Appeal for information following robbery in Hemel Hempstead

Detectives are appealing for witnesses and information following a robbery in Hemel Hempstead.

The incident occurred sometime between 2.30am and 3.30am on Saturday 3 August.

A woman aged in her 20s was walking along Queensway when she was approached from behind near the junction with Cattsdell (pictured below). She was reportedly struck to the back of the legs, causing her to fall to the ground.

Her navy-coloured backpack, containing an iPhone and clothing items, was then pulled from her back before the suspect ran off along Cattsdell.

The male's ethnicity is unknown but he has been described as being around 5ft 10in tall and of slim build. He was wearing a baggy, dark coloured hooded top and dark coloured bottoms, with stripes down the outer sides (possibly Adidas branded).

Detective Constable Sarah Scanlon, from the Dacorum Local Crime Unit, said: “I understand news of this incident will cause concern among the local community. I’d like to reassure people that we are doing all we can to trace the suspect as quickly as possible.

“As part of our enquiries, I’m appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time and may have witnessed something to please get in touch. I appreciate it happened during the early hours, but that may mean that anyone acting suspiciously would have been more noticeable.

“If you were driving in the area at the time and have a dash cam fitted, please review it and contact us if you have captured something of note. Similarly, if you have a doorbell camera or CCTV system, we’d ask for these to be reviewed too. Any information, no matter how seemingly insignificant, could assist us as we look to progress our investigation.”

If you have information, please contact DC Scanlon by email.

You can also report information online, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference 41/64466/24.

Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form.

An image of the backpack can be viewed on the Primark website.