BURGLARIES in St Albans are down 66 per cent on the same time last year thanks to a high visibility operation and the freezing weather, according to Herts Police. Operation Guardian ran from last Tuesday, January 5, until Sunday (January 11), and saw offi

BURGLARIES in St Albans are down 66 per cent on the same time last year thanks to a high visibility operation and the freezing weather, according to Herts Police.

Operation Guardian ran from last Tuesday, January 5, until Sunday (January 11), and saw officers from the St Albans and Harpenden Safer Neighbourhood Teams and the Tactical Team join forces to target burglars entering the area.

During that time a total of 120 people were stopped and three burglaries were committed compared to nine during the same period last year.

St Albans Chief Inspector Richard Hann said: "For the past five years, St Albans has had a consistent increase in burglaries so we have been running an additional 'ring of steel' operation alongside our regular patrols and ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) to help deter offenders and, prevent and reduce burglaries in St Albans and Harpenden.

"It is about disrupting and arresting suspects travelling into St Albans, gathering information about who these offenders are and increasing feelings of safety and confidence for residents in St Albans and Harpenden."

He said: "The majority of our offenders come from out of the county but we also have some local burglars. Many of them are opportunists and so residents can help protect themselves from becoming a victim by following our advice. And the message to burglars is that we know who you are and we will do everything we can to make St Albans and Harpenden a no-go area for you."

The operation is part of a long-term response to burglaries in the area using both overt and covert tactics. Five people were arrested in connection with burglaries in St Albans and Harpenden during a raid in Luton last month, which was attended by the Herts Advertiser.