Plans for the installation of a Tardis-style police box in Watford town centre have been submitted.

The planning application the temporary structure has been added to the Watford Borough Council planning portal this week.

If approved, it would be installed between Metro Bank and the entrance to atria Watford at the High Street/Queen’s Road junction.

The area has apparently been identified as a “hotspot” for crime and anti-social behaviour, with regular reports of thefts and violent crime.

“The temporary installation of the police box is a part of a pilot project initiated by Hertfordshire Constabulary to reduce crime in hotspot areas,” the planning statement added.

“If proven successful, installation in additional locations and ‘permanent’ structures may be further explored.”

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Documents added that a 35 per cent reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour in the immediate area has been attributed to “a similar police box”, installed in Boscombe, Dorset.

Offenders apparently “would not know if there was a police officer inside the box and therefore would be less likely to carry out a crime”.