Welwyn Hatfield Police

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Welwyn Hatfield Police

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This page is managed by Welwyn Hatfield North, West and South Safer Neighbourhood Teams.

Please report incidents and crimes via 101 or online at Herts.police.uk.

02/11/2026

⚖️ A man has been jailed for more than three years in connection with child sexual abuse offences.

Matthew Blakey was sentenced after he admitted travelling to Hertfordshire from his home in West Yorkshire to see a child he had met online.

The 30-year-old from River Holme View in Brockholes, Holmfirth, visited Hatfield on Friday 5 December 2025 and sexually assaulted the girl, who was aged 15 at the time.

He exchanged graphic sexual messages with the teenager prior to his visit and was later arrested on Monday 2 February 2026 after a report was made to the police.

Blakey pleaded guilty to two counts of causing a child to watch/look at an image of sexual activity, two counts of causing/inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity (pe*******on), two counts of making an indecent photograph/pseudo photograph of a child, two counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child and one count of possession of indecent images of children.

He was jailed for a total of three years and four months at St Albans Crown Court on Thursday 23 October. He was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order, which will both last for 10 years.

👮‍♀️ Detective Constable Sarah Gillham, from the Child Online Safeguarding Team, said: “Matthew Blakey is a dangerous offender, and this case shows how he groomed the victim by travelling some 170 miles to commit his crimes.

“The sexual abuse committed by Blakey has had a devastating impact on the victim who was thankfully spared the ordeal of a criminal trial by the guilty pleas.

“I hope today’s result goes some way in providing a sense of closure and that she can begin to move forward with her life.”

Becoming a victim of sexual assault is never your fault. If you’ve been a victim, no matter how long ago the offence occurred, please report it. We have specialist officers on hand to provide advice and support throughout an investigation.

Please visit the comments section to find out how you can report information to us.

01/11/2026

👮 Additional foot patrols are being carried out in Welwyn Hatfield as part of Operation Hotspot, helping to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in identified problem areas.

The patrols are currently focusing predominantly on town centre.

Here’s some results from across October…

- Visited various shops to work with management on how to prevent and report shoplifting. This included John Lewis, Boots, Savers, The Works and Sainsbury’s in Welwyn Garden City and Tesco in Hatfield.
- Arrested a man in Welwyn Garden City town centre on suspicion of possession of a lock knife
- Responded to a report of young people committing ASB, using e-bikes, in Green Vale, Welwyn Garden City
- Disposed of drugs that were found and handed in
- Provided first aid to an elderly lady who had fell and hit her head in Welwyn Garden City town centre
- Dealt with a customer refusing to leave a store in Welwyn Garden City town centre
- Arrested a man in Welwyn Garden City town centre on suspicion of a racially aggravated common assault
- E-scooters seized
- Traffic Offence Reports issued
- Drugs and shoplifting intelligence submitted

More information about Operation Hotspot can be found on our website at: https://orlo.uk/68HOo

30/10/2026

🚗 Police and partners have conducted a parking operation in as part of ongoing work to improve safety in 📍 Parkhouse Court.

🚏 The Welwyn Hatfield Neighbourhood Policing Team were at the newly re-opened bus station across last Wednesday to Friday (21-23 October).

PCs were joined by parking enforcement officers from Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, making sure that no vehicles were parked illegally or causing dangerous traffic obstructions.

The operation is part of ongoing work by the police and Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council to make the Parkhouse Court area safer. In August, a Public Spaces Protection Order was introduced and has already led to a decrease in anti-social behaviour.

Police and the local council have been working closely with County Council, who own the bus station, to ensure it becomes a safe and welcoming environment for residents, commuters and visitors. Work has included barriers to prevent obstructive parking and ANPR cameras.

🗣️ Welwyn Hatfield Chief Inspector Chris Rutter said: “We have been carrying extensive work to make Parkhouse Court a safer area and it is important that the new bus station is part of that work.

“Our operation aimed to provide a visible presence, ensuring that drivers are aware of the new parking restrictions in the area. There is signage installed making clear that parking is not allowed and patrols will be carried out by both police and the council’s parking enforcement officers. Vehicles that park there will be towed and their owners prosecuted.

