Hemel Town FC showed signs of a return to form as Moussa Diarra pounced in injury time to salvage a point in a 1-1 draw at Frome Town.

After two defeats on the spin, the Tudors looked set to return from Frome with a third straight loss, until Diarra pounced in the 92nd minute to hand Dean Brennan’s side a valuable point.

The draw keeps second-placed Hemel within reach of Calor League Southern Premier Division leaders Chesham United.

Brennan felt his side should have won the game, but said there were plenty of positives to take from the display.

“I was disappointed we didn’t win the game because we dominated and our keeper only had to make one or two saves. We missed some guilt-edged chances,” he said.

“But we’ve had a bit of a nightmare few weeks so the positives to take from Saturday are that we played well and the lads coming back from injury got minutes under their belts.

“It was also pleasing to see that we kept going because from the sideline it looked like it wasn’t going to be our day.

“A few lads have had an opportunity to come into the side over the last few weeks and some have taken the chance, but some haven’t.”

The Tudors started brightly on Saturday and came close to breaking the deadlock through Charlie Mpi, before Jordan Parkes saw a rasping shot kept out by a super stop.

The second half started evenly, but it was Frome who broke the deadlock in the 58th minute when Rhys Baggridge converted from close range.

To their credit, the Tudors responded well and Mpi was somehow denied by an excellent triple save.

It looked as though the Tudors were set for a third consecutive loss, but Diarra was the hero for the visitors as he popped up in the second minute of stoppage time to bundle home Wilson Carvalho’s cross and rescue a point.

Actress Claire Skinner, star of the award-winning BBC sitcom Outnumbered, is to return to her native Hemel Hempstead to launch and take part in the sixth annual Santa Dash in aid of The Hospice of St Francis.

The former Cavendish School student, who plays beleaguered mum Sue Brockman in the popular family show, will don her Santa suit alongside hordes of fellow Santas for the charity’s festive fundraiser at Riverside on Sunday, December 15.

Poignantly, she’s doing it in memory of her close friend, Steve, who recently spent his final weeks in a hospice.

“Steve lived alone and for the last few weeks of his life, his local hospice provided invaluable support and care and gave him such a sense of peace that he visibly relaxed,” said mum-of-two, Claire, 48.

“Hospices are just amazing places that give so much in terms of care, help, love and support and I just want to show my support for what would be my local hospice if I still lived in Hemel Hempstead.”

Claire, who was born and brought up in Gadebridge and Boxmoor until she headed off to drama school aged 18, will be running the 2.5 mile route with the family dog Fred.

“We’ll be dashing as Santa and Rudi and I’m really looking forward to it,” said Claire, who now lives in north London with her director husband Charlie Palmer and sons Bill, 14, and Tom, 12.

“Fred’s very lively, even though he’s nine. He loves people so he’ll be very excited and of course he’ll be wearing a festive collar,” said Claire.

“The thought of all those people dressed up in Santa suits really tickles me, but the idea that all these people are doing it to raise money to help make a difference to the lives of people living with life-limiting illnesses and their families really strikes a chord.

“When you lose someone you love, you realise how important these places are. So all you Outnumbered fans out there, come on and dash for a fantastic cause. It’s just the kind of thing that Sue, Pete, Jake, Ben and Karen from Outnumbered would do.”

Open to all ages, the event starts at 10am at Riverside. Registration costs £15 for adults, £5 for children or £35 for the whole family and this includes your Santa suit or reindeer antlers.

Entrants are asked to raise as much as they can in sponsorship for the hospice and Outnumbered fans can sponsor Claire {http://www.justgiving.com/Claire-Skinner1|here}

The top fundraising family will win a family meal courtesy of sponsors The Red Lion at Water End. The top fundraising team will win a free sledging session and the top fundraiser will bag a free private lesson from The Snow Centre. There will be also be prizes for the school and business who enter the most Santas.

Register now {http://www.stfrancis.org.uk/santadash|by clicking here} or call 01442 869555.

Two Leavesden homes were raided by police cracking down on drug dealing early on Friday morning.

A warrant was executed by Three Rivers officers in Curtiss Drive at around 7am, where suspected class A and B drugs were seized.

An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a class A drug with intent to supply and has since been released on police bail.

At the same time in Cheshire Drive, another property was broken into by police and a 24-year-old woman was given a warning after a small amount of cannabis was discovered inside.

Three Rivers Chief Insp Catherine Akehurst said: “We are committed to tackling drug related crime in the district and will pursue anyone believed to be involved.”

