A policeman who has worked on the Buncefield petrol refinery explosion and the London riots will be leading neighbourhood policing in St Albans.

Inspector Andy Wiseman has been appointed the new Safer Neighbourhood Inspector in St Albans, covering the city as well as Harpenden and London Colney.

He has been involved with planning around visits such as President Trump and the World Cup, and has spent the past 18 months making sure officers were in the right place at the right time in Hertfordshire Constabulary's resource management unit.

He said: “I was one of the first officers to arrive at the Buncefield explosion in Hemel Hempstead in 2005, provided mutual aid at the Olympics and was called to help during the London riots.”

“These are such unusual opportunities, but it is all about helping people.”

He sees his new role as stopping low-level anti-social behaviour escalating into more serious crime.

He said: “I am currently working on addressing the problems of street drinkers, begging and homelessness with the council and homeless charities and thefts from motor vehicles – residents still are not securely locking their cars and then are surprised their belongings have been stolen.

“I am also particularly keen to do further work with schools to help prevent knife crime escalating like it is in other parts of the country.

“St Albans, Harpenden and London Colney are great places to live but unfortunately they do attract criminals, many opportunist."

Insp Wiseman started his career as a Special Constable in 2000, after studying criminology at university. He joined Hertfordshire Constabulary in 2003.

He is secretary of the Hertfordshire Constabulary Historical Society and has recently published a book called The History of Police Stations in Hertfordshire. Copies are available through the Police Federation on 01707 638096.