St Albans police have prevented two burglaries during November amid a crackdown operation.

As the nights draw in, opportunists take advantage of unlit homes, but St Albans district officers have been taking a proactive approach to burglars.

In the last month, the force has prevented two burglaries.

Recently, a neighbour noticed a light on an address in Willow Way in Chiswell Green at 7.45pm on November 8.

Officers quickly attended and the offenders escaped empty-handed. Enquiries continue to identify the suspects.

Another attempted burglary was captured on CCTV in Mayflower Road in Park Street just after 8pm on November 5.

Unfortunately, three bikes were stolen from an address in East Common in Harpenden on November 9, and offenders left with the items.

“We have robust plans in place to prevent burglaries,” said St Albans district chief inspector Martin Turpin.

“This includes enhanced overt and covert patrols across the district. We are also actively pursuing identified burglars and ensuring we explore all possible avenues to get people before the courts.

“Obviously we cannot be on every street 24 hours a day, but the best thing we can do is to prevent burglaries from happening in the first place."

The chief inspector reminds residents to make sure they lock their windows and doors, use timer switches on lights, consider investing in alarms, CCTV or doorbell cameras, and "report any suspicious behaviour".

If you require further crime prevention advice, police ask you to contact your local neighbourhood officer or PCSO.

Chief inspector Turpin added: “Please take photos of your valuable items and record unique reference numbers.

"You can report a burglary online at www.herts.police.uk/report or call 101. Please do not report crime on social media.

"We need to be made aware straight away, so we have the best chance of catching the offenders and preventing further offences.”