Image source, BBC News Image caption,

Sharon Allen captured video footage of the burglar at her home and took the information to police

By Mark Easton

Home editor

After a burglar stole thousands of pounds worth of power tools from her home, in St Albans, in October, Sharon Allen turned amateur detective.

She began going house to house, making her own inquiries, and handed CCTV footage from her neighbours to police.

"He's got a distinctive nose," Ms Allen tells BBC News, as she examines her own black-and-white security-camera footage.

"I've given them the information and I'm hoping they've looked at the CCTV."

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An officer visited her home - but Ms Allen has heard nothing since.

The burglar is still in the area, she says, and has been seen hanging around nearby shops.

"I realise I'm not the first on the list - but I'd like to think that they will look into it," Ms Allen says.