Renewed appeal for information following incident in Hemel Hempstead

Detectives are issuing a renewed appeal for information as part of continuing enquiries into an incident in Hemel Hempstead.

It was reported that a woman was walking along St John’s Road sometime between 4am and 4.20am on Thursday 11 January, when she was allegedly grabbed and verbally threatened to get into a vehicle.

She collapsed to the floor in fear and her handbag was stolen before the suspect left the area. The handbag was later found discarded in a bin on Parkwood Drive.

An investigation was launched by the Dacorum Local Crime Unit and a man was arrested on Thursday 18 January.

Enquiries into the incident are continuing and police are issuing a renewed appeal for information about a vehicle.

Investigator Lisa Brown said: “We’d like to thank everyone who has contacted us with information, your calls have made a difference.

“We’ve viewed footage from more than 50 CCTV systems as part of our enquiries so far, but we’re still appealing for further witnesses to come forward.

“We’d especially like to hear from anyone who may have seen a white Nissan Qashqai being driven around Hemel Hempstead between 2am and 7am on Thursday 11 January, particularly in the Boxmoor and Warners End/Long Chaulden areas.

“Did you see a vehicle of this description acting out of the ordinary or parking up anywhere? If so, please get in touch. Any information at all could greatly assist as we work to progress the case.”

You can 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 41/2784/24.

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

• A 54-year-old man from Edmonton was arrested on suspicion of attempted kidnap and robbery. He remains on conditional bail while enquiries continue.