Saturday, May 25, 2013

Bike stolen from Haverhill garden

The theft took place between 3.30pm and 4.20pm on Wednesday, May 22 at an address in Poplar Close. The bike had been left in the back garden.
Anyone with information relating to this incident is asked to contact PC Cheryl Claydon at Haverhill Police Station on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
(Reproduced from the Haverhill Echo, 24th May)
Gardien Comment: See the article on Bike Security at http://www.garden-security.co.uk/bike-security-print.htm

Donated sculpture stolen from children’s sensory garden

The carver who donated a wooden sculpture for a children’s sensory garden in Daventry said he is saddened by its theft.

Andy Barton created the Green Man sculpture out of a tree trunk using a chainsaw on Sunday (May 12) as part of the attractions for Countryside Day at Daventry Country Park.
But at some point after Thursday, May 16, the sculpture was stolen and Daventry District Council, which commissioned the work, is urging anyone with information about its whereabouts to contact the police.
Mr Barton said: “I’m saddened and disappointed by this.
“It’s sad that there’s such selfish people out there who would steal something that I created for the enjoyment of the people visiting Daventry Country Park.
“It’s hard to say but I’d guess it probably weighed 200kg (440lb). It would have either needed specialist equipment to move, or three or four big guys to roll it out of the park and then lift it onto whatever vehicle they had.
“I’m just so disappointed.”
The piece was then donated to the children’s sensory garden at the country park.
The garden is designed to engage children with plants and other items they can touch and smell as well as see.
Cllr Alan Hills, DDC’s portfolio holder for community, culture and leisure, said: “The theft of this sculpture is a real loss to the visitors of the park.
“We had already received lots of feedback about how much people liked it and the plan was for it to be placed in the sensory garden for children to look at and touch, but unfortunately they won’t be able to now.
“It’s an extremely heavy sculpture and far too heavy to be lifted by one person on their own, and I would encourage anyone who knows its whereabouts to contact the police as soon as possible.”
The carving depicted the Green Man, a traditional image found across Europe from the early Middle Ages onwards. It is usually seen as a symbol of fertility and rebirth or ‘renaissance’, representing the new cycle of growth each spring.
(Reproduced from the Daventry Express, 24th May)
Gardien Comment: Never assume anything is too heavy to be stolen. Take the advice at www.garden-security.co.uk

Customised bike stolen from garden

THIEVES stole a customised racing bike from a home in Corringham.
On Saturday, May 18, the dark blue and black Cube bike was taken from the back garden of the house in Bellmaine Avenue when owner Dean Merchant popped out.
The bike costs a couple of thousand pounds new and was valued at about £800 to £1,000.
Over the years, it has been customised and had parts added to it which may be stripped off and offered for sale separately.
The theft occured between 10am and noon – call police on 101.
(Reproduced from Thurrock Gazette, 25th May)
Gardien Comment:  See the article on Bike Security at http://www.garden-security.co.uk/bike-security-print.htm

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Police warn residents after thieves steal garden ornaments

 

POLICE are warning residents to lock up valuables after a spate of garden ornament thefts.
The warning comes after a number of thefts in recent weeks whereby crooks have entered gardens to steal items.
A police spokesman said: “Residents should lock items away or secure them to try to prevent thefts.
“Thefts from gardens is a seasonal problem and lawnmowers, ornaments and gardening equipment are all at risk.”
A wooden garden bench was stolen from a house on York Close, in Coundon, near to Bishop Auckland, on May 18.
 
The two seater bench was taken from the garden between 1pm and 4pm while the occupants were out of the house.
It is believed the bench may have been dragged along the floor for some time as marks were left in the grass for a short distance.
It is believed that the thieves may have headed towards the crossroads where Leeholme Road, Wharton Street, Westerton Road and Victoria Lane meet.
Garden ornaments were taken from the rear garden of a house on Maple Avenue, in Shildon, overnight between May 19 and 20.
The items have a sentimental value to the owner who is keen to recover them.
A stone bird bath approximately four feet high with a bowl one foot in diameter was stolen.
It is painted and has various patterns in the stonework. These include a tree trunk, red cherries around a bowl, a small girl with a blue bow and a small boy.
A sandstone statue of a boy in a lilac jacket carrying a fruit basket was also taken. The thieves stole two small fairy statues which are white, blue and pink in colour too.
Anyone who can help enquiries into either theft should contact PC Andy Denham, of Bishop Auckland Police, on 101.
(Reproduced from The Northern Echo, 22nd May)
Gardien Comment:  Advice on all aspects of garden security, along with high quality security products, can be found at www.garden-security.co.uk  

Saturday, May 18, 2013

£14,000 of pub garden furniture stolen in raid

 

