Riots Spread To Hertfordshire

8 August 2011, 10:57 | Updated: 8 August 2011, 11:53

Rioters have smashed their way into a jeweller's and two police cars have been damaged after violence seen in London spread to Hertfordshire.

Hertfordshire's police say they received several calls from the public from 9.50pm on Sunday 7 August 2011 to reports of groups of youths in Waltham Cross and Cheshunt.  Officers in high visibility clothing were deployed to the area.

During the course of the evening, rioters smashed their way into a jeweller's on Waltham Cross High Street and tried to get into another on the same road.  Two police cars were also damaged, but no officers of members of the public were injured.

Police say they were later able to disperse many of the troublemakers and restore order to the area.

This all came just twenty four hours after shops, flats, police cars and a double decker bus were set on fire during riots in Tottenham, Greater London on Saturday 6 August (pictured right).  Shops were also looted in trouble sparked by the death of a 29 year old man, shot by police two days before.

Waltham Cross and Cheshunt are, like Tottenham, on the A10 which runs into London from Hertfordshire.

Assistant Chief Constable Alison Roome-Gifford said: "The disturbances seen in Waltham Cross and Cheshunt are being linked to disturbances in London.
 
"Events such as these are unusual but understandably very unsettling for communities. Officers were out in force last night and groups were dealt with accordingly and order was restored.
 
"Investigations into crimes committed last night are ongoing. Hertfordshire is a safe county and I would like to send a strong message to those thinking of carrying out any further disturbances that offenders will be dealt with robustly. We are not prepared to let a small number of people cause disruption for other innocent members of our communities.
 
"At this stage there is no further intelligence to suggest there will be any problems tonight but we continue to monitor the situation working closely with colleagues in the Metropolitan Police Service.
 
"I would encourage members of the public to contact Hertfordshire Constabulary if you have any information which would assist in identifying troublemakers to contact us on the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively call Crimestoppers, an independent charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111. You could be entitled to a cash reward."