Watford Police

Directions Website Contact the organisation

Watford Police Welcome to the page for Watford Police,Hertfordshire. This page should not be used to report

Conducting proactive patrols and engaging with the community - it’s all in a day’s work for Neighbourhood Policing Teams...
16/10/2026

Conducting proactive patrols and engaging with the community - it’s all in a day’s work for Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPT) across Watford.

Here is just a small snapshot of some of the things they’ve been up to recently:

• Proactive patrols and operations have been carried out in hotspot areas to help prevent vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour.

• Officers have been working with residents to help tackle drug use in areas which have been highlighted as a concern.

• A free tool marking event was held outside B&Q in Century retail park, to help tradesmen keep their tools more secure from opportunist thieves.

• A free bicycle security marking event was held in Queens Road, with 21 people taking up the service.

• Free mobile phone marking has been offered to residents and has proved highly popular.

• Officers have been knocking on doors during proactive patrols, to sign people up to the Herts Connected community messaging system. The platform allows residents to keep up to date with what is happening in their local area, get advice and find out about upcoming events. Sign up for free at https://orlo.uk/4Brp7

• Officers were invited to speak with residents at a supported living complex, to pass on crime prevention advice. The talk was well attended with lots of insightful questions asked.

• PCSOs were able to help a young man who was seeking to achieve his Cubs Community Badge. The task was to ask the police a question. His parents had only just started discussing where they might find one, when two PCSOs appeared on foot patrol!

• PCSOs have been invited to attend local coffee mornings and have held Coffee with a Cop events to allow residents to discuss any concerns and get advice.

• Children at a local primary school had their latest Mini Police session. The initiative is an interactive project for children in years five and six and sees officers visit schools to deliver lessons over several weeks. Topics covered include things such as road safety, personal safety, staying safe online and anti-social behaviour.

• During patrols of Cassiobury Park, PCSOs stopped to speak with a number of people attending the Spiced in Watford Connecting with Nature event. It was an opportunity to discuss local concerns and pass on advice.

Alongside the NPT, Watford is also policed by Response officers who respond to emergency calls, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) which investigates crimes such as burglary, robbery and assault, and specialist units who work to tackle issues such as acquisitive crime and domestic abuse.

Following an analysis of data and public feedback, tackling vehicle crime in North Watford was recently made a local pol...
16/10/2026

Following an analysis of data and public feedback, tackling vehicle crime in North Watford was recently made a local policing priority for the coming months.

As the evenings get darker, opportunist thieves are looking for easy targets and we’re urging motorists to review their vehicle security.

During patrols in the area this week, PCSOs from the Neighbourhood Policing Team checked 108 vehicles to make sure they were secure, with eight being found unlocked.

Their owners were informed and responded positively, welcoming the proactive approach from police.

Here are some simple steps you can take to help prevent your vehicle from becoming a target:

🔒 Always ensure that your vehicle is fully locked and secured when leaving it unattended - even if it's just for a few minutes.
🔒 If your vehicle has an alarm or immobiliser, ensure these are enabled.
🔒 Never leave valuable items such as bags, wallets, laptops or phones on display. Also remove items such as leads, sunglasses and loose change as these can be enough to entice an opportunist thief.

You can use the Herts Connected platform to let us know what you think we should be prioritising in your area. Your feedback will help towards shaping our local policing priorities, initiatives and campaigns. Visit https://orlo.uk/8puTp and tell us your thoughts.

⚠️ We are appealing for the public’s help to trace a teenage boy who has gone missing.Mekael, aged 14, was last seen at ...
15/10/2026

⚠️ We are appealing for the public’s help to trace a teenage boy who has gone missing.

Mekael, aged 14, was last seen at around 10.55am on Sunday 11 October in Hambleton, Lancashire.

It is believed he has since travelled into .

Mekael, who also goes by the name Ahmed, is described as being approximately 5ft tall and of slim build with curly brown hair.

He was last seen wearing a black and grey coloured hat, a black windbreaker jacket, black and grey Nike joggers, black Nike Air Force trainers and carrying a black Nike rucksack.

Mekael also has links to and , and officers are growing increasingly concerned for his welfare.

