Watford Observer

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0100
You Garden offers beautiful plants that flower all summer for under £15
Summer is in full swing and You Garden’s offers are blooming this week!

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 05:31:00 +0100
Is Watford safer now? Latest violent crime, burglary and theft stats revealed
Violent crime and theft in Watford have gone up in a year and residents remain divided over how safe the town really feels.

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 05:32:00 +0100
Beautiful four-bed home in sought-after area put on sale for £1.2m
A modern four-bedroom detached home in one of Watford’s most sought-after residential pockets has hit the market at £1,200,000 on Tunnel Wood Road.

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 17:07:04 +0100
The 11 Hertfordshire towns in the running to become UK Town of Culture 2028
Eleven Hertfordshire towns are in the running to be named the UK’s first ever town of culture for 2028, including Hemel Hempstead and Elstree & Borehamwood.

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 15:52:13 +0100
Croxley Green businesses 'devastated' by parking woes call for new bays
Staff at Sea World Fish Bar, Inspired by D, and Perch and Co on Watford Road say the issue has plagued their businesses for more than three years.

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 16:11:24 +0100
Hertfordshire council worker stole funds from disabled adult he was meant to support
A Hertfordshire County Council employee who stole funds from a disabled adult he was meant to be supporting has been sentenced.

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 15:45:00 +0100
Does this Hertfordshire village have the longest green in England?
Proud Croxley Green residents have staked their claim to having the longest village green in England after professional measuring.

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 14:30:00 +0100
Man wanted after dodging court over theft of £140 Space NK perfume
Herts Police are looking for a wanted man who dodged court after allegedly stealing perfume worth £140 from Space NK in the Harlequin.

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 14:02:17 +0100
Drivers warned traffic delays on the way as 'key route' set for temporary lights
Motorists have been warned of upcoming delays on a “key route” in Rickmansworth as two-way traffic lights will be required.

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 13:35:00 +0100
Hertfordshire Simmons branch shut after fire rips through flat above
Firefighters rushed to the scene as a fire ripped through a flat above a Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, Simmons branch at midnight.

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 12:25:00 +0100
Disabled pensioner 'followed and targeted by thieves' as £1k stolen in town centre
A disabled man says he was followed to his car in Watford town centre and targeted by thieves after withdrawing £1,000 from the bank.

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0100
'Two-hour queues' snake down road as Watford's newest fish and chip shop opens
Chris Furnell said around 50 people lined up on St Albans Road last Saturday for the opening of the new Mother Hubbard's branch at 11am.

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 11:30:00 +0100
Watford man charged with stealing from Hollister and Aldi
Daniel Osler, aged 51, of Charter Place, has been charged with shoplifting from Aldi in St Albans and Hollister in Watford.

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 10:40:26 +0100
Power cut to wipe out electricity across hundreds of homes 'for hours' - recap
More than 300 homes have lost electricity in Kings Langley as the power cut is expected to last for hours.

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0100
Closure date for large Watford store confirmed
The closure date for the Magnet kitchen showroom in Caxton Way, Watford, has been confirmed.

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0100
Save up to £500pp on luxury 11-day cruise through southern France
Riviera Travel’s Deal of the Week: World-class wines and legendary cuisine, verdant landscapes draped in vineyards and honey-coloured medieval towns with intriguing, cobbled lanes – this summer, discover one of southern France’s most tantalisin...

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 05:30:00 +0100
Why Watford could see more helicopters than ever flying overhead this weekend
A host of helicopters are likely to fly over Watford this weekend due to a record crowd expected for the final day of The British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 14:33:15 +0100
Yellow heat alert issued - is Watford heading for another heatwave?
Watford could be heading for another heatwave as a new yellow alert from the UKHSA has been shared ahead of expected temperatures past 30C.

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 13:57:00 +0100
School broken into FOUR times as equipment destroyed by 'devastating vandalism'
Pupils’ equipment and Chromebooks were destroyed as Maple Cross JMI school was broken into multiple times, suffering “devastating vandalism”.

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 11:54:28 +0100
Petition demands speed cameras for area where 'crashes are on the rise'
Calls for speed cameras in Oxhey Hall, Watford, have been backed by dozens of Hertfordshire residents.

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 11:25:00 +0100
£2.5m project for 16th century barn featured on Countryfile begins
Work on a £2.5 million project at Woodoaks Farm, Maple Cross, which featured on the BBC’s Countryfile has finally begun.

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 10:11:52 +0100
Woman seen on roof of flats sparks emergency services response
Herts Police, firefighters, and ambulance crews were called out as a woman was seen on the roof of a Watford block of flats.

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 09:55:00 +0100
Ex-Watford player Marlon King wins bitter court battle over dad's £600k will
Ex-Watford FC striker Marlon King has won in a court battle with his siblings over their father's £650,000 will.

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 08:38:29 +0100
Former NatWest bank opposite Watford Junction to be demolished for flats
Demolition of a former Watford NatWest bank for redevelopment has been approved, with a six-storey replacement on the way.

