Watford Observer

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 10:04:00 +0000
Burglars smash way into property and steal coal stove
A coal stove, coffee and pictures have been stolen from a property in Watford, sparking a police appeal.

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 09:56:41 +0000
Bridge shut and trains disrupted after wall tumbles to tracks - live
A road is shut at a bridge after part of the wall tumbled towards the railway tracks below.

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 08:49:49 +0000
Hertfordshire weather warning in place TODAY
Hertfordshire has been with hit a yellow weather warning for heavy rain, which is in place from 9am to 10pm on Thursday (November 15).

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 07:56:40 +0000
Recommendation made ahead of decision on flats plan with 142 objections
Plans for a new building containing five flats in Rickmansworth have been recommended for refusal after 142 objections from members of the pubic.

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 05:30:00 +0000
Stabbing victim's wife 'deeply moved' by 7,000-strong petition
The wife of the victim in a Bushey stabbing says she has been “deeply moved” as a petition for tougher sentences gathered more than 7,000 signatures.

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 05:30:00 +0000
Watford primary schools compared ahead of application deadline
Using Ofsted and school performance data from the government, the Watford Observer has compared primary schools in the town

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 07:18:00 +0000
Save £100pp on Just Go Holiday’s ‘Jewels collection’
Let’s face it we’re all pretty much done with winter now and looking ahead to bluer skies and brighter days!

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 18:40:00 +0000
New mansion with cinema and gym planned for 'region's most expensive road'
Plans have been submitted for a new six-bedroom home in Loom Lane, Radlett, dubbed the East of England's most expensive street.

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 17:17:00 +0000
New house to be built on empty patch at corner of two roads
Land on the corner of two South Oxhey roads is set to become the site of a new house after plans were approved.

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 16:50:18 +0000
Actor John Alford jailed after sexually assaulting girls in Hertfordshire
Former London’s Burning actor John Alford has been jailed for eight-and-a-half years after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting two teenage girls during a party at a friend’s home.

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 16:09:00 +0000
Watford pensioner charged with nine child sex offences
A 74-year-old man from Watford has been charged with nine child sex offences and will appear in court next month.

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 16:00:00 +0000
When a rare discovery was unearthed near Watford
A look back at the archaeological excavation of a rare Roman watermill on the Loudwater Estate, in Rickmansworth, in the 1990s.

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 15:04:02 +0000
Hotel used by Warner Bros tour visitors sold as part of £89m deal
The Premier Inn hotel, in Kings Langley and 15 minutes from Warner Bros. Studio Tour, has been sold as part of an £89m deal.

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 14:00:00 +0000
Santa sleigh collection raises more than £10,000 to help those in need
Bushey and Oxhey Santa sleigh raises over £10,000 for local charities, providing 185 food parcels. Organised by Ladies Circle and Round Table.

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 13:48:00 +0000
Sex pest masseur who targeted women at Herts hotel jailed and set to be deported
A “wolf in sheep’s clothing” masseur who abused his position to touch women sexually at a Hertfordshire hotel has been jailed and will be deported.

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 13:00:00 +0000
Village delays warning with several roadworks planned this month
Croxley Green Parish Council has issued a warning to residents over ongoing roadworks in the area, including a two-week road closure in Watford Road.

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 12:30:00 +0000
Burglar ransacks home after climbing through upstairs window
A burglar ransacked a Bushey home after climbing in through a window, sparking a call for information.

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 11:10:00 +0000
600-home plan opposite ancient woodland recommended for approval
Some 600 homes could soon be built opposite Whippendell Wood after plans were recommended for approval.

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000
Watford TGI Fridays NOT included in list of 16 closed branches
TGI Fridays has closed 16 branches immediately, with the Watford location appearing to be safe.

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000
Garston ultra-rapid charging site a big hit with motorists
LEAP24 are delighted at the response their Ultra Rapid Charging Station in Garston has enjoyed since it was officially opened in September by Watford mayor Peter Taylor, with local motorists flocking to the site.

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 09:50:08 +0000
'Hour-long delays' after crash on Hertfordshire motorway - recap
One of two lanes is closed on the A1M northbound near Welwyn and Stevenage, in Hertfordshire.

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 08:07:35 +0000
TikTok personality with 4m followers tries 'famous' nachos at Watford cinema
TikTok vlogger "letstestlaurencemore" has paid a visit to Watford's Vue Cinema to try the chain's "famous" nachos.

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 07:55:01 +0000
New 64-home plan in Watford revealed with consultation event set
Watford Community Housing is preparing to hold an event to get feedback on plans for 64 homes on land between the Holywell Estate and Watford Business Park.

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 05:30:00 +0000
Colosseum under fire after 'heartbreaking' last-minute cancellation
Disappointed parents have expressed their frustration after a K-Pop Demon Hunters tribute show at Watford Colosseum was cancelled at short notice.