“The bus station is an important transport hub for local people and we want everyone who uses it to feel safe and welcome. By working closely with our partners, we are helping to create an environment that is free from anti-social behaviour and dangerous parking.”

🗣️ Councillor Jane Quinton, Executive Member for Environment at Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, said: “We want all our communities to feel safe and are working hard to tackle anti-social behaviour in our neighbourhoods and public spaces.

“Dangerous and illegal parking is unfair and unacceptable, so I am proud of this joint operation to tackle the issue at Parkhouse Court as part of our ongoing partnership work with Hertfordshire Constabulary and Hertfordshire County Council.

“Building on the success of the Public Spaces Protection Order we introduced in August, this initiative will further reduce anti-social behaviour and help to make the bus station and surrounding area a safe and welcoming place for local people, commuters, visitors and businesses.”

🏡 Join the ‘Herts Connected’ community messaging service to keep up to date with what’s happening in your local area. Select ‘police’ when you sign up at https://orlo.uk/CHXk2

👉 You can also use the Herts Connected platform to let us know what you think we should be prioritising in your area. Your feedback will help towards shaping our local policing priorities, initiatives and campaigns. Visit https://orlo.uk/P4ncH and tell us your thoughts.

27/10/2026

🎊✈️ The Bunker Museum has welcomed its 5,000th visitor, less than four years after first opening its doors.

The museum was launched in November 2022 as a public engagement initiative to foster better relations between the police and the local community, particularly schoolchildren.

Located inside the Grade II listed police station, it celebrates the building’s heritage as a former aircraft factory. The museum includes photos, historical items, original film footage, dioramas and models that tell the story of the building from its origins in 1933 as the Headquarters of the de Havilland Aircraft Company, through to its current use.

Since its launch, The Bunker has welcomed school trips, community groups such as Brownies and Scouts, and numerous local residents – many of whom have a personal connection to The Bunker.

Last Tuesday (20 October), the museum hit a milestone moment, welcoming its 5,000th visitor.

Local woman Karen (pictured with Police Support Volunteer Curator Alistair Hodgson) attended the museum with her mum. Karen recalled visiting the aircraft factory for an open day as a young girl and seeing the world-famous Concorde.

👮 PCSO Anne Devine, from the Welwyn Hatfield Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We were delighted to welcome our 5,000th visitor to The Bunker and it was really special that Karen and her mum were locals with a personal connection to The Bunker’s story. So many visitors have had wonderful memories to share and it’s been great to see a real sense of community spirit.

“We’re really proud of The Bunker and how it is helping to create engagement with the local public and young school children.

“Regular open days are hosted throughout the year so please do keep an eye out on the Welwyn Hatfield Police page or Herts Connected for upcoming dates.”

➡️ Find out more about The Bunker at https://orlo.uk/CbJsR

Join the ‘Herts Connected’ community messaging service to keep up to date with what’s happening in your local area. Select ‘police’ when you sign up at https://orlo.uk/NC9pL

You can also use the Herts Connected platform to let us know what you think we should be prioritising in your area. Your feedback will help towards shaping our local policing priorities, initiatives and campaigns. Visit https://orlo.uk/O4ede and tell us your thoughts.

27/10/2026

As part of an ongoing investigation, detectives are appealing for help to trace a man they would like to speak to in connection with a robbery in .

The incident happened at around 10pm on Tuesday 22 September in the Welcome convenience store (Co-op) in Station Road.

Officers believe the man pictured was in the area at the time and may have information that will help the investigation.

We appreciate that his face is covered, but we are hoping that someone may recognise his clothing or the dog he had with him.

If you recognise this person or have any other information that could help officers with their enquiries, please contact DC Sarah Skene – [email protected] .

You can also report information online at https://orlo.uk/rt5pP, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat at https://orlo.uk/A38yk or call the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference number 41/91456/26.

Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at https://orlo.uk/7TXgQ .

27/10/2026

👮 Last Thursday, Hate Crime Officer PC Natasha Redman visited The 12 Apostles Greek Orthodox Church in where a fundraiser was being held for its weekly food bank.

