The boss of a van hire company in Garston said a quick police response after would-be thieves broke into the premises stopped the burglars getting away with anything.

Criminals smashed through a window at Watford Vans, in St Albans Road, at 1am on Tuesday, November 17, and began ransacking the showroom.

One tried to get into a classic Porsche, but boss Curtis Thornhill police were at the scene in less than five minutes of the alarm sounding, forcing the intruders to run away before they could take anything.

He said: “The alarms were triggered at around 1am. The alarm monitoring station alerted the police and their response was outstanding.

“The police arrived within five minutes of the alarm being triggered and because of that the criminals ran away empty handed.”

CCTV footage from the crime scene shows three men in hooded tops smashing into the showroom and kicking in the door to the main office.

One criminal appeared to have injured his lower leg while kicking out the glass in the showroom window, and another one could be seen about to get in a classic Porsche supercar.

A police dog team pursued the group down First Avenue where police believe they had a getaway vehicle waiting to make their escape.

A forensic analysis was carried out with the hope of matching DNA from the injured robber, and Hertfordshire Constabulary’s investigation is ongoing.

Mr Thornhill continued: “We hear a lot about police not having time to protect us or come out to investigate theft, but my first-hand experience of our local lads is totally the opposite and I can’t praise them highly enough.

“All our stock of 200 vehicles was undamaged and thanks to the police we were back in business serving the tradesmen of the area when we opened up later that morning.”

Police spokeswoman Natalie Dearman said officers are appealing for witnesses and information about the crime.

She said: “The offenders forced entry to the premises by smashing through the entrance door.

“Once inside they forced entry into an office and conducted an untidy search.

“The offenders then made off.

“Nothing was stolen but substantial damage was caused.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact police on the non-emergency number 101.