Call 101 if you have information or suspect drug dealing may be taking place in your area.

A Hemel Hempstead flat has been shut down for three months after a series of drug raids on the property by the Herts force. {http://www.hemeltoday.co.uk/news/local/shutdown-of-council-owned-drugs-den-in-hemel-hempstead-provides-relief-for-victims-1-5699556|Click here for the full story.}

Hemel Storm moved to the top of National League Division One after beating Team Northumbria 71-61 on Saturday and seeing off Tees Valley Mohawks 83-59 the following day.

The clash with Northumbria was a tight affair, with the home team taking an early lead before Storm’s defence clamped down to give the visitors the half-time advantage.

Storm’s long range shooters then found their mark in the second half to forge an unassailable gap – Bode Adeluola led the way with 23 points, with Zak Wells netting 12 and Rodney Bryn-Hussey bagging 11.

On Sunday, Storm put in a tremendous team effort to contain Tees Valley’s danger men.

Hemel centre Wells was forced to leave the game early because of a back injury, but one of the best defensive spells of the season saw Tees Valley held to just five points in the second quarter.

The home team came back aggressively in the third and fourth periods as they slowly clawed back Storm’s lead, but the Hemel players held their nerve to see out the remainder of the game.

Storm’s dynamic lead guard Adeluola put on a scintillating offensive performance, with 41 points, seven rebounds, five assists and seven steals. Tom Adorian’s rugged and determined display notched 18 points and seven rebounds.

Storm head coach Steve Darlow said: “These two wins are a direct result of this squad’s work ethic.

“We are in no doubt that it is early days and there are many tough challenges ahead, but our character – our Storm pride – will mean we will confront these head-on and put in the best performances we can.”

Storm are at home on Saturday when they take on second-placed Newham NASSA at Sportspace at 7pm. They then travel to the unbeaten Essex Leopards on Sunday. For ticket information, please visit www.stormbasketball.net

The news that the Monty Python team are planning a reunion must have sent a shudder down the spine of whoever is responsible for looking after the good name of those blameless ladies who are members of Townswomen’s Guild branches up and down the country.

It was the Python crew who first held up the noble TG to ridicule, and their sketch showing a group of Sheffield matrons re-enacting the battle of Pearl Harbour in a muddy field is one of the troupe’s best known.

But they’re not the only ones – David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin Jr should be standing beside them in the dock.

They’re the writers behind a series of 10 comedies based around a Townswomen’s Guild drama group’s over-ambitious productions, and one of them is coming to Tring next month.

The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Drama Society’s Production of A Christmas Carol probably wins any competition for longest title staged at the Court Theatre, but it’s certainly not short on laughs as the ladies set about paying homage to the Dickens classic.

It’s a musical play within a play directed by Colin Bryer, who has updated the version he staged at The Court about 16 years ago.

He said: “All the cast play several parts and one thing is certain – you will never have seen a version quite like it.

“Our greatest hope is that everyone’s 2013 yuletide spirit will be glowing by the time they leave the theatre.”

The curtain goes up next Wednesday, December 4 and the show runs through until Saturday .

Tickets are priced from £7 to £12 and are available from the box office on 07543 560 478 or online at www.courttheatre.co.uk. You can also pick them up from Beechwood Fine Foods in 42 Frogmore Street (cash or cheque only).

Harpist Rachel Wick will join Hemel Hempstead Singers in a performance of Christmas music for choir and harp at the town’s St Mary’s Church.

The Sunday, December 8, concert, starting at 4pm, will include a selection of carols and songs by Benjamin Britten at the end of a year which marks the centenary of his birth. Refreshments will be served in the interval.

Tickets, at £10 each, are available from the choir secretary on 01442 386657, or on the door.

I’m a bloke, which apparently means I am a bit of a headache when it comes to Christmas pressies.

I disagree – my nearest and dearest can always refer to a standing list of books and music options, I’ll never turn my nose up at a decent bottle of malt or a classy red wine, and if they want to go off piste and surprise me they can knock themselves out, within reason.

They also know that anything created as a cute novelty and making reference to my age, my ability as a dad, beer, golf or football, or some cute catchphrase of the moment is as unwelcome as a selection of character-based socks.

And most of all they know to avoid vouchers of any kind.

My objection to the gift voucher get out is twofold – first, it puts the pressure on me to make a decision and I can do without that. Second, I usually forget to spend them before they’ve expired.

