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E-scooters being confiscated and destroyed by police in Hertfordshire

 

E-scooters illegally ridden on the streets of Hertfordshire are being confiscated and destroyed by the police, the Chief Constable has assured the Police and Crime Commissioner.

PCC Jonathan Ash-Edwards asked the Chief Constable Charlie Hall about the enforcement of the laws around the electronic scooters during his monthly Accountability and Performance meetings.

In the discussion, which is broadcast live on the internet, Mr Hall said that action is being taken against riders who are breaking the law by using them on public roads and pavements.

Mr Ash-Edwards said: “E scooters are primarily on the agenda today because they have driven probably the largest amount of correspondence into my office over recent months compared to any other topic.

“There are particular community concerns from residents about the use of these scooters in town centres, specifically from blind people and those with disabilities, around the of impact of people whizzing around town centres.”

Asked for clarification on the legality of using E-scooters the Chief Constable replied: “It's not unlawful to sell these scooters. These scooters can only be used on private land but they are not lawfully to be used on public roads, pavements, or other pedestrian areas, and there is a reason for that is.

“An E-scooter is something called a mechanically propelled vehicle and effectively it becomes classified as a motor vehicle. You can only lawfully use a motor vehicle on the road if it fits certain criteria, and that would include it needing to be insured and taxed. It will need to have passed certain safety testing regimes set by the Department of Transport and as there is no such regime, as a result it is unlawful to use E-scooters on a public road.”

When questioned about what the police are doing about them being ridden in dangerous ways in public Mr Hall replied: “Firstly, we recognise the danger both to the individual riding these scooters, and we have in Hertfordshire dealt with a handful of cases where people have come off these and of course quite significant injury to themselves, so that there's definitely a risk to the people riding these.

“But I think many members of the public would equally rightly identify the risk to other road users, or particularly pedestrians, and we've had some examples of injuries have been caused to members of the public by people riding E scooters as well. So we absolutely recognise the need to bear down on this where it is happening.

“Our broad approach is to look, to educate and encourage people to comply with the law in the first place. We think that has some benefits and is a reasonable policing response to this. We've also worked inside schools and colleges.

“We have certainly looked to target that advice into places where we know people are constantly using E scooters. This year so far we've seized 22 E scooters, last year it was over 30 and the year before that it was also 30. So we're seizing those sorts of numbers of these scooters and they are being disposed of.

“I think ultimately it needs further support from government legislation to really make it very clear what position is on the use of these E scooters.”

Following the meeting Mr Ash-Edwards said:

 

“I know that the illegal and dangerous use of e-scooters on pavements in town centres is a concern for many residents. Due to the way the police deal with this challenge, the public won’t always see the follow up and intervention at a later stage where there is evidence. The starting point is to educate people about the law, which is sensible, but I am pleased that this can also lead to enforcement and seizures where appropriate.”

 

Feb. A new home for Harpenden police officers

Harpenden’s neighbourhood policing team is moving to a new base in the town centre this month. The move will enhance joint working with the Town Council and ensure residents continue to benefit from a visible, accessible local police presence.

Hertfordshire Constabulary and the Police & Crime Commissioner’s Office have worked closely with Harpenden Town Council to co-locate the neighbourhood policing team at the Town Hall in Leyton Road. The move keeps officers at the heart of the community while supporting modern, efficient ways of working and better value for money for taxpayers.

District Neighbourhood Inspector Paul Caro said: “Moving to the Town Hall ensures our new hub remains in the town centre. 

“My team spend most of their shifts out and about engaging with the public and dealing with crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB). The new location will be a base for them to complete paperwork and make calls.”

He added: “We already work closely with the town council to deal with crime and ASB and being in the same building is a real positive, as shown by our co-location at St Albans Civic Centre district council offices.”

Police & Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards said: “This is a positive move to strengthen local policing in Harpenden, continue joint working with the Town Council and improve value for money for taxpayers. Neighbourhood policing officers will be based in Harpenden, engaging with the public, responding and solving crime and keeping the town and surrounding rural areas safe”.

