Suspected burglar arrested after CCTV alert

A CCTV operator in St Albans helped police arrest a man suspected of breaking into a City Centre charity shop.

The worker was monitoring surveillance screens in the early hours of Wednesday 15 April when he spotted the suspect walking around the deserted streets.

He alerted police when the man began acting suspiciously near the Oxfam bookshop in Catherine Street.

Shortly afterwards, a 45-year-old man was arrested in St Peter’s Churchyard on suspicion of burglary at the Oxfam store. He was later released pending further investigation.

St Albans City and District Council has a CCTV system that covers the City Centre and other locations. 

Operators support the police and alert them to any criminal activity they spot. The recorded footage can be used as evidence in court. 

The CCTV system, provided by a contractor, has been in operation since 2001 to deter criminals and has helped solve a number of serious crimes. 

Councillor Jacqui Taylor, the Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing, Inclusion and Protection, said:

Our CCTV operator did an excellent job in spotting a suspicious individual and bringing the incident to the attention of the police.

“It is an example of how well we work with partner organisations such as Hertfordshire Constabulary and shows that we are still targeting crime in these difficult times.

Councillor Contact: Councillor Jacqui Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Inclusion and Protection for St Albans City and District Council: cllr.j.taylor@stalbans.gov.uk; 07971 906343.

Contact for the media:John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, St Albans City District Council: 01727 819533,  john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.