A man who set fire to cars and wheelie bins in South Oxhey has been jailed for three years.

Jason Michael Smith started the fires on May 24, in Ainsdale Road.

The 34-year-old, from Ainsdale Road, was sentenced in St Albans Crown Court on Monday Sergeant Luke Mitchell, from the South Oxhey Safer Neighbourhoods team, said: “We are pleased with the sentence.

“Arson is an extremely serious offence. His actions created fear and anxiety within the community of South Oxhey.

“He also destroyed two cars which has been a traumatic and inconvenient to the victims and owners of those vehicles.”

Among those condemning Smith's actions was county councillor Richard Thake.

The executive member for community safety said: “Arson is extremely dangerous. While our crews are dealing with arson incidents they are diverted away from other emergencies and community safety work.

“It puts lives and property at risk and costs the county millions of pounds a year.

“Our message is simple - we will not tolerate arson in Hertfordshire and we will continue to work with our partners to stamp it out.”