Cllr Beth Fisher, Town Mayor of Harpenden, said “I am delighted that we’ve been able to work with the police to bring their team to the Town Hall, where they can remain close to the Harpenden community in our town centre location. We are committed to helping our communities feel safer and facilitating accessible services. Harpenden Town Council plays an active role in the partnership with local police and we are looking forward to continuing this work and addressing the concerns of local people.” Residents can contact their local officers directly at harpenden@herts.police.uk and make an appointment to see them. If you know the name of your local officer, you can email them directly using this format - first.surname@herts.police.uk

You can also contact your

officers via our website and

report incidents online

at www.herts.police.uk/report.

In an emergency,

always dial 999.

Are you looking for an independent property agent based in Harpenden who can help you find a home and guide you through the whole process from start to finish without any hassle?

Well, I met that unique person in Gail’s

just recently.

CAROLE BRATT is the agent you’ll be

hearing about here now. Carole has lived

in Harpenden for over 40 years and worked

in the property market for 30 years so she

knows the market inside out.

Finding a home is a laborious process.

Attending viewings and narrowing your

search from the mass of properties that

agents indiscriminately send you can be draining. Carole prizes herself on understanding a client brief so she will have a good idea about where the search is best focused.

She knows all the tricks of the trade estate agents will use in order to secure a higher price from buyers. Carole can negotiate on your behalf so a deal can be done quicker and with a better outcome. Having one person to deal with is a big bonus.

When it comes to selling Carole will devise a marketing strategy to reach the target market at a evidenced price to encourage potential buyers. She will attend viewings to check the suitability of buyers and most importantly, Close the Sale before taking actions on the necessary legal issues.

Having met Carole for the first time I found her friendly and easy manner made for an almost instant rapport. Her knowledge of Harpenden was quickly apparent delivered in a professional but modest style. A day or so after our meeting the Government announced changes for the Housing market on the long going issue of Gazumping.

I asked Carole for her comments:

The Government’s proposed housing reforms represent some of the most significant

changes the property sector has seen in years. Through my work with industry bodies and government forums, including RICS and MHCLG, I advised at a senior level and I have been closely involved in discussions around how policy changes translate into practical outcomes for buyers and sellers.

In markets such as Harpenden, success will depend on striking the right balance between housing delivery, market realities, professional standards and maintaining confidence throughout the buying and selling process.

There remains a considerable way to go before the detail is finalised, but reform is undoubtedly overdue. The current system is too often inefficient and frustrating for everyone involved in a transaction, from buyers and sellers to the professionals working to support them.

The challenge now is ensuring that

change delivers meaningful

improvements without creating

unintended consequences.

You can contact Carole on email:

carole@moveli, Instagram & Facebook:

@carolebrattproperty or

mobile: 07812 965363

(Right) Carole recently at The

Harpenden Collective.

JULY 16 St Albans And Dacorum Councils To Merge As New Unitary Authority

Hertfordshire will be divided into four new unitary authorities as part of Local Government Reorganisation, and St Albans will be merged with Dacorum under the new structure.

The Government initiative will replace the current two-tier system of St Albans district council and Herts county council with unitary authorities by April 2028.

SADC’s preferred approach was for the county to be divided into West Herts (Dacorum, Hertsmere, St Albans, Three Rivers, Watford) and East Herts (Broxbourne, East Herts, North Herts, Stevenage, Welwyn Hatfield), but this was rejected in favour of four different authorities.

Local experts considered this to be the least likely option for the county, but ultimately the decision was outside their hands.

A new unitary authority of North West Hertfordshire will bring together the places currently served by Dacorum and SADC into a single council for the west of the county.

The new council will cover around 312,000 people – roughly the same size as a London borough – taking in Hemel Hempstead, St Albans, Harpenden, Berkhamsted and Tring, as well as the surrounding villages and countryside.

There will be 79 councillors representing 41 wards, with elections to a shadow council in May 2027 and the new authority going live in April 2028.

