A man from Watford has been charged after several expensive gardening tools were stolen from a vehicle.

At around 5.50pm on Wednesday (25 January), police were called by a member of the public saying they had confronted someone after their vehicle was broken into outside their address in Hagden Lane.

Officers attended and a man was detained at the scene and taken to police custody.

Several tools were recovered and returned to the victim.

Michael Curtis, 50, of Croxley View, has been charged with theft from a motor vehicle.

Safer Neighbourhood Team Inspector Matt Langley hailed the “vigilance” of the member of the public who called police so swiftly.

He added: “We would encourage you to always call 999 if you see someone acting suspiciously in the vicinity of your, or any other, vehicle.

“A crime could potentially be in progress and by calling 999 you are giving us the best possible chance to attend immediately and detain any suspects.”