Appeal following burglary and criminal damage incidents in Gosmore/St Ippolyts

Dear Resident

Police are appealing for witnesses and information after reports of a burglary and criminal damage in North Herts.

It was reported that a black Mitsubishi Outlander was intentionally driven into the closed gate of a farm in Gosmore on Wednesday 19 August. No entry was gained (41/79705/26). The same evening, the vehicle also reportedly rammed a farm gate in St Ippolyts and caused damage to a field (41/79689/26). Both of these incidents took place between 5pm and 5.40pm. 

Police later received information that three garages were broken into, and attempts were made to enter a fourth, on Hitchin Road at around 9.50pm on the same day. Nothing was believed to have been taken. The offenders again used the black Mitsubishi Outlander (41/79647/26).

The Mitsubishi, which had been stolen from London, was found abandoned in Alfriston Close, Luton on Thursday 20 August by the Bedfordshire Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT). 

PC Craig Breen, of the Hitchin Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “I’d like to hear from anyone who has information about any of these incidents.

“I would also like to hear if you saw the black Mitsubishi Outlander in the Gosmore or St Ippolyts area last week? 

“It was distinctive as the front number plate was placed on the dashboard and not attached to the front of the vehicle, as shown in the photo. It also had a roof rack and may have had some damage.

“If you can help, the Hitchin Rural team can be contacted directly by email via Hitchin@herts.police.uk.”

You can also report information online at herts.police.uk/report, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or call the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference 41/79705/26, 41/79647/26 or 41/79689/26.

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