Mike Hobday, leader of the SADC Labour Group of councillors responded: “We are delighted at the Government’s decision to link St Albans and Dacorum Councils to form one of four new unitary councils in Hertfordshire.

“This is a long overdue change. At the moment, vital services are unnecessarily split between district and county councils. The district collects waste and tte county disposes of it. The district is responsible for parking, but the council owns the roads. The district provides housing for people in need, who get social care support provided by the county council. The new unitary councils will stop the frustrating confusion and buck-passing that inevitably takes place between the councils.

“Four unitaries is the right number for Hertfordshire. We need a council which is small enough to be local, but large enough to be efficient. Labour councillors supported this option as part of the debate at St Albans Council. And six out of 11 Hertfordshire councils supported this option.

“The merger of St Albans and Dacorum councils strikes the right balance. A larger unitary – such as one covering the whole of West Hertfordshire – would have felt very distant from local residents – just as the county council is now. The St Albans-Dacorum merger will provide a council that is aware of the aspirations and needs of local communities. 

“The proposal will also save money – it will reduce the numbers of councillors and council managers. Hertfordshire will move from 11 senior management teams down to four. We will also see financial efficiencies as the merged councils start to work together. 

“St Albans will benefit from the knowledge and expertise that Dacorum officers and transferred county council officers will bring – and likewise Dacorum will benefit from St Albans’ capabilities.

Aug 8.  NEW SEASON FOOTBALL - AROUND THE LOCAL TEAMS.

SATURDAY 8TH AUGUST FA CUP EXTRA  PRELIMINARY ROUND.

HARPENDEN TOWN  1  HAYES & YEADING UNITED    3     HT 0-2.

HARPENDEN TOWN WERE AT HOME TO HAYES & YEADING IN THE EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND OF THE FA CUP AND BY FULL TIME SAW THE HARPS LOSE 3-1 TO A STEP 4 TEAM BUT NOT WITHOUT A FIGHT. BEN PURCELL GOT THE VISITORS ROLLING EARLY ON WITH A SWEEPING EFFORT FROM THE EDGE OF THE BOX INTO THE TOP CORNER . UNITED CONTINUED TO PRESS AND WERE REWARDED WITH SECOND GOAL AS CAPTAIN HARRY GRANT'S ACROBATIC VOLLEY FOUND THE NET AFTER THE THE HARPS KEEPER CONNOR FREEMAN COULD ONLY PARRY GIANNI CRICHLOW'S SHOT. AFTER HALF TIME HARPENDEN TRIED TO HIT BACK AND BOTH HENRY JONES AND JON CLEMENTS WENT CLOSE BUT THEN HAYES STRUCK AGAIN TO MAKE IT 3-0.

HAYES KEEPER RHYS FOSTER FOUND AMARI FASHANU DEEP IN HARPS TERRITORY AND HE PLAYED THE BALL TO THE OVERLAPPING KURTIS CUMBERBATCH WHO RIFLED THE BALL HOME FOR GOAL NUMBER THREE. ON 79 MINUTES HARPENDEN WON A PENALTY WHICH JON CLEMENTS DULY DESPATCHED WITH EASE TO MAKE THE FINAL SCORE 3-1 AND THEN IN THE FINAL MINUTE OF THE MATCH HAYES WENT DOWN TO 10 AFTER LOUIS ROGERS WAS SHOWN A STRAIGHT RED CARD.

TEAM: FREEMAN, BAILEY, PLOWRIGHT, KEENLEYSIDE, GOODMAN, DOOLAN, LEMBA, GREVILLE, CLEMENTS, JONES, WHITE. SUBS PLAYED; ANDIC, McDONALD, ORLANDA-YOUNG, MAYAH, PINKHAM. DID NOT PLAY; FROST.

INFORMATION TAKEN FROM THE SUNDAY NON-LEAGUE PAPER .

TERRY EDWARDS.   

PHOTOS BELOW BY FREDDIE CLARK

Harpenden Society Awards 2025      July 27th 2026.

