Police are looking for information after a man pleaded for help and appeared to be forced into a van.

A man was heard shouting for help in Exeter Close, Watford, just after 12.15am on March 11.

Police say a group of people were seen to be standing next to a white van, thought to be a Ford Transit, as it is believed they forced the man into the van before driving off.

The van was seen turning right on to Reed Crescent, and a dark-blue Mercedes or BMW car was seen leaving at the same time of the van, which officers believe to be connected.

Officers immediately attended the location and carried out a thorough area search, but the vehicle was not located.

Detective Inspector Jason Finnegan, who leads the Watford Local Crime Unit, said: “Since we received report of this incident, my team has worked around the clock to explore every avenue of enquiry but we have not yet located the person who was heard shouting for help.

“From witness accounts, we believe it was a black man in his late 20s to early thirties. Our top priority remains to locate him to ensure his welfare, and to establish the circumstance of the incident.

“We understand people may question the delay in releasing information to the public on this incident, however we have been unable to do so before now due to operational reasons.

“News of this may understandably come as a concern the community but I would like to reassure residents that we are treating this as an isolated incident, and there is no perceived danger to the wider public.

“Do you remember seeing vehicles matching this description in the area at the time? Do you recall anyone acting suspiciously?

“If you have any information, even if you believe it is insignificant, please get in touch. You could hold the key to the investigation.”

To contact police, call 101 quoting reference 41/23319/20, report information online at herts.police.uk/report or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.