I’ll admit that the kids get cash and have done for years, but that’s not a cop out, it’s what they want – and it comes in nice crisp notes which are hidden around the house.

They have to work out some tricky treasure hunt clues to earn the loot, and they have even been known to co-operate as they race against time to get what’s theirs – didn’t I mention that if they haven’t found it by noon it goes back in my pocket? Oh, what larks.

But no vouchers for me, if you please.

From my hazy memories of years gone by, the only sort of gift voucher that I can recall from my youth was the sturdy book token, beloved of distant aunts.

Now you can get gift cards from just about every High Street shop or online retailer, including some you might never have considered as depositories of Yuletide largesse.

In the Dee household they still talk of the year that I joshingly bought her indoors an ironing board for Christmas.

We needed a new ironing board, so I just got one, wrapped it carefully in Santa-themed paper so that its shape was obvious for all to see, and stuck it under the tree.

It was a joke, there were lots of other proper gifts as well, but it’s fair to say that she was not amused and she has not forgotten.

That’s why I am not at all tempted to nip into my local branch of no nonsense bakery chain Greggs and invest in a gift card in her name.

Similarly, if I were to open a card on Christmas morning to find that I was entitled to a blowout of sausage rolls, steak bakes and sarnies I might struggle to see the funny side.

When I saw the cards waiting on the counter when I popped in for a coffee the other day I did something of a double take. Who would buy such a thing as a gift? Who would be happy to receive it?

Or do all the big brands in the food to go game offer this service? Surely it’s the last thing you need after Christmas – carte blanche to eat doughnuts until the card runs dry?

Zambian farmers, young mothers and orphans are all beneficiaries of a charity coffee morning at Northchurch Baptist Church this weekend.

The Wynaud Trust is hoping to raise money selling crafts from the village it supports Kabulamema.

A pianist will be on hand to accompany free tea, cofee and cakes while visitors are treated to updates on the Trust’s education, health and small business projects in the African nation.

“It’s an opportunity to give people a chance to look at what happens and find out more about what we do,” said organiser and trustee Nigel Brown.

He started the charity in 2009 with his wife Alison after visiting an orphange the church had supported for more than 40 years.

“There were such significant needs in the community we started a charity to increase standards of living help people set up small businesses,” he said.

The coffee morning is at Northchurch Baptist Church between 10am and 12pm on Saturday.

Around 100 daffodil bulbs were planted around Highfield to help ensure the area bursts into bloom next spring.

Volunteers turned out on Sunday armed with their trowels for the planting effort, which focussed on areas in Cattsdell and Allandale. Previously bulbs have been planted at the bottom of Cattsdell and around The Heights shops.

Councillor for the area Lloyd Harris said: “We all now have our fingers crossed hoping the bulbs will come up in spring.”

The TringRugby first team battled to a five-point victory over Thurrock despite playing the majority of the second half with 14 men.

Tring debutante Will Mitchell slotted three early penalties as Thurrock persistently infringed, but the visitors hit back at a five-yard scrum with an easy try.

Tring quickly returned the favour as Tom Newton went under the posts unopposed, before hooker Grant Wattleworth scored from close range following a five-yard line out.

Tring went into the break 21 -10 up but, just two minutes into the second half, Nick Radley received a second yellow card.

The next Tring attack left Sam Barnes with work to do but he danced round four defenders to score and relieve the pressure on his side.

Thurrock hit back with 14 unanswered points from Frankie Neale, but Tring halted the visitors’ momentum with a try from Laurence Tauasosi.

A Will Mitchell penalty put some much-needed space in the scoreline before Neale and Zak Michalski traded tries as Tring ran out 45-31 victors.

Next up for Tring is a trip to Basingstoke on Saturday, before they welcome Guernsey to Cow Lane on December 7.

Elsewhere, the TringRugby Academy progressed to the fourth round of the National Colts Cup after beating Bury St Edmunds 16-10 in a tough away fixture.

Two penalties from kicker Sam Masters gave Tring a 6-3 half-time lead, and they wrapped up the win after the break with tries from John Preston and Ed Ellson.

Leverstock Green Ladies made it eight straight wins as they beat Haringey Borough 5-0 thanks to a stunning hat-trick from star striker Giselle Subryan.

Levy started strongly and went ahead through flying winger Sapphire Kalinski after seven minutes, before Subryan doubled the advantage six minutes later.

