A man has been jailed for 13 weeks after attempting to break into cars.

Gary Jakeman was sentenced at St Albans Magistrates Court on Friday, April 13.

The 28-year-old was caught on a web-based camera where he was seen trying several car doors in Cottonmill Lane, St Albans, to see if they were insecure.

The incident took place at 6.45am on March 24 this year.

He was also sentenced for fraud offences in Stevenage where he had used stolen debit cards to make contactless payments for scratch cards in Kandola General Store in Oaks Cross, Stevenage, on January 18 this year.

St Albans Chief Inspector Stuart Cheek warned people to ensure their cars are locked and property is taken out of sight.

He said: “This is a significant sentence for low-level offending. He was caught on camera blatantly trying several car doors and left the garage block empty-handed. Jakeman is an opportunist thief who targeted insecure vehicles to find anything that was easy to steal.

“Currently over 80 per cent of all vehicle crime across the St Albans district have resulted in no damage being caused to the vehicle. In fact, less than 10 per cent of vehicles were damaged during a theft and this is only when property is visible on display. The remaining offences have targeted vans specifically for tools or have been theft of number plates.”

“We have seen a rise in thefts from motor vehicle and suspect the real picture is even higher as many go unreported as people are embarrassed or unsure whether their cars has been targeted. We would ask all residents to support the work we are doing to reduce offences and also protect their own property by always ensuring that they lock their cars, then double check it’s locked and importantly remove all property.”