Details of a number of violent crimes which took place in the area over the last three months but were not announced by police have been revealed.

A Freedom of Information request submitted by the Watford Observer asked Hertfordshire Constabulary to release information on all incidents filed under the “if asked” category – meaning details are only released if a reporter asks about the incident directly.

Details on the following incidents have not been released until now.

  • In November, police received reports that four men who had their faces covered forced entry to a property in Raven Close. A man and a woman inside the property were assaulted, sustaining head and face injuries respectively. Both were taken to hospital for treatment.
  • Four men were arrested by police at the Park Street travellers’ site in December. Three police officers – two women and a man – were injured, one of the female officers suffering serious facial injuries. One man was arrested for assault, robbery, and anti-social behaviours. The other three were arrested for assaulting police officers.
  • A 57-year-old nanny from Richmond was arrested on suspicion of child cruelty following an incident in Harpenden in October. She is currently on police bail pending further enquiries.
  • A 47-year-old man from Bovingdon was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault on a child under the age of 13 – it is alleged that the child was touched inappropriately. The man has been bailed until March 8.
  • Officers were called to reports of a car in a ditch on White Horse Lane, London Colney. A 28-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and being drunk while in charge of a child. No-one suffered any injuries.
  • A man was stabbed after a fight broke out between a group of teenagers outside the Ox Pub, South Oxhey, in December. Police dispersed the group and made enquiries in an attempt to locate the person responsible.
  • Police were called to reports of a break-in at Watford Football Club in the early hours of Friday, November 18. Officers located a 44-year-old man in the bathroom and arrested him on suspicion of burglary.
  • A female prison officer from Dunstable was reported for misconduct in a public office in relation to an incident at The Mount Prison, Bovingdon, after accusations arose of the 27-year-old having an inappropriate relationship with an inmate.
  • It was discovered that cash had been stolen from a number of bank accounts belonging to elderly people in Abbots Langley in October. A 39-year-old man was arrested in connection with the investigation.
  • Police pursued a man after he failed to stop his car in the early hours of November 16. The 24-year-old, who was wanted for recall to prison, was eventually brought to a halt on Rickmansworth High Street.
  • Officers were called to reports of a shooting in Hill Dyke Road in Wheathampstead. A woman was inside a property on December 15 when she heard a loud bang. On investigating the door, she discovered it had been damaged. No-one was injured.

Head of corporate communications Colin Connolly said: “If asked lines are drafted to give the media some initial context of an incident ahead of a pro-active appeal or other investigative action being taken. 

“The Constabulary will always try and be pro-active with information but there are times when we may need to wait but for good reason, because officers are trying to trace next of kin in the event of a sudden death or looking to arrest an offender in fast time. Sometimes we need to wait for a key piece of information to be confirmed.

“In some instances the nature of an incident is so confusing information cannot be released until initial facts can be established as the force has an absolute responsibility not to mislead the public at any time.

“We are victim-focused in our approach and will whenever possible explain to media what the challenges are around reporting an incident to ensure journalists get a sense of the real picture about a case.”