The way in which agencies dealt with a hoarder whose activity generated anti-social behaviour has been praised.

Police and the council received reports of hoarding - where someone builds up a large amount of items and stores them - at an address in Borehamwood.

When authorities responded to the concerns, they realised a person involved in the hoarding had complex needs and it was decided help needed to be given to find a solution to the problem.

Thankfully, that solution was found and all those involved have been recognised with the Mick Fogarty Problem Solving Award - named after police officer Mick Fogarty, who died in 2006, and was problem-solving champion at the time.

Hertsmere Community Safety Partnership won the award this year round because their project demonstrated that the right help had been given and that quality of life in the community was much better now too.

The agencies involved included Hertsmere Borough Council, Clarion Housing Group, Herts Help, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Hertfordshire Constabulary’s safer neighbourhood team.

The council’s community safety intervention officer Loran Kingston and principle environmental health officer Gavin Burns were presented with the award at the Hertfordshire Problem Solving Conference in Hatfield on September 16.

Chief Constable Charlie Hall said: "I would like to congratulate all our finalists but in particular the winners in Hertsmere.

"Problem solving is about asking why we are being called out to the same issues affecting the same people time and time again. By then working with our partners and the public to resolve the issues for good, we make our communities safer and reduce demand on our organisations."

Councillor Pervez Choudhury, responsible for community safety at Hertsmere Borough Council, said: "Congratulations to both Loran and Gavin, alongside all the partner agencies involved in this case, for the well-deserved award.

"Our dedicated Community Safety team have an excellent record of partnership working here in Hertsmere and have displayed a great deal of commitment and energy to ensure the borough remains a safe place to live, work and visit."