TWO young schoolgirls who vanished while playing hide-and-seek triggered a major operation to find them in the Bernards Heath area of St Albans at 3pm this afternoon (Tuesday). The pupils aged nine and 11, who are both boarders at Heathlands School for th

TWO young schoolgirls who vanished while playing hide-and-seek triggered a major operation to find them in the Bernards Heath area of St Albans at 3pm this afternoon (Tuesday).

The pupils aged nine and 11, who are both boarders at Heathlands School for the Deaf, hid behind a tree at break when it was time to go back inside the building.

They then left the school grounds in Heathlands Drive without permission and when they were missed the alarm was sounded and a full-scale search was mounted.

A helicopter was used in the hunt but the girls were eventually spotted not far from the school by a member of staff who had been helping the police in the search.

A spokesperson for the school said: "We never take any chances with children of this age and notified the police straightaway who were very helpful."

l THIEVES stole a cash box containing a large amount of money from a Harpenden bank on Tuesday night after following security staff into the building.

The robbery at the Abbey in the High Street was carried out by a gang at about 10.40pm. Though they threatened the security staff, no-one was hurt in the incident and no weapons were used.

Police appealing for witnesses and information about the robbery and have asked people to contact Pc Amy Palmer on 0845 3300222.

She said: "We are eager to speak to anyone who was in Harpenden town centre at the time who either saw the incident or anything suspicious around that time.