Robberies and burglaries have risen year-on-year in the St Albans district, new figures have revealed.

The Office of National Statistics has released crime data for the year ending December 2017, which shows the number of sexual offences, vehicle offences and stalking and harassment offences in St Albans has also increased since the year ending December 2016.

There were 901 domestic and non-domestic burglaries in December 2017, compared to 639 in December 2016 - an increase of 41 per cent year-on-year; 90 robberies compared to 43 (a 109 per cent increase); 239 sexual offences, including rape and sexual activity with children, compared to 184; 1,244 vehicle offences, including theft and joyriding, compared to 836; 446 stalking and harassment offences compared to 355.

This follows a rise of 27 per cent in the number of burglaries between the year ending September 2016 and September 2017.

A Herts Police spokesperson said: “Most other forces across the country have experienced rises in recorded crime as the police service continues to improve recording practises, victim confidence and recording newer statutory offences.

“However, whilst St Albans district continues to experience relatively low levels of crime, we have experienced local increase in burglary and this is a main priority.

“We are proactively tackling these problems and pursuing the people responsible, for example two men were arrested last week in Harpenden for conspiracy to burgle by specialist officers.

“We are grateful to residents who have taken on board crime prevention advice and would encourage residents to invest in additional security measures including house alarms, CCTV and web-based security cameras and doorbells, as well as making their premises as unattractive as possible for burglars, who want to commit their crimes unseen.

“Don’t forget to securely lock doors and shut all windows when you go out or go to bed and give your home the ‘lived-in’ look.

“If you have any information that will help prevent or detect crime, please contact us. Together we can reduce crime and make our communities safer.”

Police cadets are running a crime prevention evening at the Caledon Centre in London Colney between 7pm and 8.30pm on Thursday, May 17.