Police in Hertfordshire will roll out a new appointment-booking system for face-to-face meetings with the public.

Hertfordshire Constabulary is setting up the scheduled appointments system to make meetings less likely to be postponed or cancelled due to operational commitments or emergencies.

Every day, police who are not working as part of the emergency response team or on Safer Neighbourhood duties, are assigned to attend the appointments.

In the past, appointments often had to be cancelled or moved because an unforeseen incident or emergency meant officers were unable to attend.

The system, which was piloted in Dacorum and Stevenage, will be launched in Hertsmere and Welwyn Hatfield from Monday, with other areas of Hertfordshire due to follow over the coming months.

Chief Superintendent Owen Weatherill said: "While people are usually very understanding that emergencies take precedence, we know it can be very frustrating and disappointing for people, who are expecting a police officer to visit them, to be told they cannot make it.

"Now, if you live or run a business in Dacorum, Stevenage, Hertsmere or Welwyn Hatfield and an officer needs to visit you, you will be able to book an appointment at a specific time."

Hertfordshire Constabulary's force communications room allows for diarised appointments to be made by call takers.

The appointments hold all the information required by the officers attending so they arrive at the meeting up to speed with the issues and any background information needed to help make informed decisions with the person they are meeting.