Presentations to worthy winners of the Harpenden Society 2025 Awards commenced last week with :

Letter Of Commendation to Harpenden resident Sue Hobley,

In recognition of, more than 40 years' volunteer working for Harpenden & District Macmillan Cancer Support, as as active member of the charity's committee, for most of that time as its chairman.

You were one of the original trustees for the Runcie Day Care Hospice, now known as the Rennie Grove Peace Hospice, helping raise funds for the hospice's Macmillan Building. 

You have combined charity work with enthusiastic interest in gardening, having run the Grove House garden volunteer teams for 25 years. It should be added that, appropriately, in a horticultural connection, you ran a wedding flower business from home for some 50 years. Other charities in which you  has been involved, in the 54 years since you and your  husband Jim moved to Harpenden, include the Children's Society, the Natural Childbirth Trust and the Open Door mental health charity.

Pictured with Awards secretary Ron Taylor in her beautiful garden.

Also presented with a Letter Of Commendation to Harpenden resident was Mike Hodge.

In recognition of more than two decades of outstanding fundraising and service to the local community. Through golf events, musical performances, busking, leadership roles and voluntary work, you have raised in excess of £300,000 for a wide range of charities, always with a smile on your face and a kind word for others.

Having established your successful business in Harpenden in 1992, you ran it for 25 years, providing employment for many local residents. Throughout that time, you combined your professional achievements with a selfless commitment to supporting your community, giving generously of both your time and energy.

The scale of the funds you have raised, together with the countless hours you have devoted to so many worthy causes with the unfailing support of your wife Sarah, is truly remarkable. The positive impact you have made on the lives of local residents and their families will be felt for many years to come. Please keep bringing us sunshine!

Pictured with Awards secretary Ron Taylor in their beautiful garden.

And a presentation of a Certificate of Merit to Harpenden based ARTICHOKE BAKE & MORE

In recognition of how your business has transformed the previous Schoolwear shop into a full service retail bakery with a coffee bar. Not just a regular bakery, but one that makes breads to their own recipes and bakes them daily on the premises. Plus a range of their own pastries, cakes and desserts that are unique in flavour and freshness. Perfect for your home or to enjoy inside and out with a coffee made by their own barista or a chilled drink. ARTICHOKE BAKE AND MORE have made a positive impact to the retail trade in Leyton road.

Artichoke owner Seda (right) pictured with Aysegul (left) and Awards secretary Ron Taylor. 

Further presentations  for the Plaque and another Letter of Commendation will take place during August

                    AROUND THE LOCAL FOOTBALL SCENE.

WITHAM TOWN      2       COLNEY HEATH     1        HT 0-0.         FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND SATURDAY AUGUST 8TH 2026.

COLNEY HEATH TRAVELLED TO STEP FOUR CLUB WITHAM TOWN IN ESSEX TO PLAY IN THE EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND OF THE FA CUP AND AT HALF TIME THE SCORE REMAINED AT 0-0 AFTER A GREAT DISPLAY FROM THE TRAVELLING MAGPIES. EARLY ON IN THE MATCH A DANGEROUS FREE KICK FROM WILL ANDIYAPAN WAS CLEARED AWAY FROM INSIDE THE SIX YARD BOX BY RYAN MALLETT AND THEN ANDIYAPAN HAD A LOW STRIKE GO NARROWLY WIDE WHILST ALEX STRAZZA SAW HIS LOW CROSS WHICH HE SWEPT LOW ACROSS THE BOX HACKED CLEAR BY HARRY HAYSOM AS THE MAGPIES PRESSED. IT WAS NOT ALL ONE WAY THOUGH AS WITHAM BROKE CLEAR THROUGH FREDERICK KING AND THANK GOODNESS HE SHOT WIDE OF THE MAGPIES LEFT UPRIGHT.

