Armed police in Beeston: Two men arrested over ‘frightening’ robbery in Hertfordshire

The arrests were led by Hertfordshire Police, who have now informed the Yorkshire Evening Post that it was in connection to an armed robbery in Pirton, North Hertfordshire.

Investigations into the incident, which occurred at a Post Office on August 27, led officers to the address near Parkfield Grove, Beeston, where arrests were conducted on Saturday afternoon (October 1).

One resident said: “The first man came out and walked up to the police and handed himself in. The police then went into the house and brought the second man out.”

Trevor Dowling, aged 41, from Copenhagen Close, in Luton, Bedfordshire, was subsequently charged with robbery, theft of a motor vehicle and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

He appeared before St Albans Magistrates’ Court on Monday (October 3) where he was remanded into custody. He is next due to appear at St Albans Crown Court on October 31.

A second man, from Leeds, was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. He has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

Detective Inspector Ben Smith said: “This was a frightening incident which caused a lot of concern among the local community.

"We have now secured a charge and the case will progress through the courts.

“If you witnessed the incident, or have any information, you can still report this to police.”

You can report information online at herts.police.uk/report or call the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference 41/69286/22.