Claims of a theft at an Elstree hotel following a bar mitzvah celebration have been reported to police.

The bar mitzvah took place in the large suite of The Village Urban Resort in Centennial Avenue to celebrate the boy’s coming of age.

Four guests are reported to have handed cards containing money to a member of staff who had taken their coats to the private cloakroom, but these were never received by the family.

The alleged theft was reported to police but the case is currently not active.

The hotel initially did not acknowledge the gifts had been handed in, but after interviews with staff members the family were told the gifts had been collected and left in the cloakroom.

Luke Pearl, general manager of the hotel, said: “The matter was investigated and we handed it over to the police.”

The mother, who did not wish to be named, said: “It just seems petty and small minded to me. After spending over £8,500 with The Village, a goodwill gesture would have been entirely appropriate.”