Police are appealing for witnesses after a dog was stolen from a teenage boy in Colney Heath.

Hertfordshire Constabulary said the 16-year-old also had his mobile phone taken during the incident, which occurred in Hall Gardens at just gone 9pm on Wednesday, September 10.

The victim had been walking his dog along the road when the offender approached him and took his mobile.

In his attempts to get away the offender got caught in the dog lead and so picked up the dog and took it with him. He went to a car parked nearby; a white BMW 1 series, where two other males were waiting and they drove off.

The dog is a two year old Shih Tzu crossed with a Cavalier King Charles and is called Max. He is brown and white.

The suspect who took the dog is described as a white male aged around 16 or 17 years old who was of an average build and around 5ft 10ins tall. He had short shaven dark hair and was wearing a dark coloured tracksuit.

PC Ben Mann is investigating and said: “The family are extremely upset about the theft of their dog and would like to see him returned home safe and well as soon as possible.

“I would urge anyone with any information about who is responsible for this crime or where the dog may be now to contact me with information immediately.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Mann via the Herts Police non-emergency number 101 quoting crime reference number F3/14/1258. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, you could be entitled to a reward.