Watford 'machete attack' by balaclava trio near town centre

Herts Police said officers were called to the assault in Sotheron Road at around 2pm on Sunday, November 5, which left the victim with minor injuries.

A force spokesperson said: “It was reported that three men, who were dressed in black and wearing balaclavas, attacked another man with a bladed weapon.

“The victim sustained minor injuries. No arrests have been made at this time and enquiries are ongoing.”

They confirmed that the weapon was reported to be a “machete”.

The machete attack was reportedly in Sotheron Road, near Watford town centre. (Image: Google Maps)

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It is understood there were at least three witnesses who police have interviewed.

Cyclist seriously injured

In what is believed to be a separate incident at around 1pm the same day, a heavy emergency services presence was also seen in High Street, near L’artista.

It was in response to a 19-year-old being seriously injured after an electric bicycle crashed into a tree, police said. The teenager was taken to hospital by paramedics.

The machete incident comes as the force gears up for their "week of action on knife crime" between November 13 and 20.

In a bid to tackle the problem, residents have been asked for their views and whether they are fearful of people carrying them. Feedback can be provided via a survey on the Herts Police website.

When asked by the Watford Observer on social media, one user wrote: “Carrying a knife should be an imprisonable offence no different to a gun. It is carried for one reason only – to use.

“I have a personal interest in knife crime. My kids lost their mother to it and she worked in a psychiatric hospital. Enough said!”

Another echoed that view, adding: “Personally [I think being] caught with a knife should mean you serve time as punishment. Maybe it might make them think next time, or stop them using it, because prison isn’t nice at all.”

Anyone with information about the attack can report it via the Herts Police website or by calling non-emergency number 101.