Four youths will face no punishment for stealing almost £2,000 of clothes from a Watford shop.

Three 16-year-olds and one 17-year-old were given a six-month conditional discharge at St Albans Magistrates' Court on February 21 after raiding atria Watford's Uniqlo atria in October.

Although the teenagers from Dagenham, Romford and Cricklewood in London pleaded guilty to stealing clothes worth £1988.60, they will not face any punishment unless they reoffend within the time period.

The court ordered they pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Watford Observer: The teenagers smashed their way out of the shop in the raid.The teenagers smashed their way out of the shop in the raid. (Image: Submitted)


At the time, Herts Police said Uniqlo staff locked the front doors as the group tried to steal from the shop on October 29.

The teens then “smashed” their way out before running off in different directions with a "large amount of clothes".

A photo from the day shows the glass front door lying broken on the floor on a toppled mannequin.

One shopper who was inside told the Watford Observer it was "very scary" and said the incident left onlookers in shock.

Police arrested five suspects within 45 minutes, which they said was "thanks to collaboration with atria security staff and Watford Borough Council’s CCTV operators.

A 16-year-old was arrested on Cassio Road, with another boy of the same age arrested in High Street.

Three more males, aged 18, 15 and 16, were all arrested at Watford Junction, half an hour after the alert.

The stolen clothing, worth £1,988.60, was recovered and taken back to the store.

At the time, Sergeant Brad Cross, who leads the Watford central safer neighbourhood team, said: “It’s worth noting that those who were arrested are not local, and we want to send a strong, clear message: if you think Watford is an easy target for retail theft, think again.”

Deputy mayor and portfolio holder for community, Cllr Aga Dychton, added: “The swift action taken against these individuals is a testament to our Community Safety Partnership, Safer Watford, and the collective effort of all of the dedicated individuals and team who are ensuring the welfare of our community."