Man arrested as part of crackdown on crime in Hemel Hempstead

A man was arrested and a large quantity of suspected Class A drugs were seized as part of ongoing work to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in the Grovehill area of Hemel Hempstead.

Officers were conducting proactive patrols on Saturday evening (14 September) when they spotted a vehicle of interest near the shops in Henry Wells Square.

Upon noticing police, the vehicle made off, damaging several parked vehicles in the process. A pursuit ensued before the occupant decamped in Marchmont Green.

Following a short foot chase, a man was detained nearby.

Around 60 wraps of suspected crack and heroin were subsequently found inside the abandoned vehicle, along with more than £1,000 in cash and three mobile phones.

The man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, possession of criminal property, dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.

Quick-time enquiries then led to the search of an address in Enfield, where further cash and mobile phones were discovered, along with a flick knife.

The man has been released on conditional bail while enquiries continue.

Dacorum Chief Inspector Dave Skarratts said: “Over the past few weeks we’ve been carrying out targeted enforcement in the Grovehill area, as part of an ongoing project to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.

“We’re working alongside our partners and the local community to tackle issues in the long term and help increase feelings of safety.

“I want to send a strong message that we will be relentlessly targeting those we believe to be involved in criminal activity, causing them as much misery as they cause innocent members of the public.

“If you have any information which may assist us, please do not hesitate to report it. If you would prefer to pass information anonymously, you can do so via Crimestoppers.”

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. Always dial 999 in an emergency.

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