garden security blog

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Reminder to New Mills residents on shed security

Police in New Mills are reminding locals to make sure their sheds and gardens are secure following a spate of break-ins in the area.

Between 11pm on January 6 and 7.30am on January 7, offenders gained entry to five sheds on Lower Hague.
A strimmer, which was taken from inside one of the sheds, was found close by following the incident.
Although nothing was stolen on this occasion, the incident has prompted officers to remind residents of the best way to protect their property.
Advice includes fitting a good quality lock; consider purchasing a shed alarm to deter a thief and secure any bikes with a quality chain; ensure valuables are kept out of view and consider covering windows from the inside; mark all valuables with a property marking system and don’t leave items in your garden that could make the life of a thief any easier, ie a ladder which could be used to gain access to the upper floor of your home.
Anyone with information about the shed break-ins should contact PC David Collier on 101, quoting crime number 908/15.

(Reproduced from Buxton Advertiser, Jan 10th 2015)

Gardien Comment: Sound advice but much more can be found at www.garden-security.co.uk along with quality security solutions.

Friday, January 9, 2015

Residents speechless in valuable slab theft

RESIDENTS were left ‘bewildered’ when they discovered 60 18th century flagstones, valued at more than £10,000, had been removed from their rose garden.

“I crossed over the road to see and it looked like someone had nicked the garden,” said Paul Walker, of Brooklands in New Salts Farm Road, Shoreham.
Previously a club and farm house built in 1753, Brooklands now serves as flats for several residents, who all enjoyed a beautiful rose garden adorned with original flagstone slabs and a church font.
However, on the morning of Monday, December 29, resident Joanna Silsby, who has lived in Brooklands since the 1980s, ventured into the garden and notice that her usual path had disappeared.
“I went outside about 10am and I noticed that the gate was open and I looked down the path and saw that there were no slabs,” she said. “They took them because they’re old. It must have been targeted.”
Mr Walker said that it was not often he was left speechless.
He said: “I’m in complete bewilderment.
“The slabs would have been there when the property was built back in the 1700s.
“We had a lovely path and it was 100 metres long, but they have pretty much removed everything.”
Mrs Silsby’s husband, Paul, said the whole incident was like a practical joke.
“It must have taken hours to remove them,” he said. “They are big, nearly five inches thick and two blokes would have trouble lifting them.”
Mr Silsby claimed that the criminals must have broken through the neighbouring farm’s fence and entered the property with a vehicle, while all the residents were away for the Christmas season.
Sussex Police are looking for witnesses to the incident.
A spokesperson said: “At 10.30am on Monday, December 29, we received a report that since sometime on Sunday, December 28, 60 solid stone flagstones valued at £180 each had been lifted and stolen from the front of a property in New Salts Farm Road. There have been no arrests.
“Anyone who saw what happened or has information is asked to contact police via 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101 quoting serial 374 of 29/12.

(Reproduced from Shoreham Herald, 9th Jan 2015)

Gardien Comment: Absolutely nothing is sacred and any suspicious activity should be questioned. Never assume that people dressed as workmen are authorized to do whatever you observe if it appears unusual - simply ask them what they are doing and inform the police if the answer does not satisfy you.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Residents in Diss and surrounding areas are being advised to keep an eye on their sheds and garages over the winter months.

With the colder weather setting in and shorter days people are less likely to be in their garden leaving places like sheds and garages more vulnerable to thieves.
Local policing commander for Diss, Insp Mike Britton, said: “At this time of year sheds and garages are targeted due to the fact they are not used as much.
“I would advise local residents to make sure they keep sheds and garages locked and secure and to also check them regularly.”

Other crime prevention tips include:
Ideally store high value items inside the home
Use a padlock and chain to secure items such a lawn mowers to a heavy anchor

Cycle locks can be used to secure cycles and other heavy items together

Mark your property with your house number and post code – remember that permanently marked property is less attractive as it would be difficult for a thief to sell.
Fit quality mortice locks or padlocks 1/3 up and a 1/3 down on the door to reduce the leverage available
Fit a security light to deter the thief and alert you to activity near your shed
Use a shield alarm which sounds if the shed door is forced open.
For more crime prevention advice visit www.norfolk.police.uk or speak to your local Safer Neighbourhood Team on 101

(Reproduced from Eastern Daily Press 2nd Dec)

Gardien Comment: Much more advice and quality security products can be found at www.garden-security.co.uk

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Cost of green-fingered theft rises to £2.6m

Garden tools and equipment are some of the top items targeted by thieves, according to the UK’s leading rural insurer.

NFU Mutual’s latest Rural Crime Survey suggests thieves are increasingly turning their attention to gardens, which are often easy targets, and advises homeowners to install extra security measures in the garden as well as the home to protect them from green-fingered thieves.

The cost of garden theft claims topped £2.6m in 2013 and made up 23% of all household thefts, an increase of 29% on the previous year. The average claim was over £1,800 and the most commonly targeted and costly items included lawnmowers, heating oil and tools. Interestingly, garden gates, ornaments, plants and pets were also among the commonly targeted items.

So what can you do to protect your garden and its contents?

Use SmartWater to mark valuable possessions
Fit heavy-duty padlocks to garages and other outbuildings
Avoid leaving valuables on view
Keep garden gates locked
Keep garden tools secure and out of sight
Consider outside security lighting and CCTV
Display signs that advertise your security measures
Ensure you have adequate home insurance cover

Victoria Walton, Home Specialist at NFU Mutual, said: “Security can deter thieves from trying their luck in you garden, but insurance is important too. Our gardens are now, more than ever, an extension of our homes, often with expensive contents so it’s worth checking what cover your home policy provides, and the amount it covers.”

