Raising awareness of shed crime (Somerset)

Police held a day of action across the area last week to raise public awareness about the rise in thefts from outbuildings, sheds and garages at this time of year.

Uniformed officers carried out extra patrols in rural locations, visiting farms and villages to identify vulnerable outbuildings and sheds and offer crime prevention and security advice to residents.

Officers also visited garden centres in the area – including Dobbies at Shepton Mallet – offering advice and information to members of the public on shed and outbuilding security.

People could buy alarms, suitable for sheds, garages, outbuildings, caravans and personal property, as well as UV marker pens to mark property.

Mendip crime reduction officer Yvonne Mears said: "The value of property stored in sheds and outbuildings is often much greater than householders think.

"The average contents of a garden shed are worth £1,000 but, despite this, security is often overlooked with more than half of garden sheds and garages not locked or adequately secured.

"We wanted to use this day to raise awareness and provide advice on additional security measures householders can take."

(Reproduced from Shepton Mallett Journal, 26th April)

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