Blitz on garden crime

POLICE are stepping up their fight against criminals following a string of thefts from gardens.
Cleveland Police say they have seen an increase in garden crime and are urging people to take more care and lock valuables away. There have been 22 thefts from gardens in Hartlepool since the beginning of June, with offences being reported all over the town. The north area of Hartlepool has seen 14 offences, with six in the south of Hartlepool and two in the central area of town. They say planters, garden ornaments, solar lights and more expensive items like lawnmowers and garden furniture have been stolen from people's back gardens. Crime prevention officers PC Steve Davies and Colin Hopkins, of the New Deal for Communities scheme, are holding a awareness event at Stranton Nursery, in the town's Tanfield Road, tomorrow between 11am and noon where they will be giving valuable advice on how to beat the burglars. PC Davies said: "The thefts occur mainly overnight with a variety of items being stolen. "Our advice is to keep your garden secure by locking side gates, which makes entry for thieves harder and it makes the removal of heavy items more difficult." The Hartlepool Crime Prevention Panel is promoting plastic spikes called cactus strips as an alternative to barbed wire. PC Davies and Mr Hopkins will be back at the nursery between 10am and 12pm on Saturday, August 22. For crime prevention advice contact Hartlepool crime prevention team on (01429) 405598

(Reproduced from Hartlepool Mail, August 12th)

GARDIEN TIP: We believe this is happening all over the country at the moment and insufficient attention is being paid to it. Don't get caught - take action before it happens to you. See the free comprehensive advice at www.garden-security.co.uk