Watford Observer
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 08:52:47 +0100Two people seriously injured in crash as dangerous driving arrest made
A man and a woman have been hospitalised with serious injuries following a crash on a Hertfordshire A-road.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 08:12:29 +0100Tree blocking track cancels trains on Watford line 'until further notice'
Trains are not running on a line from Watford Junction this morning due to a fallen tree blocking the railway.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 07:03:23 +0100Teenage boys in and around Watford wanted in new Warner Bros. casting call
A new casting call has been shared for teenage boys in the Watford-area, with filming set to take place at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0100Save up to £250pp on Riviera's Spring in the Netherlands river cruise
Riviera Travel’s Deal of the Week: The Netherlands is a place where windmills fill the sky, tulip fields paint the landscape, and canals weave through towns like pages from a storybook.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 05:32:00 +0100Popular town centre coffee shop owner 'thrilled' after award win
The owner of one of Watford's best-loved coffee shops is "thrilled" after it scooped an award.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 05:30:00 +0100Almost 300 objectors blast 'abhorrent disregard' over caravans plan
Almost 300 objectors have condemned plans for a Loudwater caravan site after trees were felled without permission.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 05:00:00 +0100Watford MP joins volunteers to help keep park litter-free
Watford MP Matt Turmaine rolled up his sleeves on September 19 to take part in a clean-up at Cassiobury Park.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 18:27:03 +0100Police respond to serious crash as motorists urged to 'avoid the area'
Police are at the scene of a serious crash on the A4147 in St Albans this evening.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 15:47:50 +0100Case of robber who targeted pensioners featured on Channel 4 show
The case of a robber who targeted elderly victims across Hertfordshire has been featured in a new Channel 4 programme.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 15:10:51 +0100Police drop probe into man 'touching himself inappropriately' by playground
Police have dropped their probe into reports of a man "outraging public decency" near a Watford play area, releasing a suspect without charge.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 14:31:12 +0100'Large emergency services presence' due at Buncefield oil depot for drill
Firefighters have warned neighbours an emergency services drill will be carried out at Buncefield oil depot.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 14:27:00 +0100High street giant with Watford branches threatens to close 495 stores
The founder of gambling giant Betfred has claimed he could be forced to close 495 stores.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 13:29:20 +0100Watford business snapped up by London firm in £4.8m expansion
Watford business Warren Anthony has been snapped up by London firm Foxtons as it is expanding out of the capital.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 11:53:00 +0100Watford has Hertfordshire's highest unemployment rate, new figures reveal
Watford has Hertfordshire’s highest rate of unemployment benefit claimants, new figures show.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 11:50:00 +0100Watford 21-year-old becomes blind tennis world champion
Visually impaired tennis player from Watford Ivan Rodriguez Deb has been crowned world champion after an inspiring journey as an independent athlete.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 10:42:29 +0100New Watford 20mph road consultation launched
Hertfordshire County Council looks set to bring forward proposals for more 20mph roads and has asked Watford residents to have their say.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 10:15:00 +0100Watford man accused of rape and strangulation due in crown court
An Oxhey, Watford, man accused of rape and strangulation in London will appear at crown court.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 09:54:59 +0100'Premium' new Harlequin business 'coming soon'
A “premium” food business looks set to open a new location inside the Harlequin in Watford.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 08:40:00 +0100Dog-daycare owner in court over alleged welfare breaches
Closing arguments have been heard in the case against a Kings Langley dog-daycare owner accused of two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 08:25:00 +0100Firm commits to keeping Watford High Street branch open until 'at least 2031'
Leeds Building Society has committed to keeping its Watford High Street branch open until “at least September 2031”.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 07:30:17 +0100'Extremely loud bang' heard as car 'burst into flames'
Residents heard an “extremely loud bang” as a car “burst into flames” in a road in Garston, Watford.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0100High Street TV offers all those cosy autumn essentials
It doesn’t seem that long ago when the hunt for air con and fans was part of our daily life, but here we are in autumn with fresher mornings and nights that are getting cooler and shorter.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 05:30:00 +0100Herts Police AI cameras scanned '100k innocent faces' but triggered just one arrest
Civil liberties campaigners have slammed Herts Police's use of AI cameras after they scanned 100,000 faces but triggered just one alert in Watford.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 09:57:56 +0100Watford planning application seeks new flat and extension on St Albans Road
Here are the latest planning applications submitted to Watford Borough Council this week.
Tue, 22 Sep 2026 18:00:00 +0100'Man with knife' Tasered after woman 'inappropriately touched and threatened'
Police Tasered a man who had allegedly inappropriately touched and threatened a woman with a knife in Apsley.
Tue, 22 Sep 2026 16:20:00 +0100Further plans to fix up run-down pub and turn it into Thai massage centre approved
Further plans to fix up run-down Rickmansworth pub The Tree and turn it into a Thai massage centre have been approved.
Tue, 22 Sep 2026 15:00:00 +010020-year-old's life 'ripped away' in crash caused by 116mph racing drivers
The family of a Hertfordshire man killed in an A414 crash caused by 116mph racing motorists have shared their story for a road safety campaign.
