Help make burglars unwelcome in the St Albans district

Help make burglars unwelcome in the St Albans district

Sadly, we expect burglaries to increase in the run-up to Christmas – but the good news is there are plenty of simple things you can do to help prevent becoming a victim in the St Albans district.

St Albans district Detective Inspector Sol Beere said: “Doorbell cameras, CCTV and timer switches all deter burglars, but recently we have seen an increase in shed, garage and outbuildings being burgled in St Albans, Harpenden and London Colney, where bikes and tools have been stolen.”

The St Albans district has had 38 non-connected burglaries between 1 October and 8 December 2025 – currently making it the district with the highest rate of this crime type in the whole county for that period. The second highest is Dacorum with 27 non-connected burglaries recorded during the same period.

DI Beere said: “Lock it, hide it or mark it.”

Consider a battery-operated shed alarm which responds to movement with an extremely loud siren.

Lock everything away securely. Tools can be locked inside a locker or box or secured with a chain.

Secure your bike to the ground or a lockable stand within a locked shed or garage. Visit Sold Secure to search for ground anchors and other locks designed to fix to floors and walls.

It’s always worth draping an old sheet or blanket over the top of mowers or bikes to keep them covered from view.

Although it might sound like stating the obvious, never leave your garage or shed door unlocked if you’re not around.

Property mark your items and take photographs of them. Some tools can be painted with your name or postcode and forensic marking is also an option. You can also register any item that has a serial number with Immobilise.

Whilst the majority of burglaries occur under the cover of darkness, burglars also strike during the day, so please remember to always:

Close all windows and doors when you go out (even in hot weather).

Invest in CCTV or doorbell cameras.

Keep an eye on elderly or vulnerable neighbours

Report any suspicious behaviour to police – if you suspect a crime is in progress, dial 999.

As part of Operation Guardian, residents can expect to see high-visibility patrols and road checks being carried out to disrupt criminals using main roads into St Albans, Harpenden and London Colney. They are making use of mobile and static ANPR cameras across the area, meaning criminals will not know where they are and they could be stopped anywhere, at any time.

They are also carrying out covert patrols in identified vulnerable areas, which are reviewed daily. We are also lucky to have help from a proactive team of Specials (volunteers with full police powers) who will be supporting the dedicated operation.

This is backed up by local neighbourhood policing officers sharing simple crime prevention advice during their daily patrols, on how to reduce the chance of your home or vehicle being broken into.

Keyless theft of motor vehicle remains a problem both in Hertfordshire and countrywide. All vehicle makes and models are being targeted, not just high-value vehicles, including Ford, Toyota and Porsche.

Remember to:

Keep your key AND your spare key away from your front door, preferably in a metal tin or faraday bag.

Park in a garage if you can, or in an area covered by a doorbell camera or CCTV.

Consider investing in a steering lock – it delays an opportunist thief and they will most likely move on.

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