Hatfield Police Station Underground Museum Shows Off Local History

Grant Shapps, the local MP for Welwyn Hatfield, visited the underground museum ‘The Bunker’ at Hatfield Police Station.

During a recent constituency day, Mr Shapps was shown around the recently opened underground museum underneath Hatfield Police station. The idea for the museum was first thought of in 2019 by Simon Mason, Welwyn Hatfield’s Chief Inspector, after recognising that the historical significance of Hatfield Police Station (formerly the de Havilland Aircraft Company) needed highlighting.

Within the station, Mr Shapps was shown historical pictures and information about how Hatfield became the very first town to create jet engines with the de Haviland DH106 Comet prototype being the first such use of one of the Hatfield manufactured engines. Mr Shapps was also presented with a variety of historical pieces highlighting the history of the police station itself.

When asked about the museum Chief Inspector Kash Hussain commented: “The Bunker aims to build better relations between the police and the community and since it launched in November, we’ve had a huge number of people visit through our open days and work with local schools. Community engagement is a really important part of policing, and I am glad that the museum is bringing such joy to the local community.”

After his visit, Mr Shapps thanked the team at Hatfield Police Station for the tour and for taking the time to see him: “It is fantastic to see Hatfield Police Station showing off its interesting past and providing a place where members of the community can come and learn all about the Havilland Aircraft Company and the history Hertfordshire policing itself. I encourage all in my constituency to pay this wonderful museum a visit!”