Police launch Sheducation campaign in a bid to beat the garden thief

HOMEOWNERS are being urged to keep their garden sheds secure as Gloucester police launch a campaign.

Safer Gloucester is celebrating a further reduction in crime in the city this year but at the same time is launching its latest campaign against shed and garden crime.

The value of property in sheds and garages is more than people think, thieves can target them for gardening tools, power tools, bikes and golf clubs.

Safer Gloucester is asking residents to always remember to put garden tools away at the end of the day and lock them securely in the shed or garage as they could be used to break into the house.

Those without sheds should keep the tools inside their houses.

A good way to keep thieves out is to use nature’s own defence mechanisms to stop intruders, such as a barrier of prickly hedge to protect properties.

Police in Gloucester appealed for information last month after five attempted break-ins at Saintbridge Allotments.

Unknown offenders tried to force entry to sheds on the land, but they did not take anything. They damaged the doors and panes of glass smashed.

Ken Price, chair of Saintbridge Allotments, said: “We have had a spate of break-ins and vandalism in the past but recently it has been fine.

“We are working with the police and community to make sure we don’t get a repeat of this. We are doing something positive and are trying to connect with the schools too.

“People have tried to break into the sheds, but once they gain entrance they find there is not much to take anyway.”

Safer Gloucester will be placing a purpose made shed in Eastgate Shopping Centre for four days from Monday with a display of some of the items people can use to protect their shed.

Afterwards, the shed will move to other prominent locations across the city.

Gloucestershire Constabulary’s chief inspector Neil Smith said: “I urge residents to take every measure to secure their shed and also the contents. A bicycle in particular is a very desirable item and should always be locked – preferably with an alarmed “D” lock even whilst inside a shed or garage. We are delighted at the overall trend in crime reduction again this year but we must not be complacent and should endeavour to take every precaution to deter criminals.”

Top 10 most common items that get stolen from sheds include:

Power tools and drills,

Strimmers,

Lawnmowers

Spades

Shears

Fuel in cans

Bikes

Golf clubs

Garden ornaments

Garden furniture

(Reproduced from Gloucester Citizen, 12th April)

Gardien Comment:  In addition to the above, see the article on Shed Security at http://www.garden-security.co.uk/shed-security-print.htm