A bitter harvest for theft-hit gardeners

Fine gardening weather has been tempting thieves to harvest power tools and machinery from sheds, gardens and garages.
Bernard Plume, West Suffolk's crime prevention officer, warned: "Many people may be working in their gardens this summer, but at the end of a day's work it is not just a case of making sure tools and other items are put away in a garage or garden shed, you must make sure that you have effective security." When you go to purchase a padlock or locking device ensure that it is of good quality and consider fitting a shed alarm. If you have any expensive equipment make sure that you mark it and you have the serial numbers and photos of the property." In just two days last week, thieves stole thousands of pounds worth of power tools and garden machinery in three raids. A chainsaw, lawnmower, hedge trimmer and leaf blower, all made by Stihl, were stolen from an insecure shed at The Pound, Hawstead. The following day a Black and Decker sander and Makita drill were taken from another insecure shed at Hethersett Way, Red Lodge. In a separate raid on the same day, in Hervey Road, Bury St Edmunds, thieves cut chains securing a John Deere mower and flatbed trailer then used the trailer to take the mower away. Police will be visiting areas of St Edmundsbury in the next few weeks to offer crime prevention advice, but anyone wanting to discuss crime prevention can call Bernard Plume on 01284 774141. If you have any information on the thefts, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

(Reproduced from the Bry Free Press, August 28th)

GARDIEN TIP: All the advice and security products you need can be found at www.garden-security.co.uk

Theft from South Wales garden

A bright orange coloured chainsaw and strimmer were taken from the garden area of a dwelling in Parsonage Lane, Begelly, sometime between 11.20 am and 7 pm on Monday. A child’s mini-scrambler motorbike and a one gallon red fuel can were also stolen. Anyone with information is asked to contact PC512 Rowe at Narberth Police Station via 101.

(Reproduced from the Tenby Observer, 28th August)

GARDIEN TIP: Never leave valuable items outside - lock them away securely in a shed or garage. Also use Property Marking to reduce the resale value and aid retrieval. All the advice and products you need can be found at www.garden-security.co.uk

Appeal to help identify pub garden theft CCTV suspects

MEMBERS of the public are being asked to help identify two men suspected of stealing garden furniture worth £750 from a pub in Chipstead.
Five sets of teak and metal tables and chairs were taken from the Ramblers Rest in Outwood Lane on the morning of August 10.
Police officers investigating the theft have now released CCTV images of two men in the pub grounds at about 5am that day.
Detective Constable David Warner said: “I hope that by releasing these images someone will recognise the suspects and come forward and identify them.
“Given the size and weight of the stolen tables and chairs it is obvious the thieves needed a large vehicle to remove the items.
“Perhaps you saw this vehicle, laden with outdoor garden furniture, being driven away and did not think anything suspicious at the time?”
Anyone with information should contact DC Warner on 0845 125 2222, quoting reference RB/09/7744, or call Crimestoppers if you wish to remain anonymous on 0800 555 111.

(Reproduced from www.getsurrey.co.uk August 26th)

GARDIEN TIP: Property Marking is a cost-effective way of deterring theft, along with warning signs that all property has been marked. In addition, access to the garden needs to be made as difficult as possible so that heavy items have no direct way out to a vehicle. See the advice at www.garden-security.co.uk