The Mutual surveyed its network of more than 300 agencies throughout rural areas of the UK to identify current trends. The Rural Crime Survey revealed the cost of crime to the rural economy totalled £44.5m in 2013 – up 5.2% on 2012.

The Mutual also organises the Country Crime Fighters Awards, a nationwide competition to support and encourage examples of crime prevention taking place in the countryside.

“The awards highlight and rewarded initiatives that unite communities and help to beat rural crime and we are looking forward to receiving more entries this year,” added Victoria.

To enter the Country Crime Fighter awards visit nfumutual.co.uk/crimefighters, entries close on 18th August.

For more information visit nfumutual.co.uk/ruralcrime

(Reproduced from easier.com 13th August 2014)

Gardien Comment: More advice and quality garden security products can be found at www.garden-security.co.uk

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Bike theft in Hitchin prompts police appeal

The theft of a mountain bike from a garden in Hitchin has prompted a police appeal for information.
Between 4.30pm and 11.30pm hours on June 19, the blue ladies mountain bike was stolen from a garden in Millstream Close.
Offenders had entered the rear garden and removed the bike before making off in an unknown direction.
Police say there have been a number of cycle thefts recently and whilst they are actively trying to find those responsible, any information should be forwarded to the police.
Those with information are asked to call the police non-emergency number, 101.

(Reproduced from The Advertiser, 24th June 2014)

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

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Police offer garden crime prevention tips

Derbyshire residents are being urged to make sure their sheds are secure as part of a police campaign to prevent summer break-ins. Householders are being urged to increase their shed and garden security, and officers from the Bakewell Safer Neighbourhood Team will be speaking to residents about the steps that they can take.
The force wants to combat thefts from sheds, garages and outbuildings this summer when people will be spending more time in their gardens.
Police are urging residents to ensure outbuildings, sheds are garages are properly secure and that any valuables, including power tools and garden equipment are security marked and kept out of view. The policing team will be heading to a Birchover garden event between 1pm and 5pm on Saturday, June 14, to offer crime prevention advice around protecting sheds, garages and outbuildings.
And on Thursday, June 19, police will be teaming up with Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service to offer advice around crime and fire prevention.
On Friday, June 27, officers will be setting up shop at the Moorhall Stores in Bakewell between 8.30am and 11am to encourage cyclists to security mark their bikes.

(Reproduced from The Star, 11th June 2014)

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

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Tamworth's gardeners urged to get 'sheducated' and secure their gardens against theft

PCSO John Horton and PCSO Phil Trow are pictured with their campaign posters and Homebase store manager Mark Harrison.

Comments (0) TAMWORTH’S gardeners are to be ‘sheducated’ in a bid to help them keep their garden sheds safe and secure.
On Saturday 31 May and Sunday June 1, police and members of the community safety partnership will be at Ventura Park’s Homebase store to demonstrate shed security options.
Local residents will be given basic security and safety advice, shown what types of security devices are available in-store and how to fit and use them correctly. They can also join Neighbourhood Watch and receive a discount on Smartwater, the forensic property protecting solution.
PCSO John Horton said: “Whilst we’d like to reassure residents that there is not necessarily an increase in shed breaks in Tamworth, unfortunately it is a type of crime that is ever present. Lots of people tend to store high value equipment such as tools, power tools, lawn mowers and bikes in sheds or outbuildings without adequate security and don’t realise the value of their property until it’s stolen. As well as residents losing property, some of those items could potentially be used to break in to homes.
“Ultimately, ‘Sheducation’ is about crime prevention. By ‘sheducating’ people we are hoping it will encourage them to be more vigilant and take those extra security measures around their gardens such as simply locking the side gate, using padlocks and locking bikes kept in sheds. For the green fingered people, we can also advise on certain things to plant that will act as “nature’s barbed wire.”
“We urge people to come on down to Homebase, get ‘sheducated’ and do their bit to deter thieves,” he added.

PCSO John Horton and PCSO Phil Trow are pictured with their campaign posters and Homebase store manager Mark Harrison.

TAMWORTH’S gardeners are to be ‘sheducated’ in a bid to help them keep their garden sheds safe and secure.

On Saturday 31 May and Sunday June 1, police and members of the community safety partnership will be at Ventura Park’s Homebase store to demonstrate shed security options.

Local residents will be given basic security and safety advice, shown what types of security devices are available in-store and how to fit and use them correctly. They can also join Neighbourhood Watch and receive a discount on Smartwater, the forensic property protecting solution.

PCSO John Horton said: “Whilst we’d like to reassure residents that there is not necessarily an increase in shed breaks in Tamworth, unfortunately it is a type of crime that is ever present. Lots of people tend to store high value equipment such as tools, power tools, lawn mowers and bikes in sheds or outbuildings without adequate security and don’t realise the value of their property until it’s stolen. As well as residents losing property, some of those items could potentially be used to break in to homes.

“Ultimately, ‘Sheducation’ is about crime prevention. By ‘sheducating’ people we are hoping it will encourage them to be more vigilant and take those extra security measures around their gardens such as simply locking the side gate, using padlocks and locking bikes kept in sheds. For the green fingered people, we can also advise on certain things to plant that will act as “nature’s barbed wire.”

“We urge people to come on down to Homebase, get ‘sheducated’ and do their bit to deter thieves,” he added.

(Reproduced from Tamworth Herald May 19th)

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