A CRIME spree in Harpenden in the early hours of Sunday (18) has prompted police to issue an appeal for witnesses and information.

The incidents all happened around the East Common area of the town and most occurred between 2am and 2.30am.

Two wing mirrors on a Jaguar were damaged while the car was left overnight at Harpenden Cricket Club and then between 2pm and 2.30pm, three plant pots were taken from an East Common house and smashed in the road, a pane of glass was smashed in a garden shed on Little Lane, light fittings on concrete pillars around an East Common house were damaged and a further three plant pots were smashed in the front garden of an East Common house.

In addition, the wooden picket fence of a house on East Common was damaged and pulled apart and a boy’s silver and yellow Claude Butler mountain bike with a black saddle was stolen from the front garden of an East Common property.

Pc Emma Collins from the Harpenden Neighbourhood Team said police believed all the crimes were linked and were carried out by a group of teenage boys.

She said: “Three boys were seen running away from the second incident, one wearing a sandy-coloured rucksack with string-like straps.

“They ran off towards Eastmoor Park and Little Lane. If anyone has seen any suspicious activity during, before or after the offences, or even thinks they can identify those responsible, I would urge them to contact me.”

She added: “Spates of damage like this are very unusual in Harpenden. This is petty, mindless vandalism that will not be tolerated in the town of Harpenden and anyone involved in such criminality will be dealt with robustly.”

Pc Collins said police would be increasing their high visibility and plain clothes patrols in the area and urged anyone with informaqtion to ring her on the non-emergency number 0845 33 00 222 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.