Ambulance stolen from St Albans and found in London Colney

Dave Hawkins, 34, from London Colney, leads an independent ambulance service called MET Medical.

His ambulance was stolen last Sunday (March 8) between 10.29pm and 10.37pm from London Road, St Albans.

Mr Hawkins said he realised what had happened when he noticed there was a key but an ambulance missing.

He immediately checked his CCTV footage and saw two hooded people walking near his vehicle in an industrial estate late at night.

CCTV footage of the hooded people. Credit: Dave Hawkins.

Mr Hawkin's ambulances are used to provide the NHS with responses to 999 calls, non-emergency services for patients with appointments and is also used to transport private patients.

He said: "The ambulance is vital to our line of work at the moment, and the NHS who are under huge amounts of pressure so private companies are there to help at times of demands.

"Anything that impacts us impacts everyone."

Mr Hawkins set up a social media campaign online to see if anyone had any idea where his ambulance was.

He said he received a few messages and phone call which helped him track down the ambulance in Napsbury Park in London Colney.

He arrived with his wife and police to find the vehicle parked the same day.

One of the ambulances owned by MET Medical. Photo: Dave Hawkins

He added: "I can't believe anyone would want to steal an ambulance as it is there to help people. I don't understand the motive.

"There was a lot of negative comments as to wondering who would do this and what type of people would steal an ambulance.

"It was nice to see how the community were behind us and worked to help us find it especially as a local business."

His vehicle has now been returned without damage and Mr Hawkins is working to put in place extra safety measures at work.

Police have said any witnesses or anyone with information should call non-emergency number 101 quoting crime reference 41/21262/20.

You can also report information online at herts.police.uk/report