Tue, 22 Sep 2026 13:30:00 +0100Tory councillors 'broke rules by publishing secret report'
Conservative councillors in Three Rivers broke council rules by publishing a secret report that revealed council officer concerns.
Tue, 22 Sep 2026 12:20:00 +0100'Traditional chippy' near Watford named Hertfordshire's best and among top 40 in UK
Croxley Green chippy The Corner Plaice has been named among the best in the UK and the best in Hertfordshire.
Tue, 22 Sep 2026 11:40:00 +0100Naked man wearing only a balaclava approached woman and touched himself by canal
A naked man wearing only a balaclava approached a woman and “touched himself” by the Grand Union Canal in Tring, Hertfordshire.
Tue, 22 Sep 2026 11:05:00 +0100Man 'struck over head with metal rod' at playground causing 'serious facial injuries'
A man suffered serious facial injuries after reportedly being hit over the head with a metal rod at a Vicarage Road, Watford, playground.
Tue, 22 Sep 2026 09:50:00 +0100M25 crash involving lorry and motorbike sees man airlifted to hospital
An air ambulance flew to a “serious” motorway crash that closed the M25 at the edge of Hertfordshire for hours.
Tue, 22 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0100Charming jewellery gifts for those Libra birthdays from Lily Charmed
We’re mid-way through September, and that means it’s almost time for a change in the astrological calendar.
Tue, 22 Sep 2026 05:30:00 +0100Stonegate seeks new operator to make 'beloved' pub area's go-to destination
The owner of “beloved local pub” The Cother Arms in Watford is looking for a skilled operator to make it the area’s go-to destination.
Tue, 22 Sep 2026 09:31:07 +0100Rare Royal Mint 50p coin selling for more than 300 times its face value
The rare Royal Mint 50p coin has sold for £160 on eBay, and there are thousands more out there that could be worth a small fortune
Mon, 21 Sep 2026 18:44:00 +0100New dog grooming salon opens in Hertfordshire offering bespoke treatments
Experiences with her own dogs have led a young Hemel Hempstead entrepreneur to open a new grooming salon which focusses on natural products and treatments.
Mon, 21 Sep 2026 17:15:00 +0100Impressive footage shows bridge over Watford railway lifted straight out
Impressive footage shows an enormous crane lift Oxhey Grange Footbridge straight up and out from above the railway.
Mon, 21 Sep 2026 15:20:00 +0100Six arrested after police busted 'stolen vehicles ring' deny charges
Six men arrested after police busted a suspected stolen vehicles ring in Oxhey have pleaded not guilty.
Mon, 21 Sep 2026 14:15:00 +0100Spaces shut as five-day 'essential maintenance' underway at car park
Motorists must find somewhere else to park as part of the Leavesden Country Park car park will remain closed until the weekend.
Mon, 21 Sep 2026 13:45:00 +0100'Small village school' aiming to be named 'school of the year' at national awards
Small village school Bedmond Academy is celebrating after making the shortlist for a national School of the Year award.
Mon, 21 Sep 2026 11:30:00 +0100John and Amy Hunt walking 120 miles to honour murdered family members
John and Amy Hunt are walking 120 miles for the foundation set up in memory of three members of the family who were murdered by Kyle Clifford in Bushey.
Mon, 21 Sep 2026 10:40:00 +0100Motorway closed near Watford due to 'welfare incident'
Herts Police shut a motorway through Hertfordshire after a person was spotted on a bridge.
Mon, 21 Sep 2026 10:05:00 +0100Motorway works on edge of Hertfordshire set between Wednesday and Sunday
Multiple sets of M1 works on the edge of Hertfordshire are expected to cause disruption this week.
Mon, 21 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0100Enjoy five fabulous days in the Isle of Wight with Just Go Holidays
Just a short ferry ride from the mainland, the Isle of Wight provides an immediate sense of escape.
Mon, 21 Sep 2026 05:30:00 +0100Mum pays tribute to 'incredibly special' son who took his own life
A mum has paid tribute to her "incredibly special" son after he took his own life at Bushey station.
Tue, 22 Sep 2026 11:17:20 +0100West Herts launches DAISY Award to honour exceptional nurses and midwives
DAISY Award launches at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, honouring exceptional nurses and midwives. Nominations opened September 22.
Sun, 20 Sep 2026 16:47:00 +0100Nostalgic videos of two more Watford town centre venues 20 years ago
Nostalgic videos on social media have provided a glimpse of Watford's nightlife in 2006 and 2007.
Sun, 20 Sep 2026 16:00:00 +0100The Burnham Bounce is real as Labour gains ground and Watford sees benefits
Matt Turmaine on the ‘Burnham Bounce’, Labour’s rise in the polls, cheaper bus fares, investment in mental health services and what it all means for Watford.
Sun, 20 Sep 2026 15:25:34 +0100New casting call seeks extras for horror film being shot in Hertfordshire
A new casting call has gone out seeking extras to be part of a short horror film being shot in Hertfordshire.
Sun, 20 Sep 2026 13:35:16 +0100'Avoid the area' warning as M25 closed in both directions near Watford - recap
The M25 is closed in both directions between junctions 21 and 22 in Hertfordshire with police warning motorists to avoid the area.