our own officers and staff the same service, and ensure they receive appropriate support should they be victims of race/hate crime during the course of their duties."

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Crimes can be reported to Hertfordshire police online at www.herts.police.uk/ro/report or by calling the police's non-emergency number 101.

Hertfordshire police's web chat function can be used by visiting herts.police.uk/contact.

Anonymous information can be given by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.