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 07:17:00 +0000
Savings to be had on hundreds of items at FabFinds
If payday seems a long way off this January, you will probably be wanting to save money on the much-needed essentials. And, if you want a one stop shop for all of your favourite brands for less, then head to FabFinds.

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 17:10:00 +0000
Ex-Herts Police officer 'stripped of British citizenship for living in Russia'
A former Hertfordshire Police officer has claimed he was stripped of his British citizenship for living in Russia.

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:57:00 +0000
Nine-bed HMO plan returns despite previous ASB fears
Plans for a nine-bed HMO in Kings Langley's Station Road have been submitted despite concerns previously being raised about ASB.

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:32:00 +0000
Fixing Herts roads a ‘top priority’, says county council leader
Hertfordshire County Council leader Steve Jarvis has stressed that fixing roads is a “top priority".

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:00:00 +0000
The popular café near Watford that featured in classic British movies
A look back at Wally's Café, on the A41, in Bushey, that featured in Alfred Hitchcock's Frenzy and Alfie starring Michael Caine.

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 14:10:00 +0000
Watford church to mosque plan: everything you need to know
Everything residents need to know about plans to turn a disused church into a mosque and community space in Langley Way, Watford.

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 12:45:00 +0000
Flooding fears blow for 200-home plan on green space
Plans for 200 homes to be added to a Radlett development have been dealt a blow after Hertfordshire County Council's flooding authority lodged an objection.

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 11:23:14 +0000
Long delays on Hertfordshire M25 after crash - recap
Long delays on the M25 in Hertfordshire following a multi-vehicle crash between junctions 24 for Potters Bar and Junction 25 for Enfield.

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 10:39:00 +0000
Calls for Colombia Press return after replacement Jardin shuts within months
Following the closure of Watford town centre venue Jardin, some punters have called for the return of the Colombia Press Wetherspoon pub.

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 05:30:00 +0000
Every Hertfordshire eatery with a 1/5 or 0/5 food hygiene rating
All eateries in every area of Hertfordshire that currently have a food hygiene rating of 1/5 or worse according to the Food Standards Agency.

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 07:16:00 +0000
Colours for 2026 revealed by Brewers Decorator Centres
What will be your colour for 2026?

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 14:37:39 +0000
Council to spend £381k on four-bed Watford home to ease waiting list pressure
Watford Borough Council is set to spend £381,000 buying a Watford house for people in temporary or unsuitable accommodation.

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 12:30:00 +0000
M25 closure near Watford among motorway works scheduled for this week
Hertfordshire M1, M25, and A1M closures will be in place next week for both emergency and scheduled works.

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000
Six pubs in Watford and nearby that we've loved and lost
A look back at six great pubs from the past in Watford, South Oxhey, Rickmansworth and Croxley Green that we've loved and lost.

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0000
Hertfordshire’s picturesque hidden village that promises a peaceful life
Braughing in Hertfordshire is often described as a charming and hidden village that offers a peaceful life.

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 17:13:00 +0000
Five sites in and around Watford where 100+ homes could be built
These fives sites in the Watford area are all currently the subject of planning applications for 100 or more homes.

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 15:44:00 +0000
Man caught in Hemel police chase admits multiple vehicle crimes
A Hemel Hempstead man has pleaded guilty to multiple vehicle crime offences including theft and dangerous driving.

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 13:50:00 +0000
Man fighting for life after medical emergency at leisure centre
Police have confirmed that a man is in a critical condition following a "medical emergency" near South Oxhey leisure centre on Sunday evening (January 11).

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 12:25:00 +0000
Red Cross building plan submitted with new CGI released
Formal plans have been submitted for Croxley Green's former Red Cross building to become homes, community space and offices.

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 13:07:02 +0000
Three vehicle crimes in Watford spark police appeals
Hertfordshire Police are appealing for the public's help to solve four crimes in and around Watford from recent days.

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 11:00:35 +0000
15 pictures remembering Watford's greatest ever manager
15 pictures remembering Watford's greatest ever manager Graham Taylor on the ninth anniversary of his death.

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 10:55:00 +0000
New TV show filmed near Watford set to air next week
Filming took place in Bovingdon and Tring for new Quest television series Guz Khan's Custom Cars, which is set to air next week.

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 09:55:00 +0000
Herts man who died after plane crashed into reservoir named
A Hertfordshire man has been named as the victim of a fatal plane crash at Hanningfield Reservoir between Chelmsford and Billericay.

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 09:43:03 +0000
5 facts about Hertfordshire that you probably didn't know
Here are five facts about Hertfordshire you probably haven't heard of.

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 05:30:00 +0000
Plan to build four-bedroom house in place of collapsed fire-damaged barn
Plans to knock down a collapsed fire-damaged barn in Aldenham and build a family home have been submitted.

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 05:30:00 +0000
Watford High Street bar seeks permission to extend opening hours
Watford High Street’s new sports bar is looking to extend its opening hours and reopen the upstairs.

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