Crime has fallen by 10.7% across St Albans City and District for the year ending 31 March 2011 when the Liberal democrats were in control of St Albans, compared with the same period the previous year. This is the largest reduction in crime reported in Hertfordshire.

The figures have been released by St Albans City and District Community Safety Partnership which works to reduce crime, anti-social behaviour and substance misuse in the District. Its members include St Albans Cityand District Council, Hertfordshire Constabulary, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Hertfordshire County Council and Hertfordshire Probation.

The crime figures show that house burglary, theft of/from a motor vehicle and robbery, have collectively fallen by 14% since 2007/8, beating the Partnership’s target of a 9% reduction for these serious acquisitive crimes over three years.

There has also been a 27% reduction in the number of deliberate fires, such as arson, in the past year, significantly greater than the 3% drop in these kind of incidents in Hertfordshire as a whole. For the year ending March 2011, there were 137 deliberate fires in the District, compared to 181 for the same period in the previous year.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Allan Siao Ming Witherick said:

“Whilst these numbers are positive, we shouldn’t lower our guard, especially over the summer when we are relaxing.

Make sure that you secure cars and keep items out of view and don’t leave windows open.  There are many easy opportunities for pickpockets as well when people come out for the wonderful markets, so please enjoy, but don’t become a victim.”