Burglaries buck trend as St Albans crime figures fall

CRIME figures in St Albans show an overall drop in incidents but a slight increase in burglaries. According to the latest figures, the average monthly number of crimes in the district has fallen from 742.3 incidents during July to September 2008, to 729.7

CRIME figures in St Albans show an overall drop in incidents but a slight increase in burglaries.

According to the latest figures, the average monthly number of crimes in the district has fallen from 742.3 incidents during July to September 2008, to 729.7 during the same period of this year.

But burglaries are up - an average of 87 burglaries per month were reported during the three months in 2008 compared to 89 this year.

All other crimes are down.

Violent crimes decreased by 5.2 per cent, dropping from an average of 109.7 between July and August last year down to 104 in the same period this year.

Robberies also dipped by 5.9 per cent while incidents of anti-social behaviour were down by 1.6 per cent.

Vehicle crime is also down by 17.8 per cent.

Inspector Mike Hanson, St Albans Neighbourhood Team Inspector, said: "Overall St Albans has low crime rates and this is reflected by the latest crime figures - with overall crime violent crime, robbery and antisocial behaviour all decreasing.

"There has, however been a small rise in burglary which we are currently targeting through Operation Guardian - the Constabulary's anti-burglary campaign which aims to help reduce the number of victims of burglary by working to detect and deter burglars operating in Hertfordshire.

"Reassuringly, distraction burglary figures are down by 70 per cent, which reflects the work of our Operation Manhunt team who are working hard in the local area to reduce distraction burglary and dwelling burglary amongst the over 70s in Hertfordshire.