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 08:12:08 +0100
Road shut near town centre amid 'concern for welfare' emergency response - recap
Police, firefighters, and the ambulance service are all responding to a concern for welfare report near Watford town centre, with drones seen.

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0100
Five 'hot' bargains to buy right now from High Street TV
From fans to sleeping bags, ice cream makers and pretty much everything in between, High Street TV has some great offers to check out this summer.

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 05:30:00 +0100
'David and Goliath' public inquiry over 256-home plan begins today
The public inquiry which will decide whether 256 homes can be built on open green fields by Carpenders Park begins today as neighbours are not giving up.

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 05:27:00 +0100
Latest summer fun pictures from Watford Observer Camera Club members
Our amazing photographers have been out capturing summer fun – you can enjoy a selection by scrolling down on this page.

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 16:37:41 +0100
Festival featuring 70 chambers coming to Hertfordshire's Cassiobury Park
Colourscape, a 10-day immersive festival featuring vibrant light, live music and interactive performances, will transform Cassiobury Park from August 22 to 31.

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 15:07:32 +0100
Family fun and food highlight community spirit at Kings Langley Carnival
The Kings Langley Carnival took place on June 27, transforming Kings Langley Common into a lively attraction for all ages between 12pm and 5pm.

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 12:57:52 +0100
Mayor raises flag for Armed Forces Day to honour those who serve
The event, held in Watford on June 27, marked Armed Forces Day and featured mayor of Watford Peter Taylor.

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 09:33:04 +0100
Plans for large home on edge of Sarratt could add new wing
Here are the latest planning applications validated by Three Rivers District Council in the past week.

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 09:26:06 +0100
Former family home could be transformed into supported children’s residence
Here are the latest planning applications submitted to Dacorum Borough Council this week.

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 09:16:18 +0100
Plans submitted for three-storey hospital block in Watford
Here are the latest planning applications submitted to Watford Borough Council this week.

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:22:08 +0100
Halifax brand to vanish after 173 years as Lloyds confirms major banking overhaul
Lloyds Banking Group has confirmed the Halifax brand will be phased out. Here's what it means for your account, sort code, bank cards, branches and app.

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 09:27:56 +0100
From difficult beginnings to teacher and a life rebuilt through determination
A man who experienced housing instability during his teenage years has spoken about the positive impact a youth charity had on his journey to independence.

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:00:00 +0100
Neighbours' shock at house 'arson' in 'peaceful street where nothing ever happens'
Emergency services descended on a “peaceful” street over suspected arson which left neighbours in Croxley Green in shock.

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 16:30:29 +0100
Detectives' bid to trace car as they investigate Hertfordshire murder
Detectives investigating the murder of a man who was found seriously injured in a Hertfordshire car park are hunting for a car.

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 16:15:00 +0100
Police hunting man after pick-up truck hit group outside Hertfordshire pub
Herts Police are hunting a wanted man after a pick-up truck hit a group of people outside a Hatfield pub.

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 16:10:00 +0100
Mum's 'terror' as toddler covered in broken glass after going down slide
A toddler miraculously avoided injury going down a slide left covered in broken glass through "mindless vandalism" in South Oxhey.

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 14:51:00 +0100
Watford store to close as business shutting 15 'underperforming' branches
The closure of the Watford Magnet showroom has been confirmed amid major restructuring at the company.

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:15:00 +0100
Arson arrest after 'devastating' house fire blanketed street in smoke
A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson and criminal damage after a "devastating" house fire in Croxley Green.

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 11:21:00 +0100
Man admits causing serious injury while driving dangerously on cocaine
A Watford man has admitted causing “serious injury” through dangerous driving and drug driving in Oxfordshire.

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 11:15:00 +0100
HMO plan for children's care home approved by council
Approval for turning a Watford residential care home into an HMO has been granted.

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 10:41:10 +0100
Hunton Park Hotel hosts glitzy Hertfordshire Care Awards ceremony
A glittering awards ceremony has honoured the dedication and impact of care professionals in Hertfordshire.

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 10:10:00 +0100
Man hospitalised after 'devastating' fire at Hertfordshire village home
Emergency services were called around 6am this morning to the blaze on Winton Drive.

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 08:55:37 +0100
'Blaze' in residential street as fire service seen at scene - recap
We are getting reports of a fire on Winton Drive in Croxley Green this morning. Emergency services have been seen at the scene.

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 06:00:00 +0100
Brewers answers those crucial ‘what paint colour’ questions
Looking to plan some decorating this summer? Make sure you're confident with colour!

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 05:30:00 +0100
Three weeks of closures on busy Hertfordshire A-road starting tomorrow
Weeks of closures for the A414 from the Hertfordshire M1 start tomorrow amid upgrades to visibility.

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 14:56:41 +0100
Plan that could shape town's future opens for public comment
A Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan (CAAMP) for Rickmansworth is being updated by Three Rivers District Council.

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