Garden Theft a Growing Problem for Homeowners

The increasing popularity of garden makeovers and the concept of the ‘outdoor room’ means that Britons are now spending over £4 billion a year on plants, pots, furniture, garden tools and other garden items, yet many do little or nothing to protect their investment against the rising tide of garden crime, and often leave themselves vulnerable to theft and vandalism. RIAS has discovered research carried out by gardening organisations, including the Horticultural Trades Association, and police statistics revealing that claims of over 1 million garden thefts per year are not exaggerated. “Sadly we are all now sitting targets for garden theft,” says RIAS Managing Director Janet Connor, “yet people are not taking anywhere near enough precautions. Most home insurance policy holders don’t realise that the garden and its contents may not be routinely protected by their existing cover in the event of theft, loss or damage, and it’s costing victims as much as £400million per year to replace stolen property. We strongly advise people to check their home insurance policy today, and make sure additional provision for garden cover is added if it is not there already. ” Garden thieves, as well as green-eyed opportunists, have become bolder over the years: some unscrupulous landscapers steal to order and re-sell plundered assets to unsuspecting clients; ‘garden stripping’ is becoming more common, with people returning home to find their entire garden removed including all plants, trees, water features, furniture, ponds full of fish and even the lawn; and the proceeds of random pilfering lines thieves’ pockets as stolen tools, pots and ornaments end up at car boot sales. Whatever its extent or scale, garden crime is on the rise and causes significant distress and financial loss.

(Reproduced from www.pitchengine.com 20th August)

GARDIEN TIP: All the above advice and much more (plus products to help protect your garden) are available at www.garden-security.co.uk

Animal theft from Wisbech garden

A PUPPY and six birds were taken from a Wisbech garden in the early hours of Wednesday August 19th.
The eight-month-old Siberian Husky, five budgies and a Conyer were taken between 1am and 9am after unknown persons used a wheelie bin to climb a fence and gain access to the garden in Chapnall Road. The dog, called Dusty, is wearing a purple and black collar. The budgies are light blue, dark blue, lilac/blue, white and white/yellow. The Conyer is described as a green bird with bits of blue and a red head and breast. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the CIMU at March Police Station on 0345 456 456 4 or to ring Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111

(Reproduced from the Fenland Citizen, 20th August)

GARDIEN TIP: The dog could be micro-chipped in order to aid retrieval and verify ownership, but first of all the garden should be made harder to enter. See the advice re Walls and Fences at http://www.garden-security.co.uk/walls-fences-security.aspx

Garden statue stolen

A BRONZE statue of a heron has been stolen from a garden in Droitwich Spa.
The two-foot garden feature, worth around £375, was taken from the address in Lyttelton Road between 12noon on Saturday, July 25 and 12 noon on Monday, August 10.
Community Support Officer, Keeley Hawkes, said: “The owner of this statue has been left very upset by its theft as it had sentimental value, being a birthday present for her late husband’s 70th birthday.
“We would urge anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area between the times stated to get in touch but it is likely that this object will turn up for sale at a car boot sale or similar event or even be offered for sale to independent retailers.
“Anyone who comes across a statue matching its description should call police on 0300 333 3000, quoting 790/S/100809.”

(Reproduced from Droitwich Spa Advertiser, 17th August)

GARDIEN TIP: Property marking greatly assists the retrieval of stolen goods. If the item can not easily be marked without affecting its appearance then it can be invisibly marked using Forensic DNA. See details at http://www.garden-security.co.uk/SelectaMark-Property-Marking.aspx

Theft of sit on lawnmower

Police are appealing for witnesses following the theft of a sit-on lawnmower.
It was taken from a garden at Fletcher Road, Burbage, Hinckley between 8pm on Wednesday, August 12 and 8am Thursday 13 August.
The 800 Toro mower has a Honda engine, and was coloured red.
PC 2115 David O'Sullivan, the officer investigating the case, said: "I would ask for anyone with information about this theft to come forward."
Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC 2115 David OSullivan on 0116 222 2222, follow the instructions to leave a message for a police officer and when prompted key in the officer's identification number 2115. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers, which is free and anonymous on 0800 555 111.

(Reproduced from www.inloughborough.com 14th August)

GARDIEN TIP : The cheapest way to help deter theft of valuable items such as lawnmowers is to Property Mark them with your postcode. Additionally it is unwise to leave such items outside overnight and a secure metal storage unit is recommended for mowers, bikes, tools etc. All the advice and products you need are at www.garden-security.co.uk