Committee Member Brenda Batchelor – A winner of Watford Community Housing’s Hamper for Heroes scheme.

The MRA is proud to announce that one of our Committee Members, Brenda Batchelor, was one of five winners of Watford Community Housing’s Hamper for Heroes scheme.

All the nominees were invited to attend an afternoon tea at Leavesden Green Community Centre where the winners were announced.

Brenda was recognised for all the great work she does in the local community.  Brenda is an active member of the Meriden Residents Association and runs regular coffee mornings on our behalf.  She recently volunteered to run the refreshments stand (single-handedly) for WCH’s Ladies’ Day event.

Well done to all the winners. You can read more about this at https://www.wcht.org.uk/…/honouring-unsung-heroes-in-the-l…/.

Meriden Policing Update – December 2018

A Policing Update by PC Mo Huzair

20th December 2018

The residents raised concerns about drugs in the area, and for months I have not been able to update you.  This is because we cannot comment on ongoing intelligence investigations as it would jeopardise any such investigation.  This is incredibly frustrating for everybody as I can’t publicly defend ourselves against any criticisms raised by the residents.  But now finally I am able to tell you what we’ve been doing about it!

In late summer we had sufficient information provided locally to progress an investigation into the supply of drugs around the Meriden.
We then had to put together an operational order, which plans out the operation, the methods and locations , making decisions about the necessity to investigate the crimes and the effects on the neighbourhood against the human rights of people who may be affected by such an operation.
We then worked with our partner teams in intervention and plain clothes units to further that intelligence and crack down on the low level dealers, which resulted in a number of arrests for supplying drugs.

I then had to go to a court and satisfy them that there was enough information to swear out warrants.  It was then a case of resourcing the warrants, which is quite a staff intensive job.
Then warrants were executed as part of that ongoing investigation.

This has been a tremendous success so far. 

Below is the press release which went out on 20th December 2018.

Police Press Release

20th December 2018

Further drug warrants in Watford

Police in Watford continued their crackdown on drug crime by carrying out further warrants in the town.

On Thursday 13th December, officers from the Safer Neighbourhood Team and Operation Scorpion unit, executed warrants under Police and criminal evidence act, at two addresses in the Meriden ward.

One man was arrested at an address in The Gossamers in connection with eight criminal damage offences, for which he was given a caution, and on suspicion of a drugs offence for which he remains under investigation at this time.  A small quantity of herbal cannabis was seized, along with cash and mobile phones.

No arrests were made at the second address in Garsmouth Way but a number of weapons were volunteered to police for destruction.

PC Mo Huzair, who led the operation, said: “These warrants were executed as part of an ongoing investigation into the supply of drugs in Watford, led by the local Safer Neighbourhood Team, with support from Operation Scorpion.

“We are regularly carrying out warrants to try and target those suspected of being involved in drug supply and associated criminality.  If you are, it’s only a matter of time before we catch up with you.

“Drugs can have a big impact on local communities as they are often the catalyst for more violent crime.  If you suspect drug crime in your neighbourhood, please continue to report it to police so we can build up an intelligence picture to enable us to take appropriate action.”

Anyone with information can contact the non-emergency number 101 or report information online at www.herts.police.uk/Report

Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

For over 30 years, Crimestoppers has always kept its promise of anonymity to everyone who contacts them.

Meriden Residents Association – Children’s Christmas Party 2018

Everyone had a great time at our Children’s Christmas Party at the Meriden Community Centre on Saturday 8th December.

We would like to say a massive thank you to Mulalley for sponsoring the MRA party, which enabled us to put the event on completely free of charge. 

Committee members Brenda, Steve and Marion with Danny as he handed over the cheque from Mulalley.

The MRA are very grateful to all the companies that supported us by providing gifts for the adult raffle.  We had some fantastic prizes from our local shops/companies and a bit further afield.

 Don from our local Meriden Fish Bar gave us a voucher to be used in the raffle.

Thank you to our local Co-op for donating mince pies for our Children’s Christmas Party. Thanks Ash!  


Suren from Sweets for All was very generous in donating a jar of sweets for our competition and also a voucher and sweets.


Everyone Active donated the tickets we asked for to their pantomime Cinderella, and also gave us two extra raffle prizes of free membership to the gym, classes and swimming. 

The many prizes we had in our adult raffle looked amazing all laid out.

We would also like to thank all the volunteers (just over 30) that came along to help at our Children’s Christmas Party.  Everyone worked so hard beforehand, during and after the party, and we couldn’t have managed without you. 

Below is a selection of photos taken during the party.  In no particular order! Enjoy!

Big thanks also to Tasha at the Meriden Community Centre for letting us have both halls free of charge.  This enabled us to invite people along that did not have children, for a free cuppa and mince pie, it was great to see so many people from the community there.