There was delight at Hatfield Police Station as The Bunker - a new community engagement space and museum aimed at local schoolchildren - finally opened.
The Bunker has been created within the basement of the station, and showcases the fascinating aviation history of the building, which used to be the administration building and the senior staff canteen for the de Havilland Aircraft Company.
The museum was officially opened by Welwyn Hatfield Mayor Barbara Fitzsimon, alongside Chief Constable Charlie Hall and Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd.
Schoolchildren from Hatfield’s Countess Anne Primary School and Welwyn Garden City’s Swallow Dell Primary School also attended for a special look round The Bunker.
“I was thrilled to attend today and I am confident that The Bunker will be a fantastic tool for engaging with the public, especially local schoolchildren,” said Chief Constable Hall.
“The museum feeds into the constabulary’s Prevention First approach to policing whereby we tackle issues before they become problems.
“By instilling trust at an early age, we hope that children will grow up with the understanding that their local police are always there to help them.”
The idea for The Bunker was spawned back in 2019 by Welwyn Hatfield Chief Inspector Simon Mason, who recognised that the historical significance of Hatfield Police Station.
The museum includes photos, historical items, original film footage, dioramas and models, telling the story of the building from its origins in 1933, through to its current use.
“The Bunker is an exciting initiative and we hope that it brings together the local community,” added Welwyn Hatfield Chief Inspector Kash Hussain.
“I would like to give a special mention to PC Paddy Phelan and police support volunteer Alistair Hodgson who volunteered countless hours of their free time making The Bunker what it is. They were also joined by police support volunteer Debs Massey and sergeant Alex Smedley.
“I would also like to say a huge thank you to the Hertfordshire Constabulary Sports and Social Club who generously donated to the initiative and supported it from its inception.”
To find out more about The Bunker, visit www.hatfieldbunker.co.uk.
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