Nick Fewings
By Fintan McGuinness
A police force has been given the green light to install a Tardis-like police box in a bid to dupe potential thieves on a high street.
Hertfordshire Constabulary submitted a planning application for the police box in Watford, Herts., as part of a pilot scheme to combat crime.
The force said the area had become a "hotspot" for anti-social behaviour, with regular reports of theft and violent crime.
If the pilot program, which will initially run for 18 months, proves successful in preventing crime, other police boxes could soon join it across the town.
Documents explained that the police box - in the colour and style of Doctor Who's time-travelling Tardis - would work as potential criminals wouldn't be sure if a police officer was in the box, making them less likely to carry out a crime.
Plans from architecture firm Vincent & Gorbing claimed a similar police box installed in Boscombe, Dorset, had led to a 35 percent reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour.
(Vincent & Gorbing via SWNS)
They added that the steel box would "reassert" the profile of the town's police in the wake of the recent closure of the nearby Shady Lane Police Station.
Planning documents explained: "The Police Box would comprise a steel structure, with PPC Navy blue finish.
"Door, panels, roof & all features to be fabricated from sheet steel & light hollow section members.
"The light on the top of the roof will illuminate when external phone is in use.
"Inside the Police Box, the floor plan allows for a small desk with chairs on opposite sides.
"Additionally, a telephone providing a direct phone line to the county control room 24/7 for the public to use would also be installed, along with a defibrillator.
"The Police Box would be bolted down to the ground to prevent it being tipped over.
"The Police Box platform would be raised from the ground to ensure surface water from rain events can drain normally without interference.
"A ‘traditional’ Police Box design and colour scheme is proposed and is considered to blend into the streetscene without looking out of place."
(Vincent & Gorbing via SWNS)
The documents failed to mention how much it would cost the force.
On the purpose of the proposed police box Jacob Kaven, the Principal Planner on the project from Vincent & Gorbing, added: "Watford Town Centre is one of three identified crime ‘hotspot’ locations in Watford experiencing crime and anti-social behaviour on a regular basis.
"In an effort to reduce crime and ASB in this hotspot, Hertfordshire Constabulary is proposing the temporary installation of a Police Box to the north of the High Street/Queen’s Road junction as part of a pilot program.
"The purpose of the Police Box is to deter criminals from carrying out crime in this crime hotspot.
"The idea is that the potential criminals would not know if there was a police officer inside the box and therefore would be less likely to carry out a crime.
"A similar Police Box has been installed in Boscombe, Dorset, which has attributed to a 35% reduction in crime and ASB in the immediate area.
"By reducing crime in the area, the proposed Police Box will make the area safer and more enjoyable to pedestrians, thereby contributing to the vibrancy and vitality of the Town Centre."
