Police are trying to trace a group of men believed to be responsible for a spate of burglaries in St Albans over the past few weeks.

Two burglaries took place between 4.30pm and 4.50pm on Saturday afternoon (July 7), one in Whitecroft and one in High Street, London Colney.

There have been 10 other burglaries in St Albans between June 25 and July 3, mainly covering the Camp area and the city centre.

Police are trying to trace a team of around four white men in their late teens or early 20s wearing baseball caps and with a silver Audi A3. The men are believed to be responsible for the two latest burglaries and at least five which took place the weekend before.

Det Insp Alexandra Warwick said: “I am linking these burglaries to the five that occurred last weekend in the Camp and city centre.

“It seems that the method is that one of the men first knocks at the front door and then if no-one answers, they force their way into the property.

“In the London Colney offence the team forced their way in via the rear of the premises not expecting to see the male resident inside. They threatened the man before leaving empty-handed.

“I want to make residents aware of these men, described as white men wearing baseball caps with Irish accents in their late teens/early 20s.

“If someone of this description knocks on your door and asks for a person who does not live at the address or appears implausible as to why they are there please call police straight away. A silver Audi A3 is also seen in the area at the time of these burglaries, which is believed to be connected.

“We have stepped up proactive and covert police patrols and are working with other specialist departments to catch these men.”

With the continued hot weather, DI Warwick is advising residents to ensure their doors and windows are properly secured, and to ask a friend or a neighbour to keep an eye on their house while they are on holiday.

She said: “Unfortunately St Albans remains a target for burglars. In some cases, offenders have forced entry into premises, and some have been left insecure due to the heat.

“Historically we have seen an increase in burglaries across Hertfordshire in the summer months especially during the holiday season when people are away.”

Anyone who sees men matching the description of the suspects acting suspiciously in the neighbourhood should call 999, and anyone reporting retrospectively can call police on 101 or report online at www.herts.police.uk/Report