Watford’s policing team relocates to new town centre station

Today (Monday 4 December) marks a significant moment in Watford’s local history as the town’s new police station opens to the public.

The CSP’s intervention teams were the first to move into their new home on George Street, pictured above prior to refurbishment – and which is just a stone’s throw from the town centre – last Monday (27 November), closely followed by their colleagues in the Safer Neighbourhood Team, Community Safety Unit, the Local Crime Unit, Operation Scorpion and the Operational Support Group.

The building was acquired by the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd in late 2021 and has since been fully refurbished to meet the demands of modern-day policing. Importantly for the public, it retains a front counter service.

The relocation comes after the former police station on Shady Lane (pictured below) was earmarked for housing development, which is expected to begin sometime in spring next year.

The old station and adjacent courthouse – which cost £70,000 to build – initially opened in autumn 1940 during the Second World War, replacing the old Victorian police station on King Street. But after 83 years serving as a base for the town’s police officers, the time has come to say goodbye and start a new chapter.  

Watford Chief Inspector Andy Wiseman – also secretary for the Hertfordshire Constabulary Historical Society – said: “I know many serving and retired officers and staff will hold fond memories of our time at Shady Lane, but in recent years it became apparent that the building no longer provided value for money.

“The new site will be more economical to run, providing approximately 170 colleagues with a bright, airy and pleasant environment to work in and facilities that are in keeping with our hard-working team’s requirements. The town-centre location will also ensure that we continue to provide the same level of service to Watford’s residents, businesses and visitors.

“I’m very pleased that we were able to take up residence at George Street in time for Christmas and I’m sure it won’t be long before it feels like home. We do plan to preserve a few pieces of Shady Lane’s history in the form of a witness box from the old courthouse, as well as an art-deco light fitting and clock from one of the court rooms. We’re hoping to install these in the top-floor conference room at George Street at a later date.”

David Lloyd, Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “The old station had reached the end of its economic life and was no longer fit for purpose for the demands of officers and staff. It was vital for public confidence and visibility of the police that they remained based in the town centre. This has been achieved and Watford now has a new thoroughly modern police station which will enable a top- quality service to be provided to the public for years to come.”

Work is ongoing to finalise the exterior of the new station on George Street, and an official opening ceremony is set to take place early next year.