A ring bought by the owner’s late grandmother was stolen and medical paperwork ripped up as a car was "trashed" in a theft.

Hertfordshire Constabulary confirmed they were called at 12.15pm on January 2 to a report of a theft from a motor vehicle on Fraser Crescent in Abbots Langley.

Items stolen included four adult River Island coats, two Next children coats, a Pandora ring and around £30 in cash.

The victim, Tiffany Wignall, said: “I feel awful to be honest and very upset that someone can steal from a car on my driveway where it should be safe.

“They ripped up all my daughter’s paperwork, who is autistic, all her doctor’s notes too, and even worse stole her and her sister's coats.”

A police spokesperson said: “The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday morning. The vehicle was not damaged."

Read more:

Mrs Wignall added that the car was “trashed” with the ripped up paperwork (including X-ray scans) strewn across the floor, packets of baby wipes emptied, and everything valuable stolen.

Watford Observer: Tiffany WignallTiffany Wignall (Image: Tiffany Wignall)

The mother of two young children said the ring had strong sentimental value to her and is now thinking about whether the “beautiful area” is no longer safe.

“I don't even think I want to live here anymore as I wonder what could be next,” she added.

“Will he break into my home and steal my things and scare my children?”

She also shared multiple CCTV images from around 4.20am to 4.40am which appear to show a teenager with their face covered passing the vehicle a number of times.

Watford Observer: CCTV footageCCTV footage (Image: Tiffany Wignall)

In November last year, Hertfordshire Constabulary was criticised after figures revealed the number of people charged in connection with vehicles being stolen in Hertfordshire. Just over 1,200 were stolen in a 12-month period - but only around 2 per cent led to charges.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Clawson responded that vehicle crime nationwide had risen and it was one of Herts Police’s main priorities.

Police have asked anyone with information to call 101 quoting ISR 235 of 2 January.