Two men have been arrested and charged with multiple offences after covert patrols.

Operation Scorpion Officers from St Albans were carrying out unmarked patrols in the New Green area on March 30, when two men who had been acting suspiciously allegedly made off from officers and got into a stolen vehicle.

After a short pursuit officers lost sight of the vehicle, which was later found abandoned and on fire in Beaumont Avenue.

Following an extensive search and with assistance by colleagues from Bedfordshire, two men were arrested on their way to Luton.

Jim Delaney, aged 19 from Croft Avenue, Manchester, and Thomas Delaney, aged 19 from Bilberry Road, Coventry, are charged with burglary, aggravated vehicle taking –driving without consent and proceeds of crime. They have been remanded in custody and will appear before St Albans Crown Court on April 15.

Detective Sergeant, Scott Curran from St Albans Operation Scorpion Team, said: “I’d like to thank the members of the public that assisted us in our searches.

"Calls from members of the public really can assist us and we are grateful to those who helped."