Crime prevention advice for Summer

Whilst the number of house burglaries on the Wirral continues to fall, garden sheds remain popular targets for thieves, due to their potential rich pickings, and often low-level resistance.
Sheds can be overlooked when home security is considered, despite the fact that the value of the contents such as mowers, power tools, garden furniture and cycles etc can often add up to several hundred pounds. A burglar can also use garden tools to break into a house.
Avoid being a victim of garden crime by reviewing your security and taking action where necessary to reduce the loss of your valued possessions.
Here are a few suggestions:
At a bare minimum, the shed door should be protected with a good quality/heavy duty hasp and staple, with a closed shackled padlock. These should be fitted using coach bolts or 'non-return' clutch screws. Windows should be protected using internally fitted grilles or mesh.
Shed alarms are cheap to purchase, or consider extending your house alarm to cover your shed or garage.
Bicycles are often what attract thieves to sheds in the first place. For this reason, bikes should always be chained and locked to something fixed or bulky such as a workbench or set of ladders. If there are other bikes in the shed then they should be locked together.
Ensure tools or other expensive items are kept, where possible, in the house. Failing this, they should be stored in a secure box.
External lighting, and gravel on paths or driveways, will give you a timely reminder of an intruder, and likewise deter offenders.
Low or damaged fencing allows easy access to your property. Ensure gates and fencing are at least 1.8 metres high, and consider fitting wooden trellis which will break, create noise and attract attention if climbed. Spiked toppings such as 'Prikkastrip' can also be used to deter potential offenders.
If you require any further advice regarding garden and shed security, contact the local Crime Reduction Officers on 0151 606 5484.

(Reproduced from merseyside.police.uk 1st April)

Gardien Tip: Full advice about shed security can be found at http://www.garden-security.co.uk/shed-security-print.htm