Council canvassers are going door to door in Watford encouraging residents to complete their voter registration forms ahead of forthcoming Hertfordshire police commissioner elections.

Around 18,000 homes are due to be called on as just over half of the forms sent out by Watford Borough Council last months have been returned.

Households are required by law to return their electoral registration forms or they could face fines of up to £1,000. The annual electoral canvass is taking place earlier this year across Hertfordshire ahead of new county police commissioner elections taking place on November 15.

The ballot will decide who takes over the newly-created top political job overseeing Hertfordshire Constabulary . Only those who are on the electoral register will be eligible to vote in the election.

Gordon Amos, elections manager at Watford Borough Council said: “Our canvassers carry identification to confirm they are working on behalf of Watford Borough Council and can also help residents complete the paperwork.

“Registering to vote is quick and easy. It is important that residents are registered now in order to have a voice on local issues. It is the only way of making sure you have a vote at election time. You are not automatically registered if you pay council tax or if you have registered previously.”

Anyone who has not received a voter registration form can do so by emailing the council on elections@watford.gov.uk or calling on 01923 278369.