Nip garden crime in the bud

WEST Mercia Police is urging green-fingered residents to help the force ‘weed out' garden crime.

Around 1,500 shed burglaries take place every year across the county, which highlights the importance of storing valuable items securely.

Although many people take steps to protect their homes and the property inside them, valuable equipment is often left in unsecured sheds, providing easy pickings for opportunist thieves.

"With the Easter holidays starting this week, more people will take the opportunity to get out into their gardens and bring them back to life after the cold winter," said PC Ian White, the force's crime risk manager.

He added: "I would urge people - while they're out and about in the garden - not to store expensive items such as power tools, mowers, garden tools, bicycles and golf clubs in sheds. If possible, keep them in your house or garage.

"Easy, simple, steps can be taken by everyone to help reduce garden crime and keep their belongings safe throughout the year.

"Thieves love insecure gardens and we need to work together to keep garden crime low and our gardens places we can relax safely throughout the summer."

(Reproduced from Redditch Advertiser 4th April)

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