Garden thefts prompt police warning

Officers from the Cotmanhay and Shipley View Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team are raising awareness with local residents after a number of items have been taken from gardens.

Pc Andy Kendall-Edwards from the team said: “The thefts have taken place over the last three months. Garden furniture is being stolen overnight and this has taken place in the Shirland Close, Barlborough Road and Whitwell Close areas of Cotmanhay.

He added: “It is difficult to prevent this type of crime as most people naturally want to make the most of their gardens. “However, a few small steps may assist in securing garden furniture or ornaments for example, they should take photographs of it and ensure it is marked with their postcode so that if it is stolen and then recovered, we can return it to the rightful owner.

“Also if you secure gates with a lock and make sure your fences are intact it is a deterrent to the opportunist thief.”

Anyone with information about the thefts can call Pc Andy Kendall-Edwards by calling the non-emergency number 101.

(Reproduced from The Ilkeston Advertiser  30th May)

Gardien Comment: The basic advice given above is sound enough but lots more can be found at www.garden-security.co.uk