Eight Watford drivers given tickets and drink driver caught

Police carried out an operation in Watford town centre on Saturday responding to public concerns about road and pedestrian safety.

Since last May, only drivers of buses, taxis, and delivery vehicles, as well as blue badge holders have legally been allowed to travel down the High Street (from Water Lane) and into King Street.

The signposted restriction was introduced by Hertfordshire County Council to allow visitors, and those who work in the town centre, to move around safely, queue if needed and maintain social distancing, to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

The street view image from September 2020 shows the signs in place to warn drivers there is restricted access right onto the High Street towards King Street

But it seems drivers in restricted vehicles have been ignoring the signposts with police agreeing to take action.

In less than 45 minutes yesterday, police stopped eight drivers and said they were all issued with tickets for driving offences.

Police officers speaking to drivers who illegally used the High Street and King Street. Credit: Watford Police

Watford Central county councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst wrote on social media he was "glad" to see the traffic operation take place and said the county council will be putting up new signs which he says will make the rules in place in the area to drivers "very clear".

The council has also put up signs telling drivers there is no access onto the High Street via Great Cambridge Road after residents highlighted lorries using their street.

Credit: Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst

As well as the operation in King Street, police said officers also carried out a number of knife sweeps.

They searched for weapons in town centre hotspots linked to antisocial behaviour.

Police also responded to a "high value" shoplifting in the town centre - two suspects were detained while a third person was later arrested following a foot chase. All three arrested were taken into custody.

That evening, police on patrol in Watford pulled over a vehicle which officers said had a tyre "which looked a little worse for wear".

Police shared an image of the tyre. Credit: Watford Police

Checks on the driver revealed they had no insurance and only had a provisional license.

A breath test was conducted on the driver because officers could smell alcohol.

The driver blew 104 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath at the roadside, almost three times the legal limit of 35.

Police say the driver was arrested on suspicion of drink driving, driving without a licence, driving without insurance and driving with a defective tyre.

The car was seized and the driver was taken into police custody.

A silver vehicle was seized by police. Credit: Watford Police