Secure Your Sheds and Outbuildings
| Published: 23rd April 2008 13:19 |
Overnight there were numerous instances of shed/outbuilding break-ins in the Flore area which resulted in the theft of power tools and other items.
Police are reminding people to make sure they keep their gardens and outbuildings secure as the summer approaches.
Springtime is when people usually start to get their garden/DIY tools, furniture and bicycles out, and although you might not be thinking about gardening or outside DIY yet, offenders are thinking about and acting on it.
We are urging people to think about the security of their sheds now, to prevent any heartache in the future.
A little time and money spent on simple security devices can save the huge cost and inconvenience of having to replace such items.
It is easy to underestimate the value of the property which you keep in your shed but it needs to be kept securely, just the same as any property inside your house.
It is important to make sure all outbuildings are secure and there are some positive things you can do to improve security and make life much more difficult for the thief.
These are:
- Darkness is the perfect cover for burglars - the effective and economic answer is to install outside lighting, which comes on only when people are present.
- Most sheds are secured with a padlock and hasp or staple. This arrangement is fine but make sure the hasp is well secured to the door and frame by using bolts which completely pass through the timber and are secured on the inside using a large washer and bolt
- Choose a good padlock, which has a hardened steel shackle (the part which opens and passes through the hasp). The shorter the shackle the better, because it prevents the jaws of bolt croppers being able to be placed around it
- Lock or permanently fix windows shut and cover them, perhaps with an old curtain so no-one can see what is kept inside
- Install a shed or garage alarm and place a sticker in the window or on the door to advertise the fact.
Anyone who notices any suspicious activity around property or has any information about burglary is asked to call the police on 08453 700700.
For your practical guide to Crime Prevention please click this link- http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/besafebesecure.pdf?view=Binary
Call the Northamptonshire Police switchboard on 08453 700700 or 999 in an emergency. Alternatively call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
