Three Rivers Police

02/11/2026

Your Neighbourhood Policing Team were out and about across Abbots Langley and Leavesden over the weekend.

PCSOs Redhead and Gomm clocked up around eight miles of foot patrols yesterday (Sunday 1 November), engaging with residents, providing reassurance and gathering useful intelligence.

The previous day, the pair had completed around five miles on foot and seven miles on cycle patrol between them.

There was lots of positive feedback from the community, local businesses and parents at the Junior Park Run who were pleased to see the team out and about; thank you to everyone who stopped to chat with us 😊

Is there an issue or concern you'd like to see your local officers focusing on? Tell us your views via our short survey - https://orlo.uk/oI1da

02/11/2026

🗣️ Free fraud and cybercrime advice sessions in Croxley Green

We're offering residents free fraud and cybercrime advice sessions at library.

The event, organised and delivered by specialist Cyber Protect officers from the Serious Fraud and Cyber Unit, is scheduled for Wednesday 4 November and will run between 10:45am and 2:30pm. These sessions, which will also have talks by officers from Hertfordshire County Council (HCC), are free and provide practical tips for avoiding the most common types of fraud and cybercrime. Free tea and biscuits are also provided.

11:00-12:00 Cyber crime & Fraud Prevention - Herts Police
12:00-1:00 Scams & Victim Support – Beacon Victim Care
2:00-2:00 Rogue Traders & Scams – HCC Trading Standards
2:00-2:15 Fraud against the Council – HCC fraud team

Detective Inspector Pete Hankins, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Serious Fraud and Cyber Unit, said: “Fraud and cybercrime are a constant threat, which has been increasing across the country over recent years. Criminals often prey on the elderly older people? and the vulnerable, many of whom prefer to talk to crime prevention experts in person, rather than accessing advice online.

“These sessions are completely free, so please come along during the times advertised. Our experts will be able to give you practical crime prevention advice, to help you avoid common scams and recognise new ones.”

For more tips on avoiding fraud visit: https://orlo.uk/lT0Ph or https://orlo.uk/ovLyU, where you can also find details of future events.

If you believe that you are a victim of fraud or cybercrime please contact Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040. If a crime is in progress call 999 immediately.

30/10/2026

Three people were arrested and a quantity of suspected stolen goods were recovered after police were alerted to a theft in Rickmansworth earlier this week.

Officers were on patrol around the High Street on Wednesday afternoon (28 October) when the call came in and immediately began searching the area.

Within a matter of minutes, three females – aged 23, 17 and 15 - had been arrested and taken into police custody.

Several items were seized and the case continues.

28/10/2026

We are releasing a CCTV image of someone we want to identify following a theft in Rickmansworth.

At around 8.55pm on Tuesday 27 October, items were taken from M&S in the High Street without payment.

Officers are releasing the image because the person pictured is believed to have been in the area at the time and may have information to assist the investigation.

If this is you, or you recognise this person, please email PC Gary Wallington via [email protected].

You can also report information online at https://orlo.uk/vGIST, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online chat at https://orlo.uk/gx61M or call the non-emergency number 101, quoting Auror reference e50296051.

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.

27/10/2026

⚠️ Advice issued to drivers following rise in thefts

Drivers are being advised to make sure their cars, vans and motorcycles are secure following an increase in vehicle thefts.

We’re advising drivers to make sure vehicles are locked up before leaving them unattended and to consider using a good quality steering wheel lock, which is a great deterrent.

If you have a keyless entry vehicle, use a signal blocking fob pouch (Faraday bag) and keep fobs and any spare keys in a metal box when not in use, so that criminals can’t use signal relay devices to unlock and start your vehicle remotely.

To minimise the chance of becoming a victim we offer the following advice:
• Lock your car whenever it is left unattended and keep it in a garage when parked at night if possible.
• When at home, keep your keyless car fob (and the spare) well away from the car.
• Put the keys in a screened or signal-blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag.
• Reprogramme your key fobs if you buy a second hand car.
• Turn off wireless signals on your fob when it's not being used.
• Never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running, even if you are only absent for a moment.
• Consider fitting CCTV covering your home and driveway, to help deter thieves.
• Use PIR or LED security lighting to make your vehicle more visible as this can also act as a deterrent.
• Always consider parking in a car park that has been accredited with the police approved “Park Mark” scheme.
• Noisy gravel on your drive can help deter a would-be thief, as they don’t want to alert you to their approach.
• Never leave valuable items or tools on display in your vehicle as this may encourage a thief to break in.
• For security products for your vehicles search the ‘accredited products’ page at https://orlo.uk/085BQ a police-approved website.

For more advice, please visit https://orlo.uk/N4Fpc

27/10/2026

🏠 Warning as burglars target rural homes

Burglars have been targeting larger, detached homes in rural and semi-rural parts of the county.

In many instances they have managed to gain entry to homes via upstairs windows, which are often left unlocked.

Making your home more secure is a good way to deter burglars and good home security begins outside the home.

