This was revealed after an exclusive Watford Observer Freedom of Information (FOI) request found that in 2022, a total of 282 sexual offences were recorded in Watford by Hertfordshire Constabulary where the victim was either male or female.  

But in the year 2018, the figure stood at 245. 

As seen in Figure 1, the numbers dropped in 2019 and during 2020/21, most likely due to the Covid-19 lockdowns, a Hertfordshire Constabulary spokesperson said.

The force added that the rise in the reporting of sexual offences, which include rape, attempted rape, and voyeurism, from 2018 to 2022, could be due to an “increase in public confidence to report crime and suspicious activity”.  

They added: “We have also been working closely with local night turn economy businesses in Watford, such as local bars, restaurants, pubs and clubs, to provide ongoing support regarding safeguarding, and educating staff on how to identify and report predatory behaviour.”

Is Watford improving? 

However, by comparison, Watford’s rise in declared incidents is lower than the rest of the country. 

England and Wales had 152,741 sexual offences recorded in 2018, which went up by nearly 27% in 2022 to 193,566, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.  

Women told the Observer they were not shocked by the Watford data with one believing it is down to more people coming forward, while the other suggested women are not as safe in Watford as they once used to be. 

Bethany Moxon, 39, who lives in Abbots Langley and works in Watford, said: “I wasn’t surprised by the figures.

Bethany Moxon feels Watford has become safer over the years. (Image: Kimberley Hackett)

“I do think it’s good that women are now less afraid to come forward. 

“There has been this stigma, with TV shows saying things like “we can’t prove it,” but regardless of what it is, even “just” a grope, you should report it.” 

Ms Moxon, who works for a medical device company, thinks things in the town have progressed over the years. 

She said: “There is lots of information in the ladies’ toilets about spiking. This was always a worry when I was younger. 

“The bar staff seem more aware of it and more educated to the tell-tale signs unlike when I was in my 20s.” 

She also cited that bars and restaurants now have Ask for Angela posters in the toilets that lets people know they can ask staff for help if they do not feel safe.   

See the video below with Ms Moxon talking about her experience of living in Watford.

Even though Ms Moxon thinks there have been improvements over the years and there is now less of a “booze culture” she still sees there is room for development, having last lived in Watford four years ago.  

She said: “I would finish work at 11pm and get back to Watford about 11.30pm. 

“I would have to walk back home, and the lights are off around midnight in the streets.

“There is always a general anxiety, regardless of gender, of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but I do think Watford is getting better but like everywhere there is room for improvement.” 

Women facing harassment  

Nilanjana Paul’s view on the area is vastly different. The 47-year-old, who lives in West Watford, told the Observer the changes she sees in the town from 25 years ago. 

She said: “It has gone downhill.  

“Back then I was on my own most days with my twin daughters and I never needed to worry about anything, even if the windows were open.  

“But now, we don’t even open the front door straight away when someone knocks.”

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Mrs Paul worries about women whose English might not be their first language. 

She said: “There is lots of anti-social behaviour and drug use in Watford. 

“There are women who cannot converse with the language and culture, and they might feel they are being harassed.” 

We are working on a story about women's safety in #Watford.

Do you think women are safe in Watford?

We'd love to hear your views on this too.

— Watford Observer (@Observer_Owl) March 21, 2023

Lack of faith in the police

A 27-year-old woman, who did not want to be named, said she had been harassed by men in the town centre during the night and day.  

The most recent was in December 2022 after her work’s Christmas party when she was walking to Gade Car Park via Bentine Lane.  

Bentine Lane leading to Gade Car Park in Rosslyn Road. (Image: Kimberley Hackett)

She said: “You have to go down a bit of an alleyway to get there. This man started shouting at me and asking for my number. 

“I did the whole, ‘I have a boyfriend,’ even though I don’t, then he started shouting verbal abuse at me.” 

The woman, who lives in Bushey, was the only person in the car park at the time at around 10.30pm. 

She said: “Worst case scenario I thought this guy was going to attack me.  

“Luckily, I was able to get in my car, but I had a bit of a panic attack on my way home.”

The incident has left her not wanting to be on her own at night and her and her friends now share their locations with each other on their phones when they go out. 

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She said: “I think Watford is a brilliant place for nightlife, but it has a lot of unsafe areas in that aspect. 

“The town turns into a place where people get drunk and then people lurk in doorways and pray on vulnerable people.” 

Asked if she had considered reporting harassment incidents to the police, she said that after Sarah Everard’s death where she was murdered by the then serving Metropolitan Police officer, Wayne Couzens, she said she has “no confidence in the force”. 

She added: “Sadly, women have learnt to deal with these things. I don’t feel safe, even with the police around.” 

A police spokesperson said: “We recognise the damage he [Wayne Couzens] will have caused to communities’ confidence in policing but would like to reiterate that he is in no way reflective of policing generally and we as an organisation remain absolutely committed to protecting women and girls from violence and abuse and keeping our streets safe for everyone.” 

The gender difference

Data collected via the Observer’s FOI also revealed that more women have reported sexual offences in Watford than men. 

In the five years between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2022, there were a total of 1,196 sexual offences reported (see Figure 1).

Of these, 991 victims were women and 133 were men.

A further 72 incidents were reported where the gender was not known by the police.

This means that eight times more women have reported being victims of sexual offences than men. 

The Hertfordshire-based charity Juno Counselling that supports survivors of sexual violence sees the rise in sexual offences reported in Watford as a positive step. 

Its counsellor and trustee Lou Roberts said it reflects “the growth in online awareness and support for survivors of sexual violence, following the Me Too movement”. 

Lou Roberts, counsellor and trustee at Juno Counselling. (Image: Juno Counselling)

Mrs Roberts believes that due to the shame associated with male victims of sexual offences they might be less likely to come forward, hence why the number is lower in the FOI data. 

She added: “Men may face possible further shaming for not being able to fight their attacker off or for somehow being to blame for attracting such attention.  

“This inaccurate and dangerous assumption may keep male survivors silent, something that no one should ever have to do.” 

She encouraged everyone to seek support if they are victims of sexual assaults adding that “women far outweigh men for accessing general counselling services”.   

How the police and Watford Borough Council are helping 

The two organisations have come together to assist businesses in the town centre to better support people, particularly in relation to the nightlife. 

In a joint statement they encouraged residents to feedback about safety and policing in the area anonymously via the online ECHO platform. 

They said people can use schemes such as Hollie Guard, Ask for Angela, Ask 4 Clive and the town centre safe zone at Watford’s club Pryzm if they feel vulnerable. 

Recently, Pryzm played host to more than 100 Watford bar, pub, hotel, door and security staff, representatives from the council and licensed premises owners, who were there to learn about safeguarding advice as part of a drive to tackle violence against women.

Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor said: "Every sexual assault is one too many and I want all perpetrators to be brought to justice.

"It’s encouraging that reporting of sexual assaults has increased but too many victims still feel unable to come forward."

In November 2022, the council and the police received a White Ribbon accreditation as recognition of their commitment to end violence against women and girls.   

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A spokesperson for both organisations said: “As part of the accreditation, male council staff will act as ‘ambassadors’ advocating for the cause and helping to raise awareness of issues within the local community.”

The two organisations also work together to produce an annual community safety plan and one of the key objectives is to tackle violence against women and girls.

“This is constantly under review with information received from the police, park ranger patrols, CCTV and feedback we receive on streetlighting,” a spokesperson said.