Garden sheds targeted in spate of thefts

A VILLAGE near Farnham was hit with a spate of burglaries and thefts of gardening equipment worth more than £1,000 at the end of last week.
Residents are being urged to be vigilant following six incidents that all took place in Hamlash Lane, Frensham.
Firstly, a pair of bolt croppers were stolen from a shed which was forced open some time between 4pm on Friday (October 9) and 9am on Saturday.
The offender caused £15 of damage by forcing the door handle and got away with the tools valued at £25.
A trailer worth £750 was stolen from a field when thieves got through three insecure gates to find the unit, which was then pushed out onto the road.
The offence took place some time between 10pm on Friday and 8.15am the following morning.
During a similar timeframe a Ford pick-up was broken into when the back passenger window was smashed.
Gardening equipment worth more than £1,000 was stolen including a Stihl leaf blower and a Stihl hedge cutter.
An electric lawnmower valued at £600 was stolen from an insecure garden shed in the same area some time between 4pm on October 3 and 4pm on October 9.
Waverley’s crime reduction advisor John Robini said: “I would encourage everyone to be vigilant following this trail of crime and to report to Surrey Police anyone seen acting suspiciously in their neighbourhood.
“Homeowners should always check on their security whether this be for their houses, outbuildings or cars.”
Police recommend sheds are alarmed and padlocked and contents such as tools, garden furniture, lawnmowers and bicycles should also be secured and marked permanently and prominently with name, postcode and house number.
Anyone with information on the recent incidents should contact 0845 125 2222, quoting reference WV/10/5700.
Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be called anonymously and free of charge on 0800 555 111

(Reproduced from getSurrey.co.uk October 12th)

Gardien Tip: The shed is the number one target for thieves - see the article on Shed Security at http://www.garden-security.co.uk/shed-security-print.htm