Detectives are appealing for information, witnesses and CCTV footage following an alleged incident in Harpenden.
At around 4pm on Thursday, January 4, a man in his 30s reportedly received a work call to recover a car that had broken down on Coles Lane, underneath the M1 bridge.
When the man arrived at the scene, he was met by a female who was inside a grey Toyota.
Two to three men, who were described as wearing bike helmets, then emerged. They allegedly threatened him, put him in a van and threw a bleach-like substance over him.
They then drove to an unknown location before returning the victim to Coles Lane at around 6pm.
The victim then ran to a nearby address in Birch Grove to call the police, and he later attended hospital to be checked over.
Detective Constable Sophie Mansell, from the St Albans Local Crime Unit, said: “This was a distressing incident for the victim who continues to be supported by officers at this time.
“I understand that news of this incident is likely to cause concern among the local community, and our investigation is continuing at pace as we work around the clock to try and trace the suspects.
“We believe that this was a targeted attack and that there is no wider threat to the public.
“As part of our investigation, detectives have been assessing CCTV opportunities, conducting house-to-house enquiries and utilising other police tactics.
“We are still encouraging anyone with information to please get in touch with us. Were you in the area the time of the incident and saw what happened, or have any further information that may assist our investigation? Also, if you were driving in or around Coles Lane at the time of the incident and have a dash cam fitted, please check it as you may have recorded some crucial footage.
“Please email me at Sophie.Mansell@herts.police.uk with any information, no matter how small or insignificant you think the details you have may be. Thank you.”
You can report information online at herts.police.uk/report, speak to an operator in the Force Communications Room via the online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or call the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference 41/1019/24.
Alternatively, you can stay 100 per cent anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org
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