Getting followed home and being threatened with a fire extinguisher are just two problems women claimed they experienced in Watford.

The Watford Observer headed into the town centre on Monday, January 30 to find out people’s views on crime in the area.

The responses varied but the general consensus was that crime was getting worse in Watford. 

Watford chief inspector Andy Wiseman said efforts have been made to make people feel safer and deter offenders. 

Watford Observer: Holly Levy said she has been followed home before. Holly Levy said she has been followed home before. (Image: Newsquest)

Both women interviewed said they do not feel safe going out alone when it is dark.

Watford chief inspector Andy Wiseman said a visible police presence in Watford town centre is a "priority for the force" when concerns were put to him.

Holly Levy, 25, a bartender who lives in Watford, said: “I’ve been followed home before, shouted at and had things thrown at me.”

Ms Levy has considered moving away from the area.

And while Noora Hassett, 72, who also lives in Watford, said she hasn’t experienced any crime recently, she did describe an incident she experienced before Covid.

Watford Observer: Noora Hassett described a time she was threatened with a fire extinguisher. Noora Hassett described a time she was threatened with a fire extinguisher. (Image: Newsquest)

She said: “I was followed by two young lads under the underpass. They had a fire extinguisher and lifted it up.

“I said, ‘do you want to fight, come on I’ll box you’. I do combat you see. Then they ran away.”

But it is not only women who think their safety is at risk.

Drugs were highlighted as a problem in the area by Boris Dromard, 45.

He added: “I’d like the police to monitor the area, not just the party places where they patrol over the weekend.”

Watford Observer: Boris Dromard is concerned about the drug use in WatfordBoris Dromard is concerned about the drug use in Watford (Image: Newsquest)

But not everyone had similar views.

Stuart Droznika, 71, from Bushey, said he feels “quite safe”.

But added: “I drive. I think you always feel safer if you have a car.”

Watford chief inspector Andy Wiseman said having a regular visible police presence in Watford town centre is important to reassure residents and deter possible offenders.

Watford Observer: Stuart Droznika said he feels quite safe in Bushey where he lives. Stuart Droznika said he feels quite safe in Bushey where he lives. (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Wiseman added: “We do have sufficient resources to patrol Watford’s hotspot areas during busy periods, and to respond to incidents when they are reported to us.”

He outlined the measures Watford has in place to support women and girls including a safe zone area set up inside PRYZM and training for local businesses on how to report suspicious or predatory behaviour.  

Mr Wiseman added the police force is aware that residents are concerned about drug activity.

He said: “Our officers continue to do proactive covert and overt patrols in areas that have been highlighted as hotspots.”