Shed the worry of garden theft

South Derbyshire residents are being reminded to make sure their garden sheds and garages are secure after a number of incidents over the past couple of weeks.
Hilton has been a hot-spot for the break-ins, with five over the last two weeks taking place, but they have taken place at other locations in the district and allotments have been affected as well as individual properties.
Mowers, fishing tackle and power tools are among the items stolen in the raids.
As a result of the offences the Safer South Derbyshire Partnership (SSDP) is keen to make residents aware of simple steps they can take to reduce their chances of becoming a victim of this type of crime.
The Partnership team says some of the things shed owners should consider are securing doors and windows– they recommend a close shackle padlock on the door and locks or heavy wire mesh for windows.
A favourite way for offenders to get into sheds is to unscrew the door hinges – the Partnership says these can be secured with coach bolts or non-return screws or simply by smearing glue over the screw heads.
They also recommend visibly marking property with an address or postcode, painting it on so that any would-be thief can see it’s there.
Security lighting and shed alarms, both of which are available from DIY stores at reasonable prices, are included among the other measures they say shed owners should consider using.
Partnership Sergeant Andy King says: “It is amazing when you think of the value of items that people keep in their sheds that often they don’t invest a few pounds in making them secure. In many cases they are not well protected and in some cases are not locked at all. “There’s a range of simple steps that can be introduced at little or no cost that could prevent the loss of high value items stored in them” Sergeant King concluded.
More information or advice on shed security is available from the South Derbyshire Crime Reduction Officer PC Eileen Banton at Swadlincote Police Station on 01332 613398.

(Reproduced from www.south-derbys.gov.uk 14 April)

Gardien Tip: See our full advice re Shed Security at http://www.garden-security.co.uk/shed-security-print.htm