It could have been four or five by the break but a second half flurry of goals saw Subryan add two more to her tally and strike partner Nic Hollick joined in on the act with a fine strike of her own.

It was another excellent display from Green, who have now scored 34 goals in their last six games.

Next up for Levy is an FA Cup first round clash with QPR Ladies at Pancake Lane on Sunday.

A young man has been injured after his motorcycle came off the road during the morning rush hour.

Police, paramedic and air ambulance assistance was provided for the man, in his early 20s, who had been riding a blue Yahama bike on New Park Drive, Hemel Hempstead, before crashing at around 8.20am.

There were no other vehicles involved in the incident. The man was taken to Watford General Hospital by land ambulance for further treatment after fears he had injured his neck.

Marcus Tower hit a hat-trick as VFC booked their place in the fourth round of the Herts FA Sunday Senior Cup.

Johnny Davis was also on target in a 4-1 win at Dun Cow.

Berko Tornadoes also made it through as Ryan Sturges, Chris Thomas, Sam Joliffe and Alex Bradley netted in a 4-0 triumph over MBDA.

AFC Boars edged past Oaks 2-1 with goals from James Davies and Ricky Parkins, but Park Rangers were knocked out of the competition as they lost 3-1 to Gadeside Rangers.

Elsewhere, Ben Butler was on fire in the Herts Intermediate Cup third round, bagging five goals in Leather Bottle’s 7-3 victory at Markyate Sunday. Struan Power and Aaron Lock also netted.

There was drama in the BSFL Intermediate Cup as ten-man Apsley saw off nine-man Three Tuns 5-2 thanks to Jack Wood (2), Chris Linsell, Ryan Rowe and Ollie Gurney.

Hemel Corinthians flew into the fourth round as Craig Sharples (2), Alex Thompson, Jamie Impey, Michael Dance, Chris Armorgie, Mikey Armorgie and an o/g earned an 8-1 win at FC Intervino.

RH Motors had Harry Crane and Louis Miller to thank for a 2-1 win over Echoes, while AC Grapes beat Berko Tornadoes Reserves as Steven Hewitt (2), Drew Duggan, Chris Gillard and Chris Wheals struck in a 5-2 success.

Also in cup action, a brace from Paul Brown was enough to send Olde Kings Arms through to the BSFL Junior Cup third round at the expense of The Old Bell Gate.

In the league, Division One side Doves United thrashed Old Grey Mare 6-0 with a Stefan Owen-Edwards hat-trick and strikes from Chad Pinching, Connor Deadman and Luke Teakle.

Josh Connolly (3) and Conor Diggin (2) shared the goals in The Bull Athletic’s 5-1 win at Robin Hood, and Comets drew 1-1 with Old Bell Gate.

Division Two saw Jam United beat The Midland 5-0 with goals from Luke Reynolds, James Lee, Scott Grimes, Nick Reynolds and Chris Steel.

Potten End Sunday beat Palace 3-0 in Division Three thanks to Shawn Hunter, Lee Owens and Ned Ozkasim, while Peter Canty (2) and Jamie Birch earned a 3-1 win for Adeyfield at Echoes Reserves. Park Rangers Reserves and Clarkwood drew 2-2.

Shaun Stevens bagged four goals for Division Four side Adeyfield Reserves in a 5-1 win at Old Bell Athletic and Neil Howell also scored.

Neil Hollick (3), Daley Thomas, Harry Connelly and Nick Payne were the scorers for AFC Old Bell Gate in a 6-1 victory at Hemel Athletic, and Greenacres II beat AC Grapes Reserves 3-2 thanks to Lee Strong, Mark Crampton and Bradley Walters.

Berko Athletic Reserves and Sporting Blackbirds drew 1-1.

Berkhamsted’s SSML Division One promotion hopes took a knock on Saturday when they dropped points at home for the first time this season in a 4-2 defeat to Holmer Green.

Berko took a 1-0 lead in at half-time, but some wayward finishing eventually proved costly as Holmer Green turned things around in the second half.

“We created so many chances in the first half but didn’t take them,” said Comrades manager Mick Vipond. “That was the difference.”

“We had a horror show in front of goal and then we didn’t create enough in the second half and didn’t defend well enough.

“We weren’t helped by the fact that two of our players pulled out of the game because of a birthday.

“I’m not criticising them because it’s just what young lads do these days – but it certainly affected the squad.

“We had to play players out of position and players who weren’t fully fit.”

