The Watford Observer is again delighted to be teaming up with its friends at Watford Museum to take another journey back to the past to recall the key events and dates that helped shape the town’s future.

Part 35 of '50 events and dates that shaped Watford' looks back at the building of the first police station not in the town centre and, perhaps coincidentally, close to four pubs.

The museum's volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: "Watford's first police stations were in the town – a purpose built one was in King Street. It was soon decided that an additional station was needed. The site chosen was in St Albans Road opposite the junction with Leavesden Road. Its proximity to the railway station was, presumably, the reason for the choice. This photo shows the station in the mid 1940s.

Watford Observer:

The red dot shows the location of the police station on this 1940's map. Leavesden Road is the angled street on the left. Credit: Watford Museum

"Tenders for 'Watford New Town Police Station' were requested and at the end of 1896, Mr W Judge was awarded the contract for £3,200. It is not known if this new station had any impact on the local pubs. The Leviathan and the Stag were directly opposite the station and the Queens Arms and Railway Arms, just along the road!

Watford Observer:

The site of the police station today. Picture: Google

"The police station closed in the mid 1940’s. Today, the site is taken by the carriageway into Watford."

Watford Museum is open Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. No booking is necessary but Covid prevention measures are still in place to keep visitors safe.