Glass was left shattered all over a café floor when its window was broken during a burglary.

Police were called at 12.20am on Sunday, August 20, to reports of a break-in at The Café in the Park at Rickmansworth Aquadrome.

Upon arrival, police found a woman inside the café after she broke in via a window.

Watch the video below filmed by Adrianna Dziewinska of the damage caused to the café's window. 

An ice cream van belonging to the café, which was parked nearby, was also found to have damage to its serving hatch window.

The woman, Lucy Elliot, 47, of Longcroft Road in Maple Cross, appeared at Hatfield Remand Court charged with burglary and criminal damage on Monday, August 21.  

She pleaded guilty to both charges and was released on conditional bail ahead of sentencing, which has been scheduled for Friday, September 29.

The manager of the café, Adrianna Dziewinska, said she was “disappointed in people” when she learnt of the break-in.  

She added: “I was so surprised it happened. How could someone be that cruel?”

Adrianna described how glass was all over the floor along with a broken plant plot and mud that she thinks was used to break the window.

Watford Observer: The manager Adrianna, said she thinks a plant pot was used to smash the window at the Café in the Park at Rickmansworth Aquadrome.The manager Adrianna, said she thinks a plant pot was used to smash the window at the Café in the Park at Rickmansworth Aquadrome. (Image: Adrianna Dziewinska)

The door has been blocked with wood until it can be repaired.

“Right now, we can’t sell ice cream because our van has been damaged too. We are losing money,” she said.

Watch the video below filmed by Adrianna Dziewinska of the damage caused to the ice cream van.

 

The break-in has caused a stir among the community.

Adrianna said: “All of the customers keep asking us what happened, and why we aren’t selling ice cream. We don’t know when the van will be fixed.”

Watford Observer: The Café in the Park at Rickmansworth Aquadrome was burgled on Sunday, August 20.The Café in the Park at Rickmansworth Aquadrome was burgled on Sunday, August 20. (Image: Cafe in the Park)

Detective Sergeant Darren Machin, from the Three Rivers local crime unit, said: “We’re aware that this incident attracted some comments on social media over the weekend as it affected a local business, so we’re pleased to share this outcome with the community.

“The person who called us did exactly the right thing by dialling 999, as it allowed officers to attend within a matter of minutes and arrest Elliot on the scene.

“It’s an important message: if you witness a crime in progress, always dial 999.”