A manager, who oversees a Kings Langley pub recently ransacked by thieves, has criticised police for their “poor response time” to the crime.

Between midnight Friday, November 4 and Saturday, November 5, thieves broke into The Old Palace Pub, in Langley Hill, through a rear window.

According to pub manager Kelly Brown, they stole thousands of pounds from the premises, removed the till, the safe, alcohol, an iPod and smashed glasses.

The 31-year-old said: “The landlord’s wife called on Friday night to say that the alarm in the pub had been triggered.

“At first we thought perhaps it had been set incorrectly. But when I looked in, I couldn’t believe my eyes.

“The back window had been completely smashed in, the door damaged and there were broken glasses everywhere.

“The till had been taken and the safe, weighing more than a tonne had been removed.

“All the cash, between £2,500 and £3,000 was also gone.”

According to Ms Brown, she reported the theft to police at about 1.30am, but they did not arrive until 4.30am, followed by forensics later at 8am.

Ms Brown, who has been overseeing the pub for a year, said that this was not the first time thieves have attempted to burgle the pub.

She said: “In the past few months we’ve had a few break-ins, all of which were reported to the police.

“But as far as we are concerned there has been no real action from officers, they’ve not even told us if they have any leads.

“Insurance will only go so far and we lost business because we had to close for a day.

“Kings Langley used to be a nice pleasant village for families. It doesn’t seem that’s the case anymore.

“I’d like the police to be a bit more pro-active. And as for the thieves, try getting a job and not stealing other people’s hard-earned cash.”

In recent months there has been a spate of burglaries in the village, with thieves targeting Langley Fish Bar, Mooch and Munch and the village post office.

Olivia Finucane, Hertfordshire Police representative, said it was “regrettable” that officers were unable to attend the Old Palace Public House immediately, but the delay was due to other critical incidents and emergencies at the time the crime was reported.

She said: “We attended the scene at the first available opportunity and spoke with the victims.

“This is the second report of a burglary at these premises in the past fortnight - we attended the premises on October 22 where we also carried out forensic examinations and have offered support and crime prevention advice to the victim.

“Both burglaries are being thoroughly investigated and are live investigations. “In line with our investigations policy, we make sure that victims are regularly updated.

“We would like to reassure the victim in this case, and members of the public that we are conducting a thorough investigation into these incidents and are determined to bring those responsible to justice.”