Please share our appeal and then comment below to tell us the postcode prefix (“AL8” for example) of where you’ve shared it.

See comments on how to report information 👇

Three people were arrested in connection with a burglary investigation after police were alerted to suspicious activity ...
15/10/2026

Three people were arrested in connection with a burglary investigation after police were alerted to suspicious activity at a residential address in Watford.

At 3.45am on Monday 12 October, a call was made to the police control room stating that two people had entered a property in the Park ward area which was currently under renovation. A van, which had been parked outside, then left the area.

Officers from the Response team were dispatched and quickly located the van, stopping it in Orchard Drive.

A search was conducted and several suspected stolen items and building materials were found inside.

Three men, aged 18, 19 and 20, were arrested on suspicion of burglary. They have been bailed while enquiries continue.

The van was also seized.

Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department are now working to progress the case.

Watford Chief Inspector Dan Rainbird said: “This is a great example of how quick reporting of suspicious activity from members of the public can lead to positive results.

“Thanks to the vigilance of the caller, we were able to attend, make arrests and recover suspected stolen property.

“As we head towards the darker evenings, we’d urge residents to review their home security and take some simple steps to prevent their homes from becoming a potential target for thieves. Advice can be found on the Herts police website.”

If you witness any suspicious activity or believe a crime is in progress, always dial 999.

Any other information can be reported online at https://orlo.uk/Cmi5X, by speaking to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat at https://orlo.uk/GBVC4 or by calling the non-emergency number 101.

Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Join the ‘Herts Connected’ community messaging service to keep up to date with what’s happening in your local area and receive crime prevention advice. Select ‘police’ when you sign up at https://orlo.uk/u5Szp and set your preferences to only receive the type of messages you are interested in.

⚠️ Warning about scam callers impersonating police fraud officersFraudsters have been calling Hertfordshire residents cl...
14/10/2026

⚠️ Warning about scam callers impersonating police fraud officers

Fraudsters have been calling Hertfordshire residents claiming to be police fraud officers.

One resident was called by a well-spoken woman, who asked for the person by name and identified herself as a detective from Essex Police’s Cyber Crime Unit. She claimed that they were contacting people whose personal details had been stolen in a cyber-attack.

The woman gave the resident a legitimate contact number for Essex Police, a badge number and crime reference. She went on to say that if the victim had any concerns about the call, they could attend a local police station and meet with her directly.

Subsequent investigations with Essex Police confirmed there was no such officer and that there had been a spate of these calls involving forces across the region, including calls claiming to be from Hertfordshire’s Cyber Crime Unit.

Several police forces have issued warnings about this type of scam in recent days, with fraudsters trying to obtain personal details or gain remote access to devices.

If you receive a message or call you are not expecting, you should be suspicious. The vital things to remember are that someone working for your bank, or the police would:
• NEVER ask for your bank account details or PIN, so do not disclose these to anyone, no matter who they claim to be.
• NEVER ask you to withdraw money or purchase high value items and send it to them via a courier, taxi or by any other means.
• NEVER ask you to send your bank cards, or any other personal property, to them via courier, taxi or by any other means.
• NEVER ask to remotely access your devices.

If you are not happy with a phone call or message and are suspicious of a conversation, end it and call 101 or report online via herts.police.uk/report. In an emergency or if a crime is in progress call 999 immediately.

Remember, when reporting a suspicious phone call to police, wait at least five minutes before attempting to make the call to ensure you’re not reconnected to the offender.

Alternatively, use a mobile phone or a neighbour’s phone or test your landline by phoning a friend or relative first, to ensure you aren’t still unwittingly connected to the offender.
If you have concerns about your bank account, visit your local branch.

How to protect yourself:

Remember to follow the above advice. In addition to this, some phone companies offer call screening services that can be effective in blocking marketing cold calls and bogus callers. Contact your phone company and ask about call screening and caller display services.

How can you help?

• Please share this information with your older relatives and friends: this crime has a devastating effect on people and we need to raise awareness to prevent further people becoming victims.
• Report any calls you believe are suspicious as we may be able to trace where the calls are originating from. Please remember to wait at least five minutes before calling police or use a mobile or neighbour’s phone.
• Report suspicious activity at cash points. If you see someone spending a long time at a cashpoint, using a number of different cards and have a hood up or their faces covered, contact police immediately. Often offenders will use cashpoints in the early hours.

