Several cars have been stolen as offenders used adapted vans for daylight thefts in Hemel Hempstead.

Hertfordshire police confirmed this morning (Wednesday, February 21) that several reports for the east of the town had been received in recent weeks.

A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Constabulary said: "The thefts have occurred during daylight hours and involved cars being taken away by Transit flatbed or tipper-style vans, which have been adapted to rapidly lift and remove cars, by both the front and rear.

"The cars taken have been predominantly registered between 2004 and 2014, with many of them either SORN (registered as off the road) or with an expired MOT.

"We’re continuing to make enquiries into the thefts and would urge the public to please report any suspicious activity directly to the police control room straight away.

"If you see a Transit flatbed or tipper style van that is not displaying number plates or signwriting/livery, especially if it is towing an older car, please call 999 immediately.

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"We’d rather attend and make sure that everything is in order, than miss an opportunity to catch a potential criminal in the act."

Information can also be reported to Hertfordshire police online at www.herts.police.uk/ro/report or by calling the police's non-emergency number 101.

Anonymous information can be given by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.