Watford Observer

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:30:00 +0100
'Attempted murder' probe - Herts Police looking for woman who may be able to assist
As a Berkhamsted attempted murder investigation continues, Herts Police are looking for a woman with links to Hemel Hempstead.

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 06:00:00 +0100
Cruise to the 'sun-soaked' gems of the Mediterranean and save £500pp
Riviera Travel’s Deal of the Week: Enjoy a journey to explore clifftops and hillsides, wave-cut coastlines, and sun-soaked streets, all brimming with archaeological finds.

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 05:32:00 +0100
School's 'flourishing' pupils praised in positive Ofsted
Bromet Primary School, on Oxhey Road, was visited by inspectors in April and received strong ratings across attendance, behaviour, early years provision and inclusion.

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 05:30:00 +0100
Watford man set for crown court appearance over 'heroin and crack cocaine supply'
A Watford man is set to appear in crown court next month over drug supply offences.

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0100
Major 225-home development sold as it nears completion
One of Watford’s major developments, delivering 225 homes in Sydney Road, has been sold as it nears completion.

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 17:46:00 +0100
Hertfordshire soft play fire that killed all its animals - everything we know
Fire crews rushed to The Jungle Box, an indoorjungle-themed soft play playground on the Watermill Industrial Estate in Buntingford, just before 3.20am.

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 16:35:00 +0100
Police and firefighters called to kids on abandoned building's roof
Herts Police and Herts Fire and Recue Firefighters with an aerial ladder platform were called out due to children “exploring” an abandoned Watford building.

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 15:38:00 +0100
Rapist who attacked woman in Hertfordshire park jailed for nearly 10 years
The woman, a sex worker who cannot be named for legal reasons, was invited by Tapiwanashe Sibanda to a street near his home in Hatfield in August 2020.

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:55:00 +0100
Indian judge's daughter 'punched by masked man' in Watford amid 'blackmail'
Family members of retired Indian judge Gautam Patel have reportedly been targeted in a string of threats, assault, and burglary in Watford.

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 11:17:53 +0100
Everything you need to know as new Watford Aldi store set to open this month
Everything you need to know as Aldi prepares to open its new Watford store later this month.

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:34:22 +0100
All animals killed in fire at Hertfordshire soft play centre
Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue has confirmed that all animals have been killed in a fire at a Buntingford industrial estate this morning (June 10).

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:40:28 +0100
'Misleading commentary' criticised amid mosque plan by Hertfordshire park
“Misleading commentary” has been condemned amid plans for a mosque and community facility by Maxwell Park, Borehamwood.

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:25:00 +0100
Parents could be fined over dangerous parking near school, police warn
Police have issued a warning to parents over parking on zig-zag lines outside Newberries Primary School in Radlett.

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:17:33 +0100
Popular carnival returns this weekend - road closures and what you need to know
Everything you need to know including road closures ahead of this year's Abbots Langley Carnival, which takes place on Saturday (June 13).

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:55:00 +0100
Man arrested after 'offensive racial term' used in High Street pub
Herts Police arrested a man after an “offensive racial term” was allegedly used at The Pennsylvanian pub in Rickmansworth High Street.

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:10:00 +0100
Supermarket to close early today and tomorrow for improvements
A Lidl supermarket is set to close early tonight and tomorrow night as upgrades are underway.

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0100
Ten fire engines battling large blaze at Hertfordshire industrial estate
Ten fire engines have been sent to an industrial estate in Buntingford to tackle a fire in the early hours of this morning (June 10).

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 07:46:46 +0100
Company fined over destruction of 13 mature trees at listed building
A business based in Harrow has been ordered to pay thousands of pounds for destroying 13 mature trees at a listed building in Chorleywood.

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 07:21:39 +0100
Car 'destroyed' after fire on Hertfordshire M25 - recap
A vehicle fire is causing delays on the M25 anticlockwise in Hertfordshire this morning (June 10)

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 06:00:00 +0100
Famous brand offers sock gifts perfect for Father's Day
Those of a certain age will fondly remember SOCKSHOP...it was the place to go (and still is) for looking after your feet in style.

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 05:30:00 +0100
Mosque plan for Watford church to return 'very soon' after previous rejection
The Watford Observer understands that a revised plan to turn a Leavesden Road Baptist Church into a mosque is set to be submitted in the near future.

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:39:00 +0100
Innocent dad 'handcuffed and threatened with taser' by police in front of daughter
A father has said he was left "terrified" after claiming he was wrongly put in handcuffs and threatened with a taser at Kings Langley station last week.

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:20:59 +0100
Hertfordshire M25 delays could last hours amid unplanned power cut
Motorists have been warned that they face hours of delays on the M25 in Hertfordshire between junctions 24 for Potters Bar and 25 for Waltham Cross due to an unplanned power cut.

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 14:48:00 +0100
Bungalow to be demolished as permission granted after planning row
Retrospective plans to demolish and replace a Croxley Green bungalow have been approved after “a greater extent of demolition” was done during an extension.

