A MAN from Kings Langley has been fined for damaging a dentist's surgery in High Street.

Alastair Lewis, 20, of Belham Road, pleaded guilty last Thursday of causing criminal damage on Monday, October 15, and was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £40 compensation to the dentist and £35 costs.

Lewis was caught after he was spotted by Mr Steve Cox and Mr Alan Anderson, both members of Kings Langley Parish Council.

Mr Anderson said a police car drove past them while they were watching a suspect, even though they were on a mobile phone to the police at the time, it did not come back.

At a meeting of the council's planning committee last month, Mr Cox was critical of the police.

He told the meeting: "Unfortunately, my 999 call did not get the assistance I was expecting. The police could have made another one (arrest) and one could argue they should have done."

This week, Mr Cox refused to comment on the incident.

This week, Mr Anderson was also critical of the police. He added: "Normally, I would defend the police on principle but on this occasion things did go wrong. I would be grateful if they reviewed their procedures to make sure this does not happen again."

Chief Inspector Iain McVie said: "We would like to thank Mr Cox and Mr Anderson for their public spirited actions. The officers who drove past Mr Cox were on their way to assist in an arrest at another location.

"We are aware of Mr Cox's concerns and a community inspector will be contacting him to discuss them further."

November 1, 2001 16:38

Richard Evans