Man charged with upskirting offences in a North Herts supermarket

A man has been charged with upskirting offences following an investigation by detectives in North Herts.

Colin Hitch, aged 57, and from Flaunden Lane in Bovingdon, was arrested on Friday, July 8 on suspicion of voyeurism. He was subsequently charged with five offences relating to recording or operating equipment under clothing without consent.

Hitch appeared at St Albans Magistrates Court on 9 July where he was remanded into custody and will appear at St Albans Crown Court on Monday 8 August.

A number of suspected up-skirting incidents appear to have taken place in supermarkets in Baldock and Hemel Hempstead without the alleged victims being aware, until a member of the public became suspicious and reported it. 

Detective Inspector Ben Smith said: "We are committed to keeping women and girls safe and we take reports of this nature very seriously. We have conducted a thorough investigation following the initial report. This investigation continues and we would encourage anyone who has any information that could assist our enquiries to come forward and speak to us as soon as possible."

If you believe you may have been a victim in this case, please contact PC Rebecca Hargrave directly by email via [email protected]

You can also report information online at herts.police.uk/report, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or call the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference 41/54519/22.