Community groups invited to visit The Bunker

Local community groups are being reminded that they can book visits to The Bunker, Hatfield Police Station’s award-winning museum, free of charge.

The Bunker, which opened last year, was created as a public engagement initiative to foster better relations between the police and the local community, particularly schoolchildren.

The museum celebrates the Grade II listed building’s heritage as a former aircraft factory. It includes photos, historical items, original film footage, dioramas and models that tell the story of the building from its origins in 1933 as the Headquarters of the de Havilland Aircraft Company, through to its current use.

There is an emphasis on hands-on learning for schools, and visitors can handle historical artefacts from the war as well as some of the modern equipment used by the police.

Since it opened, a number of community groups including school classes, Brownies and Scouts have enjoyed visits to The Bunker. The museum’s contribution to community life saw it win Transformation Project of the Year at the 2023 Hertfordshire Association of Museum Awards.

PCSO Anne Devine is one of the many Safer Neighbourhood Team officers who has been using the museum as resource to reach community groups.

She is encouraging more groups to take up the opportunity.

PCSO Devine said: “Visiting The Bunker is a fantastic experience and the community groups that we’ve hosted so far have all really enjoyed themselves.

“If you are part of a community group, I encourage you to come along and visit. We’d love to meet you and show you round. It’s also a great opportunity for your community group to share your views on local policing.”

The Bunker is a free museum and it holds regular open days for the public to attend. Find out more or book a visit at The Bunker (opens in a new window).