Three charged in connection with attempted murder in Watford

Dear Resident

Three people have been charged in connection with an attempted murder investigation in Watford.

On Sunday evening (12 October), a 34-year-old man was allegedly attacked in Harwoods Recreation Ground, leaving him with several stab wounds. He was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition. 

Following an investigation led by officers from the Watford Criminal Investigation Department (CID), three teenagers have been charged with multiple offences:

A 16 year old male from Smethwick, near Birmingham, has been charged with:

A 16 year old male from Oldbury, near Birmingham, has been charged with:

A 17 year old male from Smethwick, near Birmingham, has been charged with:

All three males, who cannot be named for legal reasons, are scheduled to appear at Hatfield Remand Court today (Thursday 16 October).

In addition to the three people charged, police have arrested a fourth person in connection with their inquiry.

A 17 year old male from Smethwick, near Birmingham, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in the West Midlands yesterday (Wednesday 15 October). He is currently in police custody in Hertfordshire.

Detective Inspector Chris Parperi, who leads Watford CID, said: “This has been, and continues to be, a fast-paced and complex investigation but we are pleased to have secured charges for three people, and arrested a fourth. Our thoughts continue to be with the victim, whose condition remains serious, as we await the outcome of today’s court hearing.”

Yesterday (15 October) police confirmed they are treating the incident as a targeted attack, and that those involved in this incident are known to one another. Detectives continue to appeal to anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity near to Faraday Court on Franklin Avenue or Vicarage Road, next to the recreation ground, between 8pm and 8.30pm.

Were you walking or driving in these locations between those times on Sunday (12 October)? If you have any information, even if you think it’s insignificant, or dash cam footage of note, then please get in touch as soon as possible, quoting Operation Oolite.

You can do this online at herts.police.uk/report, by speaking to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or by calling 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 crimestoppers-uk.org.