Witness Appeal Following Burglary Offences in Berkhamsted

Living Magazines police car

Police are appealing for witnesses, information and dash cam footage following a burglary and an attempted burglary in the Berkhamsted area.

Between 7.30pm and 8.30pm on Wednesday 8 March, a property in Castle Hill was broken into and a search was carried out.

Enquiries are continuing to identify stolen items (crime reference 41/19561/23).

Moments after, officers were alerted that a second property, in Golf Club Road, Little Gaddesden, had been targeted. However, the offenders were disturbed and made off without gaining entry (crime reference 41/19686/23).

Detective Constable Natasha Gibbings, from the Dacorum Local Crime Unit, said: ‘Our enquiries are ongoing at this time, but we believe the two incidents are connected. I am appealing for anyone who may have been in the area at the time and witnessed any suspicious activity to please come forward.

‘I am also particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have been driving through the area, including around Ringshall Road, and has a dash cam fitted to their vehicle. Please check your footage as you may have captured something that could assist us with our investigation.

‘Anyone with information can contact me at Natasha.Gibbings@herts.police.uk.’

Hertfordshire Constabulary Crime Prevention Advice

  • Make your home less inviting to a burglar by closing and securely locking all windows and doors when you go out.
  • If you’re not home in the evenings use timer switches on lights to give the illusion someone is in.
  • Install dusk to dawn external lighting.
  • Consider installing a doorbell camera and monitored burglar alarm.
  • Keep keys and valuables secure and out of sight.
  • Ensure boundary fences are secure with side gates locked.
  • Keep tools and ladders in a locked shed as these items can be used against you to gain access to your property.
  • Secure bins at night and put garden furniture away for the winter as these can be used by burglars as climbing aids to gain access to upper floor windows.
  • Ensure your vehicle is locked and remove all valuables as burglars often check to see if doors are left unlocked.
  • If you notice anyone acting suspiciously in your neighbourhood, please report it to police (details below).
  • Join Hertfordshire’s Neighbourhood Watch for alerts and advice.

For more advice visit the Constabulary’s crime prevention pages.

You can report information online at herts.police.uk/report, speak to an operator in the Force Communications Room via online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or call the non-emergency number 101, quoting the relevant crime reference number above.

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.

To receive police messages about a range of topics including burglaries, scams and missing people in your local area, sign up to owl.co.uk/herts or download the ‘OWL crime alerts’ app from your app store.