Berkhamsted should have been out of sight after dominating possession and creating a number of clear-cut chances, but they only had one goal to show for their efforts at the interval.

Josh Chamberlain raided down the right and squared for the unmarked Connor Calcutt to open the scoring in the 14th minute.

Calcutt should have added to his tally either side of the break, and Berko were made to rue their missed chances when they conceded two goals in a minute around the hour mark.

Dean Allen has a good record against the Comrades and he pounced to level things up before Eliot Derby gave the visitors the lead moments later.

Vipond responded by bringing on Frankie Jowle, and soon afterwards a Chamberlain free-kick was met by a Berko player but the ball came back off the bar.

Things went from bad to worse for the visitors as Allen made it 3-1 from the penalty spot, but Chamberlain tapped in as Calcutt turned provider to bring it back to 3-2.

Berko threw on more forwards in a bid to salvage a point, but instead a weak header led to a cross that Allen converted for his hat-trick to make sure of the win for his side.

Berkhamsted had they chance to gain swift revenge, however, as they prepared to face Holmer Green in the Challenge Trophy at the time the Gazette went to press.

On Saturday, third-placed Berko travel to Hertford Town for a league clash.

Vipond added: “Looking at the positives, we are still third in the table and we are in four cup competitions so there is plenty still to play for.”

Junior golfer George Rocca had a two reasons to celebrate at Little Hay Golf Club on Saturday as he scored his first hole in one at the par-three fourth and clinched victory for his team.

George’s ace was scored while playing in an all-sections team for Little Hay’s Doughty Cup – with the result of the competition decided on count-back.

The team of Rocca, Ant Monger, Linda Reeve and Hugh McCowan came out on top ahead of Jackie Pearson, Robbie McIvor and Martin Evans who had to be content with second place.

Rocca, 13, lives in Chesham and has been playing golf at Little Hay since his father took him there at a very young age.

Last year he was selected for the Herts County Academy where he was coached by Lee Jordan, the PGA professional at Little Hay. He has now moved up to the county U14 squad .

Meanwhile, the Little Hay senior men held their trophy presentation on Thursday following the November Stableford competition.

The Summer Eclectic Trophy was won by Phil Joslin, the John Bidgeway Greensomes went to Percy Picton and Joslin, the Order of Merit winner was Eddie Theobald, and Frank Klimaszewski took the Three-Club Trophy.

In the Seniors’ Stableford, Division One was won by Tim Farrow with 40 points, and John Ridgewell came second with 39.

Division Two went to Chris Jarman with 37 points, ahead of runner-up Ron Goodfellow with 36.

West Herts League Premier Division side Tring Athletic A added three points to their tally as they saw off Croxley Community on Saturday.

Nathan Hoarder, Tom North and Glen Sizer were all on target in a 3-1 win.

Elsewhere, Hemel Rovers shared the spoils with high-flying Hadley A as Kai Lewis and Micky Hoare struck to earn a 2-2 draw.

Division Three outfit Potten End also split the points in a 3-3 draw with Hunton Bridge as Diego Dafonti notched a brace and Christian Wren popped up with a rare goal.

Tring Athletic B shared a 1-1 draw with Croxley Community Reserves but it was not good news for the rest of Dacorum sides as Hemel Rovers A slumped to an 8-0 loss at London Colney Blues and Gadebridge Reserves were thrashed 7-1 at home by JC United in the Rous Cup.

The worst result of the day came for Bovingdon who were beaten 9-1 at Wriggle Rovers – Harry Woods getting their consolation effort.

After last week’s unbeaten heroics, Berkhamstead & Hemel Hempstead Hockey Club came back down to earth with a bump at the weekend – winning three and losing five of their matches.

The good news is that the men’s first team continued their resurgence with a gutsy 3-2 win at Broxbourne.

Despite falling behind, it wasn’t long before Berko drew level through a neat Duncan Hodges scoop.

Simon Royal slammed in a short corner to give Berko the lead, but with just a few minutes to go Broxbourne levelled with a dubious penalty flick.

The visitors were not to be denied the win, though, and snatched the points courtesy of a deflected strike from Nigel Edwards.

The ladies’ second XI, meanwhile, beat promotion challengers Saffron Walden to climb up to second place in their league, and the ladies’ third side continued their winning ways with a 2-1 victory at Letchworth.

The seconds went in 0-0 at half-time, but got the job done with goals from Poppy Lloyd and Anna Macklin, while the thirds fought back from 1-0 down thanks to efforts from Patricia Steed and Becca Bowman.

