Two victims were held against their will in a series of vehicle thefts across Hertfordshire yesterday.

A man was forcibly taken against his will when offenders stole his vehicle in Mercia Road, Baldock and a woman was taken from Fulling Mill Lane in Welwyn when her car was stolen.

Police have confirmed that the incident in Mercia Road was linked with three other burglaries in Hertfordshire – which happened in Little Acres in Ware, Saffron Close in Hoddesdon and London Road in Hertford Heath.

A grey BMW was recovered at the scene in Mercia Road, and a blue Honda Civic was recovered in Fulling Mill Lane in connection with the string of thefts.

Officers later stopped a silver Ford Mondeo in Shadowfox Drive, Northampton, following a police pursuit in connection with the four offences.

A 50-year-old man from Essex was arrested on suspicion of kidnap by officers and he remains in police custody at this time.

Two other men made off from the scene and enquiries are ongoing to locate them.

The two victims are now both safe and well and were not injured during the incident.

Anyone with information should call Herts police on non-emergency number 101 quoting reference number ISR 209 of January 3, or report information online at www.herts.police.uk/Report.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.