Criminals made off with £14,000- worth of garden furniture and the barbecue from outside the Crown Pub in the High Street on Thursday.     
Caught on CCTV, they were recorded driving into the pub grounds in a white transit van and cramming three sets of glass-topped rattan tables and chairs and an outdoor barbecue into the back of the vehicle.
Pub owner Fiona Fenge was shocked to discover the furniture, recently brought out so visitors can enjoy a pint in the warmer weather, had disappeared when she arrived at work that day.
She said: "It was my cleaner who first noticed. He went outside and said: 'er, where's the furniture gone?'
"I'd already been out there once and I hadn't noticed – I couldn't believe it.
"The furniture is really nice-looking – it's rattan, made of woven plastic, with glass tops, and just two years old.
"It's worth around £14,000 – it is insured but we'll have to pay the excess and there's no way we can afford to replace it before the insurance money comes in.
"Until then our visitors will have to make to with the benches outside – we've got no other outdoor furniture.
"People were just starting to go outside and use it as the weather warmed up, it's so frustrating."
Although the thieves have been caught on security footage carrying out their raid of the garden, Mrs Fenge is not optimistic that they will be caught.
"The film is really grainy," she explained.
"So you can see them going in at around 5am in the van but can't make out their faces or anything. It was so quick - in and out in 13 minutes.
"It's especially annoying because normally I park my car in front of the gate, so the van wouldn't have been able to get in – that was the one day I didn't.
"You can't lock the gate, but I never worried about it – you don't expect someone to come in and nick your garden furniture.
"I'm keeping an eye on ebay and Gumtree online – I reckon the thieves will sell them at local boot fairs – the tables and chairs will go for about £300 to £400 a set.
"It's a case of catching them at it."
A Kent Police spokesman said: "Police are investigating a report of a theft from a pub garden in High Street, Otford.
"The theft is reported to have occurred between midnight and 9.30am on May 9.
"An officer has attended the pub and is currently undertaking CCTV enquiries.
"House to house enquiries in the area have also been completed.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kent Police by calling 101, quoting crime reference YY/8786/13.

(Reproduced from Sevenoak Times, 16th May)

Gardien Comment:  CCTV pictures have to be clear enough for the police to identify persons. Property can also be marked to aid recovery, and a physical barrier to prevent access by vehicles is always recommended. See advice and product solutions at www.garden-security.co.uk

Crimebeat: Spate of garden shed crimes

 

The blaze was started on Sunday afternoon, about 2.30pm, at a property in Gateside Road.
Any information to PC Cruickshanks at Wishaw police on the new non-emergency number of 101.
Garden equipment was stolen during a break-in to a shed in the back garden of a property at Thornlie Gill in Wishaw last Tuesday, May 7.
Contact the community policing team at Wishaw police with any information on the new non-emergency number of 101.
Another garden shed, this time in Ryde Road, Wishaw, was targeted by raiders last Wednesday evening, May 8, and various items stolen were pinched. The incident occurred between 5 and 8pm.
Information relating to this crime should be given to PC Galligan at Wishaw police on 101.
(Reproduced from Wishaw Times, 15th May)
Gardien Comment: See the article on Shed Security at http://www.garden-security.co.uk/shed-security-print.htm

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Chance to improve
 garden shed security

                                                     
Residents in Mid Sussex are being encouraged to add extra security to their garden this spring by getting a low cost shed alarm.

As the weather starts to heat up the opportunities for thieves can also increase with open windows, insecure sheds and gardening tools left out.
The Mid Sussex Community Safety Partnership is keen to help residents protect their property and is giving people the opportunity to purchase shed alarms as part of a spring crime prevention campaign.
Residents are being offered the chance to purchase shed alarms at a reduced rate of £7, instead of the retail price of £15.
The discounted shed alarms are available to buy from Town Council Help Points in Burgess Hill, East Grinstead and Haywards Heath.
“Mid Sussex is a low crime area and if we all work together to prevent crime then we can help to ensure it stays that way,” said cllr Christopher Snowling, Cabinet Member for Health and Community.
“These low cost shed alarms are a quick and easy way to add a little extra protection against thieves. Making life hard for opportunist crooks goes a long way towards keeping our crime levels low and making sure Mid Sussex continues to be one of the safest places in the country to live.”
For more information contact the Mid Sussex District Council Community Safety team on 01444 477550 or email 
communitysafety@
midsussex.gov.uk

(Reproduced from Mid-Sussex Times, 11th May)

Gardien Comment:  The above is the absolute minimum you should do but for a full range of security products and secure metal sheds, visit www.garden-security.co.uk

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Novel Use for Pressure Mat Burglar Alarm

One of our customers has put the Pressure Mat Burglar Alarm to slightly unusual use - when her dog wants to go out during the night, it goes and sits on the mat near the door. This causes the alarm to chime in the lady's bedroom and then she can pop down stairs and let the dog out - ingenious!  Not really a security issue but who cares? Could be a new line of business.

Friday, May 3, 2013

£600 bicycle stolen from rear garden

POLICE are appealing to the community for information after a £600 mountain bike was stolen from the rear garden of a home in Bath Road, Cheltenham.

The white men’s Inbred mountain bike had been locked up on the patio area at the back of a flat. It was stolen on either Sunday April 21 or Monday April 29.
Officers investigating the theft are asking local residents to report any suspicious activity they may have seen or heard in the area at the beginning of the week.
They are also asking anyone who is offered a bike matching this description for sale to call them straight away.
Information can be given to Gloucestershire Police by dialling 101 and quoting incident number 268 of May 1.

(Reproduced from Stroud News and Journal, 3rd May)

Gardien Comment:  See the article on Bike Security at http://www.garden-security.co.uk/bike-security-print.htm