Elsewhere, the ladies’ first team lost 3-1 to Stevenage, and the men’s seconds were beaten 3-1 by Blueharts.

The men’s thirds were edged out 5-4 by St Albans, while the fourths went down 6-2 to Blueharts and the fifths were thumped 7-0 by Stevenage.

Strong tackling and an excellent team spirit failed to maintain Camelot U13’s unbeaten record as they went down 21-5 in their first away league match at Finchley.

Camelot went behind after 10 minutes, but the boys persevered against a much more physical Finchley team.

Trailing 14-0 at half-time, the Camelot youngsters refused to let their heads drop and the forwards drove hard with some big tackles.

Under relentless pressure, the Finchley line was finally breached as a fantastic run by winger Jack Canning ended in a try for the visitors.

Finchley responded with another try of their own to wrap up the win, but the score was harsh on Camelot.

Next up for the Camelot young guns is a home friendly against Aylesbury at the weekend.

Players who fancy getting involved with the team and are currently school Year 8 should contact U13 team secretary Vikki Jolly at vikki.jolly@uk.bp.com or visit www.pitchero.com/clubs/camelotrugby

Meanwhile, the Camelot U10s continued their progress at the weekend as they comprehensively defeated Saracens U10s in a tri-fixture, which also featured Tring.

Tring and Saracens both brought two sides to Chaulden Lane to compete with the two Camelot teams in 10-minute, 8-a-side fixtures.

Camelot saw off Saracens in all four of the fixtures, racking up a total of 18 tries scored and just 4 conceded.

The matches against Tring were tighter affairs, with the visitors winning two and drawing two of their matches against their hosts.

It looked at one stage as though Tring might go the whole fixture without conceding a try, until late in the penultimate game when an intercepted pass and a power drive over the line earned Camelot a 2-2 draw.

Man of the match accolades for Camelot went to Byron Clarkson for excellent scrum-half work, and Conor East for some fine interceptions.

Top try scorers were Thomas Martin (5) and James Norman (3).

Camelot U10s are also on the lookout for new recruits, and anyone interested should email head coach Dave Martin at djmartin9@hotmail.com

The Hemel Hempstead Swimming Club youngsters brought home a number of medals as well as some coveted Passport to Counties 2014 Certificates after taking to the pool at the Hertfordshire Development Meet in Borehamwood.

The meet gives nine, 10 and 11-year-old swimmers the chance to qualify for the 2014 Hertfordshire County Swimming Championships, and a 25-strong contingent from Hemel certainly gave it their all.

In total, the young swimmers achieved seven county qualification times, as well as bagging four gold medals, four silvers and five bronzes. They also set 47 personal best times.

Nine-year-old Mason Mills clocked county times in the 200m IM, 200m breaststroke and 50m breaststroke, while Reuben Balch set a county time in the 200m freestyle and won gold in the 200m butterfly.

Isabelle Anderton, 11, hit a county time in the 200m IM and won gold in the 200m backstroke, with nine-year-old sister Millie Anderton bagging a county time in the 200m breaststroke.

Elinor Ferguson was a county qualifier in the 200m breaststroke, and medals went to Mattias Morse, Luke Pestaille, Miya McFarlane, Billie Grant, Harrison Mills, Jess Walters, Clara Stancombe and Emily Young.

Other swimmers who competed and produced PB times were Daniel Keates, Niall Marsden, Millie Herbert, Isabelle Warren, Maddie Horwood, Neil Brevern, Seyi Bankole, Lois Goad, Zara Rafiq-Craske, Michael Broner, Freddie Hockin and Joseph Coldwell.

Commuters were given leaflets and advice at Hemel Hempstead and Berkhamsted’s train stations on beating burglars.

PCSO from the Herts Police safer neighbourhood teams and Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators were there on Wednesday between 4pm and 7pm.

A total of 300 people were spoken to as part of the force’s drive to give householders simple tips on deterring thieves such as leaving a light on a timer.

Dacorum Chief Inspector Glen Channer said: “Although crime has reduced across Dacorum significantly since April and burglary has reduced by 21 per cent during the same period, we tend to experience higher levels of burglary during the autumn and winter months. That’s partly due to the darker afternoons, making it easier for a burglar to tell whether the house is unoccupied.

“These events are a great way to reach people whose houses are left unoccupied all day and into the early evening.”

Police will be at Apsley station on Tuesday, December 3, from 4pm to 7pm.