🔒 Secure your garden
• Ensure rear fencing is in good condition to prevent easy access points.
• Ensure fencing is facing the correct way (Nice side facing out) as this prevents a climbing aid.
• Increase fence height if possible or install trellis.
• Plant defensive spiky plants along garden boundary (such as prickly hawthorn, pyracantha or berberis)
• Secure rear gates with high-quality locks and ensure they cannot be lifted off their hinges.
• Consider dusk to dawn lighting covering the property, side access routes and garden areas.
• Position CCTV cameras to cover rear gardens, patio doors, side gates and any areas offenders may use to gain access.
• Remove or secure ladders when not in use.
• Store bins away from walls and windows.
• Avoid leaving garden furniture beneath windows or balconies.

🔒 Secure your home

Inside the home there’s plenty of ways to make life difficult for burglars.

Residents should consider the following tips:
• Ensure first-floor windows are locked, even if slightly open.
• Adding defensive materials/anti-climb paint on flat roofs/drainpipes
• Install monitored alarm/CCTV systems or smart alarms with mobile phone notifications.
• Install a video doorbells camera
• Ask trusted neighbours to keep an eye on the property.
• Avoid advertising holidays or periods away on social media.
• Use timers on lighting to create the impression of occupancy when away.
• Smart lighting can provide a more realistic occupancy pattern.
• Keep jewellery and valuables out of sight.
• Do not keep large amounts of cash at home.

For more home security advice visit: https://orlo.uk/R4Vrd

26/10/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our crime prevention evening last week.

With the darker evenings now upon us and the festive season approaching, the session - hosted by representatives from the Neighbourhood Policing and Crime Prevention teams - provided an opportunity to share practical advice on protecting homes, securing vehicles, safeguarding valuables and staying safe.

Whilst we conduct regular patrols, we can’t be everywhere at once. But taking some simple steps could help make all the difference when it comes to deterring criminals.

A big thank you to Watford Rural Council for kindly allowing us to use their building to host the event.

If you were unable to attend, you can find a range of crime prevention on our website at https://orlo.uk/B7N2V

For details of upcoming events in your area, join Herts Connected for free at https://orlo.uk/HeZWi

23/10/2026

🪄🎃👇

23/10/2026

⚠️ Officers are continuing to appeal for the public's help to trace Shaun Hopkins. It is believed he is in the and areas.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

⚠️ We are appealing for the public’s help to trace a man who is .

Shaun Hopkins, aged 36, is wanted on recall to prison for failing to comply with the terms of his licence.

It is believed he is in the and areas.

See comments on how to report information 👇

22/10/2026

⚠️ Scam callers continue to impersonate police officers

Fraudsters are continuing to call residents posing as Hertfordshire Police officers.

The calls appear to come from a legitimate police number (01707 35 4000) which has been spoofed. The scammer often knows the name of the person they are calling and claims to be contacting them because their details have been stolen in a cyber-attack.

Several police forces have issued similar warnings about this type of scam in recent weeks, with fraudsters trying to obtain personal details or gain remote access to devices.

If you are called by someone claiming to be an Hertfordshire Police officer, ask for their name and warrant number, then end the call and dial 101 using a different phone and ask to speak to the officer with those credentials.

If you receive a message or call you are not expecting, you should be suspicious. The vital things to remember are that someone working for your bank, or the police would:

• NEVER ask for your bank account details or PIN, so do not disclose these to anyone, no matter who they claim to be.
• NEVER ask you to withdraw money or purchase high value items and send it to them via a courier, taxi or by any other means.
• NEVER ask you to send your bank cards, or any other personal property, to them via courier, taxi or by any other means.
• NEVER ask to remotely access your devices.

If you are not happy with a phone call or message and are suspicious of a conversation, end it and call 101 or report online via herts.police.uk/report. In an emergency or if a crime is in progress call 999 immediately.

Remember, when reporting a suspicious phone call to police, wait at least five minutes before attempting to make the call to ensure you’re not reconnected to the offender.

Alternatively, use a mobile phone or a neighbour’s phone or test your landline by phoning a friend or relative first, to ensure you aren’t still unwittingly connected to the offender.

If you have concerns about your bank account, visit your local branch.

How to protect yourself:

Remember to follow the above advice. In addition to this, some phone companies offer call screening services that can be effective in blocking marketing cold calls and bogus callers. Contact your phone company and ask about call screening and caller display services.

How can you help?

• Please share this information with your older relatives and friends: this crime has a devastating effect on people and we need to raise awareness to prevent further people becoming victims.
• Report any calls you believe are suspicious as we may be able to trace where the calls are originating from. Please remember to wait at least five minutes before calling police or use a mobile or neighbour’s phone.
• Report suspicious activity at cash points. If you see someone spending a long time at a cashpoint, using a number of different cards and have a hood up or their faces covered, contact police immediately. Often offenders will use cashpoints in the early hours.

For more advice and information about fraud visit: www.herts.police.uk/cyber-fraud.