THEN THE MAGPIES WIN A CORNER KICK WHICH ANDIYAPAN CURLED INTO THE BOX AND OLLIE SEEBY'S DIVING HEADER WAS WELL SAVED ON THE LINE BY HARRY FAIRS AND THEN PLAY SWITCH TO THE OTHER END AND GABE CAMPBELL EFFORT WAS QUICKLY SMOTHERED BY KEEPER RENELL McKENZIE-LYLE. THEN COLNEY HEATH SHOULD HAVE HAD A PENALTY AFTER DAVID EMILOJU WAS BROUGHT DOWN JUST INSIDE THE BOX BUT IT WAS NOT GIVEN WHICH CONTINUED TO BE THE THEME THROUGHOUT THE MATCH.

ANDIYAPAN SHOT JUST OVER AFTER BEING SET UP BY SACHON EDWARDS WHO THEN SHOT JUST WIDE AFTER A FINE RUN WHILST GEORGE SMALL HEADED JUST OVER FOLLOWING YET ANOTHER GOOD CORNER BY ANDIYAPAN AND SO DESPITE ALL THE PRESSURE AND SOME GOOD FOOTBALL FROM THE MAGPIES AGAINST A STEP FOUR TEAM THE SCORE REMAINED AT 0-0 AT THE BREAK.

IN THE SECOND HALF THE HOME SIDE CAME RIGHT BACK INTO THE MATCH AND TOOK THE LEAD WHEN ON 56 MINUTES WHEN A SHOT FROM SAMUEL BANTICK SOMEHOW SLIPPED THROUGH THE HANDS OF THE MAGPIES KEEPER RENELL McKENZIE-LYLE TO MAKE IT 1-0 TO WITHAM. JUST BEFORE THIS GOAL ONCE AGAIN THE MAGPIES WERE DENIED A PENALTY AFTER WILL ANDIYAPAN WAS TRIPPED INSIDE THE BOX FOLLOWING A GOOD RUN TOWARDS GOAL, SO YOU COULD SEE IT WAS JUST GOING TO BE HOW DAY.

AFTER CHANGING PLAYERS AND WITH NUMEROUS SUBS COMING ON FOR COLNEY HEATH THEY WERE REWARDED IN THE 80TH MINUTE WITH A WELL DESERVED EQUALISING GOAL AFTER CURTIS DIBLEY WAS BROUGHT DOWN JUST OUTSIDE THE BOX FOLLOWING A MAZY RUN TOWARDS GOAL. WILL ANDIYAPAN STEPPED TO TAKE THE KICK AND DRILLED IT LOW AND HARD INTO THE BOTTOM LEFT CORNER GIVING HARRY FAIRS NO CHANCE TO MAKE A SAVE TO MAKE IT 1-1, GAME ON.

BUT WAIT IT WAS NOT TO BE AS FOLLOWING A QUICK BREAK TWO MINUTES LATER SAW SAMUEL BANTICK SCORE HIS SECOND GOAL OF THE MATCH FOR WITHAM WITH A LOW STRIKE INTO THE FAR LEFT CORNER MAKING THE THE FINAL SCORE 2-1 TO THE WITHAM AND IN DOING SO SAW IT BREAK THE HEARTS OF THE YOUNG MAGPIES TEAM. STILL THEY WERE NOT GIVING UP HOPE AND THEY VERY NEARLY SNATCHED ANOTHER EQUALISING GOAL AT THE DEATH WHEN NEW SIGNING RANDY BULAKIO PLAYED THE BALL THROUGH TO WILL ANDIYAPAN BUT HIS LOB SHOT WAS WELL SAVED BY THE WITHAM KEEPER HARRY FAIRS TO END THE MATCH 2-1 TO THE HOSTS.

TEAM: McKENZIE-LYLE, STRAZZA, SHAHIDI, SEEBY, WILLIAMS, J. EJJAYHA, SMALL, S. EJJAYHA, EDWARDS, ANDIYAPAN, EMILOJU. SUBS PLAYED: DIBLEY, O'HARE, JONES, BULAKIO, HAJOUSMAN.  DID NOT PLAY. ILLINGWORTH-EAMES, NZONZA.