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:56:00 +0100
Town centre unit once home to brothel put on the market
A Watford town centre unit that was once home to a brothel has been put on the market,

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:45:03 +0100
Luxury hotel on edge of Watford confirms schedule for summer outdoor cinema
The Grove hotel will once again be providing a luxury outdoor cinema experience this summer, with the slate of films set to be shown revealed.

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 11:29:50 +0100
Attempted murder charge after Hertfordshire attack
A man has been charged with attempted murder following an attack in Berkhamsted on Friday night (June 5).

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 11:10:00 +0100
Historic luxury train to depart from Watford Junction TOMORROW
One of Britain’s most iconic luxury trains, The Midland Pullman HST will set off from Watford Junction tomorrow.

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:54:26 +0100
Watford temperatures set to rise again with wonderful weekend weather
The sun is set to return to Watford this weekend, with the current gloom forecast to make way for a warm weekend.

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:37:46 +0100
'Increasing concern' after boy, 14, goes missing from Watford
Police are growing "increasingly concerned" for the welfare of a 14-year-old boy who was last seen in Watford on Monday morning (June 8) and may be trying to get to Birmingham.

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 06:00:00 +0100
Five Father's Day gifts from High Street TV any dad would love
Whether he’s the dad who has everything or you simply want to make life easier for the father figure in your life, knowing what to buy this Father’s Day can be quite a mission.

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 05:30:00 +0100
Five Watford-area businesses hit with recent 1/5 hygiene scores
These five businesses in and around Watford have all been rated 1/5 for food hygiene in recent weeks.

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 14:44:00 +0100
Fury over Post Office scandal compensation scheme as Sir Alan Bates speaks out
Hero Sir Alan Bates has branded the compensation schemes set-up for fellow victims of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal “an utter disaster”.

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:45:00 +0100
School holds community celebration after Ofsted success
Central Watford Primary School hosted a community celebration to mark the success of a recent Ofsted inspection on May 21.

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 17:36:21 +0100
Rush hour M25 delays amid multi-vehicle crash and diesel spillage - recap
Long rush hour delays on the M25 in Hertfordshire due to a multi-vehicle crash and subsequent diesel spillage.

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:01:00 +0100
Road sharing £1 million among latest Hertfordshire Postcode Lottery winners
Nine Hertfordshire areas were successful in May's People's Postcode Lottery draws, including a Hemel Hempstead road which shared £1 million.

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 15:17:46 +0100
CCTV appeal after Mercedes broken into in Watford and stolen cards used
Police have launched a CCTV appeal after bank cards were stolen from a vehicle.

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:57:17 +0100
Free fruit and veg on offer as details of new Aldi store's opening day confirmed
Aldi has shared pictures of its new Watford store that is set to open later this month,

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:20:00 +0100
Plan returns for 'monstrosity' HMO in Watford despite failed appeal
Plans for a seven-bedroom Watford HMO have returned despite being refused at appeal and branded a "monstrosity" by neighbours.

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 10:20:00 +0100
Deadline looms to claim winning EuroMillions ticket bought in Watford
A EuroMillions winning ticket purchased in Watford earlier this year remains unclaimed with just a month left for the lucky winner to claim their prize.

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 06:00:00 +0100
Timeless gifts for dads this Father’s Day
With Father’s Day in just a couple of weeks, treat your Dad, Grandad or father figure, with a timeless gift of a watch. Not only does a watch make for a long-lasting gift, it ticks the box for practicality, too.

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 05:30:00 +0100
Hertfordshire M25, M1 and A1(M) closures scheduled this week - M25 set for many
The M25 motorway in Hertfordshire will see a particularly high number of overnight closures this week, alongside a smaller number on the M1 and A1(M).

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 18:00:00 +0100
The great spa day con: relaxation not included
Brett Ellis takes a humorous look at why spa days are far from relaxing, from awkward saunas to overpriced extras and unmet expectations.

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 16:50:00 +0100
Young people climbing farm equipment and hay bales sparks 'danger' warning
Young people have been warned over dangerous climbing and trespassing on farmland in Maple Cross.

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 16:10:00 +0100
Nine-home plan goes to appeal after refusal and 52 objections
Plans for nine homes in Loudwater have gone to appeal after refusal following 52 objections from neighbours.

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 15:32:04 +0100
Police close road into Hertfordshire amid 'concern for welfare' - recap
The A505 is currently closed between Luton and Hitchin, Hertfordshire, as police deal with a "concern for welfare".

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 13:25:00 +0100
Watford High Street café unveils new menu with smash burgers and shawarmas
Melto Café in Watford High Street has brought in a reworked menu with added smash burgers and desserts.

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 10:45:00 +0100
'Attempted murder' arrest after wanted appeal over Hertfordshire 'attack'
Herts Police have made an arrest on suspicion of attempted murder in Berkhamsted after appealing for information on a wanted man.

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 10:15:00 +0100
Street tree 'potentially implicated in house subsidence' could soon be felled
A tree believed to be causing subsidence of a house in Watford could soon be felled.

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 09:45:00 +0100
Only bungalow in Watford street could be demolished for two detached houses
One Watford bungalow could soon make way for two two-storey detached houses under a new planning application.

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