Watford Celebrates the Opening of New, Modern Police Station

Watford welcomed the official opening of a brand new, modern police station today! Minister Chris Philp, Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, the Chief Constable, and other distinguished guests marked the occasion.

Securing a Central Location:

Local MP Dean Russell played a key role in securing this centrally located station and actively campaigned for its speedy delivery. They regularly meet with the local police team and Commissioner David Lloyd to address community concerns and believe this new resource will significantly benefit Watford.

Benefits for the Community:

• Increased Accessibility: The central location offers residents a convenient space to speak with police officers, fostering better community engagement.
• Enhanced Patrols: The station’s proximity to the town center facilitates easier foot patrols, while its position near the ring road allows for swift vehicle response in emergencies.
• Accommodating Growth: Designed with the future in mind, the station has ample space to accommodate the growing number of officers recruited through the government’s Police Uplift Programme.

Increased Funding for Local Policing:

Hertfordshire is set to receive up to £259 million in additional funding thanks to the Police Funding Settlement. This investment will directly address local policing challenges. More broadly, England and Wales currently boast the highest number of police officers ever recorded, with Hertfordshire seeing an additional 338 officers join the force.

The new building will be more modern and efficient and provide a better working environment for police officers and staff. It will also have a front counter service for the public.

The building was purchased for £6.5 million. It will have a front counter service service for the public but no custody suites. Parking is to hold 30 police vehicles, an additional 35 for staff, and 40 cycling spaces.