For more advice and information about fraud visit: www.herts.police.uk/cyber-fraud.

A man has been charged in connection with a burglary which occurred in Watford during the early hours of today (Tuesday ...
13/10/2026

A man has been charged in connection with a burglary which occurred in Watford during the early hours of today (Tuesday 13 October).

Shortly after 1am, a call was made to the police control room reporting that two people had allegedly forced entry into a shop in St Albans Road and taken cash from a till.

Officers from the Response team were dispatched and arrested a man nearby.

Following fast time enquiries by the Case Investigation Team, Ben Kempster, aged 43, of no fixed address, was subsequently charged with burglary this afternoon.

He has been remanded into custody and will appear before magistrates’ court tomorrow.

Further enquiries are continuing.

13/10/2026

We’re touring the county with Electric Umbrella this Hate Crime Awareness Week to spread the message that it’s not a crime to be different.
No one should be made to feel unsafe because of who they are and we have dedicated Hate Crime Officers to investigate crimes of this nature and support victims.
We understand not everyone feels comfortable reporting to police directly which is why we have third party reporting centres across the county - in community centres, places or worship, educational facilities and other locations - where specially trained individuals can support anonymity. Details and locations can be found on the Herts Against Hate website: https://orlo.uk/U3CR5

A man has been issued with a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) banning him from contacting a vulnerable woman and preventin...
08/10/2026

A man has been issued with a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) banning him from contacting a vulnerable woman and preventing him from entering a specified residential area of .

The five-year order was granted at St Albans Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 29 September after 36-year-old Pawel Kolata, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to two breaches of a Community Protection Notice (CPN).

The court heard how Kolata had befriended an elderly woman in autumn 2025, after he helped her carry her shopping home. The woman later invited him to stay with her temporarily.

However, in March this year she expressed concerns to her family and asked him to leave.

Whilst he did vacate the address, he continued to contact the woman and turn up at her home uninvited.

As a result, he was given a Community Protection Warning (CPW) by police, ordering him to stop. This was subsequently upgraded to a Community Protection Notice (CPN) when his behaviour continued.

Following work by the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) and Community Safety Unit (CSU), enough evidence was gathered to apply for and secure the CBO.

Breaching the order is a serious offence, punishable by up to five years in prison.

Sergeant Gary Yam, from the Community Safety Unit, said: “Kolata exploited the kindness of a vulnerable woman and, despite repeated warnings and police intervention, continued a course of behaviour that caused significant distress to both her and her family. There was a deliberate and persistent disregard for the boundaries that had been clearly set.

“We will not tolerate behaviour that targets or intimidates vulnerable members of our community and we will use every available power to protect those at risk.

“I welcome the court’s decision to grant this CBO, which sends a clear message that this conduct will not be accepted. We hope it will provide the victim and her family the reassurance and protection they deserve.”

⚠️ We are appealing for the public’s help to trace a man who is .Shaun Hopkins, aged 36, is wanted on recall to prison ...
07/10/2026

⚠️ We are appealing for the public’s help to trace a man who is .

Shaun Hopkins, aged 36, is wanted on recall to prison for failing to comply with the terms of his licence.

It is believed he is in the and areas.

See comments on how to report information 👇

*** Update ***Two lanes are now open.The M25 is currently closed between junctions 19 (Watford) and 18 (Chorleywood) an...
06/10/2026

*** Update ***

Two lanes are now open.

The M25 is currently closed between junctions 19 (Watford) and 18 (Chorleywood) anti-clockwise, due to fuel on the carriageway.
Please avoid this area where possible until further notice.

Address

3 George Street
Watford
WD180BX

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 11pm
Tuesday 8am - 11pm
Wednesday 8am - 11pm
Thursday 8am - 11pm
Friday 8am - 11:59pm
Saturday 8am - 11:59pm
Sunday 10am - 8pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Watford Police posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organisation

Send a message to Watford Police:

Shortcuts

Sponsored

Share

Category