After a spate of burglaries in the area left local concerns running high, three causes have been awarded thousands to help with crime prevention and community support.

The Commissioner’s Community Fund (CCF) has given £10,000 to St Albans Business Against Crime, Youth Talk, and The Open Toy Box.

£2,000 was given to the to St Albans Business Against Crime, which will provide radios to retailers in the area to help tackle business crime.

It comes alongside a leaflet campaign to encourage retailers to join an anti-crime scheme.

The top sum of £5,000 was given to Youth Talk, which provides therapeutic support for young people aged 14 to 25 who struggle with current or historic abuse and neglect.

The Open Toy Box was awarded £3,000 to offer 12 weeks of play therapy groups to children and young people aged up to 18 who have witnessed or suffered domestic abuse.

The £10,000 sum is part of £64,000 awarded across Herts by police and crime commissioner David Lloyd to help crime prevention and community safety.

Commissioner Lloyd said: “I created CCF to provide financial support to community schemes to help them get off the ground or expand their current provision.

“Hertfordshire is a safe place with a strong community spirit and low in crime. I’m glad to see so many groups and organisations there are looking to make a positive difference to life in the county.”

A few weeks ago the Christmas Market suffered up to 17 burglaries after a night-time raid, which also coincided with a spike in St Albans domestic burglaries.