A SHOP in School Mead, Abbots Langley, was targeted by thieves twice on Friday evening.

At 6.45pm, two males stole goods amounting to more than £40 from the convenience store, RR Vora, while the owner was in the rear of the shop.

The first offender was described as a white male, 5ft 8in, wearing a dark hooded top, dark trousers and white trainers. The other was also a white male with short hair, 5ft tall and wearing a dark top.

They made off with two bottles of whisky and four packets of cigarettes.

The second incident, which is being treated as a burglary and is not thought to be related to the earlier shoplifting, took place at 11.15pm, after the shop had closed.

The shop was broken into, causing damage, and alcohol, cigarettes and cash were stolen.

Police enquiries are currently ongoing.

The manager of RR Vora, whose store has been the victim of such attacks on numerous occasions, did not wish to comment.

Peter Scott, chairman of the nearby Hillside Residents Association, said something needs to be down to reduce the crime rate in School Mead, which has caused a number of shops to close down.

He said Abbots Langley has become a "forgotten village" and more policing is needed.

He said: "The youngsters hang about up there and residents are too scared to walk there in the evenings. The root of the problem is that young people have nowhere else to go and nothing to do."

Mr Scott believes a youth centre should be opened in the area where young people can meet.

He added: "Abbots Langley needs action, not just talk. Talk is cheap."