NINE out of ten people living in Hertfordshire believe it is a safe place to live, but many want an increase in visible policing, a new police survey shows.

The survey - the first of its kind by Hertfordshire Constabulary - aimed to find out how satisfied people were with their local police, and their views on crime in the county.

The findings support Home Office figures published in January, which showed that Hertfordshire has the third lowest crime rate in England and Wales.

Chief Constable Paul Acres said the latest police survey gave the force a starting point from which it could measure future performance.

He added: 'I am ambitious for the force and this information will give us an opportunity to make certain we are improving our service in future years.'

The postal survey, which was sent out to 27,000 people in February, attracted a response rate of 28 per cent. The exercise is due to be repeated in a year's time.

The survey also found that 54 per cent of people were satisfied with the police service in their area, but that 37 per cent felt there was more crime in their home area than a year before.

Many respondents also took the opportunity to request an increase in visible policing, which Chief Constable Paul Acres has pledged to address.