A car thief who threatened several drivers after his vehicle caught fire is still on the run over three weeks later as police have re-appealed for witnesses.

Hertfordshire Police are still searching for a white man in his 20s who was at the centre of a large manhunt on August 20, which forced the M1 to close between Watford and St Albans.

The suspect, described as having a slim build and wearing a dark coloured hoodie and shorts, reportedly stole a Ford Mondeo from Telford Road in London Colney at around 5.40pm. 

It was driven to the A405 North Orbital Road, just before the M1, where the car was abandoned after catching fire.

Officers shut the M1 between Watford and Hemel Hempstead for around an hour while they searched for the man in his 20s.Officers shut the M1 between Watford and Hemel Hempstead for around an hour while they searched for the man in his 20s. (Image: Cathy Payne) A man then left the vehicle and threatened several drivers before making off into undergrowth when officers arrived.

One driver claimed online that the suspect was "jumping in front of random cars trying to get in" after ditching his vehicle.

Multiple police officers and a dog unit searched the area with support from a helicopter but were unable to find the man.

Eyewitness Morgan Bowyer was on a bus on the A405 at the time and saw around 20 police cars by the M1 junction.

The entrances to the Waterdale Recycling Centre in Garston were also blocked off as officers searched nearby woodland.

Vehicles held on the M1 as officers combed the grassland.Vehicles were held on the M1 as officers combed the grassland. (Image: Kathryn Jeff)

The 20-year-old from Hertford said: “It was very surprising and when I saw how many police there were, I thought that it had to be serious. It installed a bit more fear in me.”

He added that the stolen black Ford Mondeo's bumper looked damaged as though it had been "rammed" as his bus passed the scene.

A police helicopter was called out to assist the search after the suspect ditched his vehicle on the A405.A police helicopter was called out to assist the search after the suspect ditched his vehicle on the A405. (Image: Kerri Rose Cupit) St Albans local crime unit Detective Inspector Adrian Lysak said: “Extensive enquiries have been carried out into this incident and specialist units are continuing their enquiries to trace the suspect.

“There have been no further reports of similar incidents occurring, or any information to suggest others remain at risk."

Police have appealed for witnesses to report information online at herts.police.uk/report or on 101, quoting crime reference 41/69357/24.