Home burglaries in Three Rivers are down more than 20 per cent according to Hertfordshire Police.

The Force reported 63 fewer break ins between April 2018 and March this year with numbers dropping from 309 to 246 in the district.

Detective Inspector Mike Hanson from the Three Rivers Local Crime Unit attributed the fall in burglaries to police collaboration across borders, the Neighbourhood Watch messaging service and officers advising people on ways to improve their home security via a Safer Streets scheme.

DI Hanson said Three Rivers has the highest number of people signed up to Neighbourhood Watch compared with other areas in the county.

He added: “I am pleased with this reduction, but I am not complacent. One burglary is one too many and my team is always working hard to drive down the number of offences. Further targeted operations are planned for the next 12 months and these will make it more difficult for offenders to commit crime in our county.”

Hertfordshire Constabulary offers the following crime prevention advice:

• Ensure doors are double locked at all times and that PVCu doors are locked fully by using the key. Keep windows closed and locked.

• Install ‘dusk to dawn’ external lighting and use timer switches in your home to control internal lights to make it look like someone is at home.

• Keep keys and valuables secure and out of sight.

• High value items should be kept in a good quality safe, secured to a wall or floor.

• Ensure boundary fences are secure with side gates locked. Keep tools and ladders in a locked shed.

• Join Hertfordshire’s Neighbourhood Watch for alerts and advice: www.owl.co.uk

• Consider installing a door bell camera, internal camera and/or monitored burglar alarm.