In April, shopkeepers were left terrified after a gang of men raided a betting shop in Borehamwood.

The three men, aged between 18 and 30 and of Middle Eastern origin, stole cash from the till and safe of Ladbrokes in Manor Way.

Police were called to the scene but the thieves had already left.

Shopkeepers branded the thieves the “lowest of the low” and said they were now terrified for their own safety, especially while working late at night.

Also in April a community centre threatened with closure was told it would stay open for at least another year.

Hertfordshire County Council had previously decided to close Maxwell Park Community Centre in Borehamwood.

However the council decided to wait until 96 Shenley Roadl was opened before deciding whether the community centre was needed.

Campaigners said they were relieved at the developments but added they were not out of the woods yet.

Later in the month, a shopkeeper was left distraught after thieves stole a charity box with money she had collected in memory of a close friend.

Liza, who owns A & Y Locksmiths in Furzehill Parade in Borehamwood, had been raising money for Myeloma UK after her friend and former employee Bob Stone died of the blood cancer.

The pair had been friends for 38 years and Liza asked for donations for the charity instead of tips or payment for small jobs.

CCTV footage appeared to show a man picking up the cardboard container with £150 inside and hiding it in his jacket.

At the end of April, grandparents who run a boys’ club feared it would be forced to close unless they raised the money they need to keep it open.

Vera and Dick Clark had been helping out at the Brookside Boys’ Club in Buckton Road for forty years, but needed to raise at least £7,000 to keep the group alive.

The club, which is the only one of its kind for boys aged 10 and older in the area, is open every day from 7pm and provides activities from football to table tennis.