Two males have been arrested after a spate of thefts sparked a foot chase and woodland search with dogs.

Hertfordshire Constabulary made the arrests after five mobile phones were stolen and one attempted phone theft was reported in the area on May 17.

Every report involved similar circumstances as victims said their device was snatched out of their hands as two people rode past on a motorcycle.

Officers used tracking systems on the stolen phones to help them find a motorcycle matching victims’ descriptions in Courtlands Drive, Watford, and then arrested a man after a foot chase.

A rucksack nearby containing several mobile phones was recovered.

The force were then alerted to reports of two males acting suspiciously in Gammons Lane.

After an hour and a half of searching, with assistance from police dogs, the other male was tracked to woodland off Gammons Lane, where he was hidden, just after 8.40pm before being arrested.

Watford Observer: BCH Police DogsBCH Police Dogs (Image: BCH Police Dogs)

The pair have been released on police bail while the investigation continues.

Three of the mobile phone thefts were reported between 5.15pm and 5.45pm in London Road, High Street, and Batchworth Hill in Rickmansworth. Another was stolen in Abbots Langley High Street at around 6pm.

An attempted theft was then reported in Aldenham Road, Bushey, at around 6.25pm, before another phone was stolen in the same road at around 6.45pm.

Detective Inspector Dan Bhamra, from the Three Rivers Local Crime Unit, said: “This was a great result, utilising resources across multiple districts and units, and thanks to this teamwork within a number of hours from the first call coming in, we had two suspects in custody and multiple suspected stolen mobile phones seized.

“These will be returned to their respective owners.

“Our investigation continues at this time, and I would ask anyone with any information to please report it as soon as possible.”

Members of the public reported seeing a large police presence in multiple North Watford roads in the evening of May 17.

Police appealed for information about the thefts, which can be reported online or by calling 101, quoting ISR 733 of 17/05.