FOOTNOTE: ON WITHAM'S TWITTER PAGE IT SAID THEY WERE PLAYING LCFC1907 AT HOME WHICH IS LONDON COLNEY FC.

LONDON COLNEY PLAYED ANOTHER FRIENDLY BEFORE THEIR SEASON STARTS SOON AND THEY WERE AWAY TO FAIRLOP ROVERS WHICH THEY DREW 1-1 WITH A GOAL FROM MICHAEL WILLIAMS.

TERRY EDWARDS.    FOOTBALL AS IT'S MEANT TO BE.

Aug 6. Harpenden Photographic Society Announces

members’ success at 37th Photography Competition Exhibition at Lauderdale House

Two members of Harpenden Photographic Society (above) have achieved success in Lauderdale House's 37th Photography Competition, with their winning entries now on display at the renowned Tudor house in Waterlow Park, North London.

HPS member James Singler ARPS, an accomplished freelance photographer, writer and local school teacher, won the Open Category. He was then awarded overall winner and has won his own exhibition at the venue next year.

Tender and understated, his winning image BREAK FROM THE SHOP was taken within the streets of San Cristobal.(below left)

"Curiosity plays an important part in the creation of my work," he said at the award ceremony. "Being able to look for and see a story unfold allows me to meet fascinating people in different parts of the world. Travelling across Mexico created a huge portfolio of work for me."

This autumn's RPS Travelog magazine will feature James's work on Oaxaca's July festival, the Guelaguetza - an honour that will further his recognition within the freelance photography field.

HPS member Helen Ogleby was runner-up in the Cherished Memories Category with her image STRONGMAN FAMILY. (Above right)

Helen commented:

"I was introduced to Lauderdale House by a family friend who wanted to see my images hanging on the wall at their local gallery. Entering their competition has helped me build confidence and is a highlight of my summer."

The winning photographs from James and Helen will continue to be part of the Lauderdale House photographic exhibition in Highgate until 24th August, on display in the Lower Gallery during gallery opening times.

Click back to the Front Page

My wife and I were privileged to have a private viewing of the panels in February this year. They are incredibly beautiful and still in remarkable condition for their age.

A single image can change the face of History

Portrait imagery was the key aspect of the programme. Images whether painted or photographed could have an incredibly powerful influence on the population. Examples featuring Winston Churchill, Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria, and Margaret Thatcher were used to demonstrate this power. Clever or deceptive dependent on your personal position.

Saving the Cottages for the Nation

The current owner, Ms Murphy, from Hertford, explained that she and business partner Alison Wright bought two adjoining cottages, which house the mural between them, specifically to find a way for the paintings to be brought into public ownership.

"The panels should be in the care of the nation - we are committed to finding a way of doing it."

"They are so rare that the paintings must be preserved for both present and future generations, as a sign of those past beliefs and turbulent times," he said.

"We have been pursuing this aim for a number of years and have now launched a public appeal as the only way to preserve them for posterity."

The owner added that if the money couldn't be raised, they would have to apply for a change of use to residential.

Hopefully Simon Schama’s programme will awaken the local Herts authorities to take action now.

Ron Taylor. Editor. Harpendia.com

Hemel’s hidden treasure featured by Simon Schama on BBC TV’s ‘The Face of Britain’

Simon Schama visited Piccott’s End Cottages to show an important aspect of the history of British portraiture, revealing some beautiful and compelling images that demonstrate their eternal power.

Defacing religious paintings

The cottages in Hemel were a resting place for Pilgrims on their journey from Ashridge to nearby St Albans Abbey in the 1530’s. The interior wall panels had been painted extensively with religious murals reflecting imagery of the Christ, the Virgin Mary, and Saints. Scenes include Jesus's baptism, St Catherine of Alexandria, St Peter and St Margaret. During the Reformation the faces of Jesus, Mary and the Saints were obliterated (defaced- see below) to make the images powerless in the sight of anyone who visited the cottages. At some time post Reformation the panels were covered by linen and NOT seen again until 1953.

September, Local journalist Charlotte Bateman investigates Charity Shops in Harpenden