Since the food bank began operating, it has supported more than 800 families, providing essential food and household supplies to those facing hardship 👏

PC Redman attended the event to remind those at the church of the specialist help she can provide as one of the constabulary's Hate Crime Officers.

Pictured is PC Redman with just some of the incredible volunteers who help run the food bank every Wednesday. The volunteers all received a photograph and a small token of thanks in recognition of their efforts.

For anyone wishing to support the food bank, donations of food items can be made directly to the church.

🚨 Hate crime 🚨
A hate crime is any crime that is targeted against a person because of their disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, or transgender identity.
Hertfordshire Constabulary recognises that not everyone will feel comfortable reporting a hate crime directly to police, which is why we have worked with partners to establish third-party reporting centres across the county.
Staff at these centres, which include religious locations, community centres, charities, leisure centres, council buildings and more, have received training from police and are supported by local police Hate Crime Officers.
They can support anonymity by taking reports on behalf of those who do not want to go directly to police.
All those who report a hate crime, either directly to police or via a third-party reporting centre, will be treated with respect and sensitivity.
Visit https://orlo.uk/xCBs3 for more information including details of third-party reporting centres.

26/10/2026

We are increasing patrols and urging the public to be vigilant following a spate of robberies in .

📍 Robberies have taken place in and around the alleyways surrounding Asda, including The Common, Queensway and St Peter’s Close.

Officers are working to establish if the robberies are linked. The suspects have been described as young men, mostly with hoods or balaclavas on. Offenders have been reported in some incidents to be in possession of a knife.

👮 Welwyn Hatfield Chief Inspector Chris Rutter said: “My officers are working hard to find those responsible for these incidents.

“Whilst thankfully nobody has been hurt, these have been frightening incidents for the victims.

“The robberies have been occurring at varying times across weekdays and weekends.

“I would like to urge the public to be vigilant and aware of your surroundings. Most victims have been targeted due to carrying expensive shopping bags or carrying their phones or cash in plain sight. Please ensure your valuables are hidden and avoid walking with your phone in your hand.

“We understand these incidents will cause concern in the local community, which is why we have increased patrols in the area while our enquiries continue. If you witnessed any of these robberies, saw anything suspicious, or have CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage that may assist our investigation, please get in touch.”

You can report information online at https://orlo.uk/y8IZu, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat at https://orlo.uk/jmiUu or call the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at https://orlo.uk/htOmJ

In an emergency, always call 999.

26/10/2026

Two suspected shoplifters have been charged following an incident in Woodhall, .

On Thursday 15 October, PCSOs from the Welwyn Hatfield Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) spotted a suspected shoplifting in Boots.

A search of the area was carried out by the NPT and officers from the Response Team.

Two people were subsequently located and arrested:
• Mark Feller-Gill, aged 37, of Knella Road in Welwyn Garden City, was arrested and charged with theft from shop
• Kerrie Rowlands, age 42, of Furzefield Road in Welwyn Garden City, was arrested and charged with theft from shop

PC Ashley Stewart, from the Welwyn Hatfield Response Team, said: “We know the impact that shoplifting can have on businesses, not to the mention the feeling of unsafety that customers may experience.

“Shoplifting reports are taken seriously and we made a swift arrest, providing reassurance to the store and hopefully demonstrating a deterrent.”

Join the ‘Herts Connected’ community messaging service to keep up to date with what’s happening in your local area. Select ‘police’ when you sign up at https://orlo.uk/7nEe0

You can also use the Herts Connected platform to let us know what you think we should be prioritising in your area. Your feedback will help towards shaping our local policing priorities, initiatives and campaigns. Visit https://orlo.uk/evepN and tell us your thoughts.

24/10/2026

Ava, who had been reported missing from Welwyn Garden City, has been safely located and is with officers.

Thank you for sharing our appeals.

24/10/2026

❗ We are aware that a large tree has fallen in Westfield, Brookmans Park, and is blocking the road.

This has been reported to Highways colleagues who will attend to remove the tree as soon as possible.

Please avoid the area at this time.

With the bad weather expected to continue, we'd urge drivers to please take care on the roads and allow extra time for journeys.

Address

Comet Way
Hatfield
AL109SJ

Website

http://www.herts.police.uk/

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