Crime Prevention Advice from Norfolk Constabulary
Following a recent trend in theft from garden sheds Norfolk Constabulary have issued a few simple measures which could reduce the amount of victims of this crime.
CRIME PREVENTION ADVICE
The garden shed has increasingly become a target for thieves. The shed, garage or out building, tucked well away from the house is often far easier to break into and less likely to be alarmed. In most cased it houses costly DIY and garden tools and equipment. Most of which are small, lightweight and easy to steal and sell on.
Fit good quality hasps onto the cross members of the door top and bottom using coach bolts and washers to prevent them being forced, or fit lockable slide bolts again with coach bolts rather than screws. Windows are even less secure and some thieves have been known to jemmy off a whole shed panel or roof to get inside, or even lifted it from the gound.
Fit ring bolts on 2 corner posts and run a chain through all the garden tools where possible and secure them with a padlock. The same thing can be done with bikes, mowers and other large valuables.
A good idea is to fit a wire cage inside your shed where more expensive items can be stowed and locked away.
Consider having PIR floodlighting illuminating that part of the garden and fitting mains or battery powered alarms.
This information came from Sarah Blyth. (Community Safety / Crime Reduction Sergeant) Police Sergeant 3370 - North Walsham Police Station. (April 2008)
