Investigation launched following aggravated burglary in Watford

Detectives have launched an investigation into an aggravated burglary that occurred in Watford last night (Wednesday 11 October).

It happened in Berry Avenue between 8pm and 9pm when four people forced entry to the property via the front door and threatened the occupants – a woman aged in her 40s and a 16 year old boy – with a screwdriver. The teenage victim was hit across the face during the burglary but suffered no physical injuries.

The suspects demanded to know if there was any jewellery in the house and carried out a search of the property before leaving in a grey Range Rover Evoque. At this stage, it’s believed that nothing was stolen during the incident.

The suspects were described as all male, and they spoke with strong Irish accents.

Detective Sergeant Ayodeji Afolabi, from the Watford Local Crime Unit, said: “We are providing support to the victims as they recover from their ordeal, while we explore all avenues of enquiry.

“Scenes of Crime Officers are currently working at the address to secure all possible evidence, and we have already conducted house to house enquiries in the immediate area.

“We would be very keen to speak to anyone who may have seen a vehicle matching the description entering or leaving Berry Avenue last night.

“If you live in the vicinity of the area and have a doorbell camera or CCTV fitted to your property, we ask that you please check the footage captured between 7.30pm and 9pm yesterday evening and contact us if you believe you have recorded something of note.”

If you have information for police, report it online at herts.police.uk/report, via online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or by calling the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 41/81400/23.

Always dial 999 in an emergency or if a crime is in progress.

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

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