Distinctive jet ski stolen from Langstone garden

APPEAL Police want to find this stolen jet ski


POLICE have released this photo of a jet ski which was stolen from a back garden.
The bright yellow and red machine was stolen from the garden of a house in Rectory Road, Langstone.
It was taken between 2.30am and 4am on Tuesday, August 21. Details have only just been released by police.
Someone entered the garden by climbing over the fence and opening the gate to wheel the jet ski out into a waiting van.
The jet ski is distinctive as it has been custom painted yellow and gold with a distinctive red half five pointed star.
The expensive machine had the words Jet Maniac in black on the front.
PC Chris Wimshurst, from Havant police station, who is investigating, said: ‘Being close to the coast, marine crime can be a problem for us.
‘We are appealing for any information about the theft of this jet ski.
‘We are also reminding people who own watercraft of any description to keep them locked up and secure when not in use.’
Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Chris Wimshurst at Havant police station.
Contact him by phoning 101.
Information can be given anonymously by phoning the Crimestoppers charity on             0800 555 111     

(Reproduced from The News (Portsmouth)  27th Sept)
Gardien Comment: Items of such value are best locked away, preferably in a secure metal shed. See the range at http://www.garden-security.co.uk/metal-bike-sheds.aspx

Stolen dogs ‘dumped on M-way’

POLICE investigating the theft of two miniature dachshunds from a North Yorkshire garden believe the dogs may have been dumped on a motorway.
Queenie and Roxi were taken from the garden of a property just outside Spofforth on Tuesday, August 21.
On September 18, at about 9.30am, West Yorkshire Police received several calls from members of the public reporting that two dachshunds had been abandoned on the A1(M) between junctions 41 and 42 in the Knottingley area.
The dogs were reportedly dumped by the occupants of a blue Volkswagen Golf which then left the scene, travelling on to the A63 towards Selby before turning off towards Tadcaster . Police would like to speak to the occupants of the car, or anyone who can help identify them.

Officers would also like to speak to a woman driving a red car seen to stop at the side of the road, possibly trying to get the dogs into her car. PC Cheryl Power of Knaresborough police, said: “We are also appealing to any vets or dog rescue centres anywhere in the country who have had any dachshunds brought to them in the last week or so.”

(Reproduced from York Evening Press,  27th Sept)

Gardien Comment: The number of animal thefts from gardens is quite alarming. Greater security is obviously required where pets are allowed to roam outside.  See the genral advice on garden security at www.garden-security.co.uk

Dogs, elephant and gnome among garden items taken in spate of thefts

  
A garden gnome, four dog statues and an ornamental elephant have all been stolen from gardens in the Beccles and Worlingham area.
The ornaments have been stolen from four different addresses, with the gnome, three dogs and an elephant all taken overnight in the space of two days.
A garden gnome and two stone ornaments in the shape of dogs were stolen from the front garden of a home at Samford Court, Worlingham, between 9.15pm on Saturday and 8.30am on Sunday.
A bench seat was also stolen but this was found on Worlingham park behind the primary school.
In a similar incident a concrete elephant ornament was stolen from the front garden of a home at Stuart Drive, in Beccles, between 2pm on Saturday and 4.30pm on Sunday.
Reports of this come after a concrete dog statue was taken from the front garden of a home in Coney Hill, Beccles, the previous evening.

The 2ft high black Labrador concrete statue was taken between 7pm on Friday and 10.30am on Saturday.
A white Old English Sheepdog statue was also taken from the front garden at a home in Bluebell Way, Worlingham, between 7pm on Thursday, September 13 and 8am on Friday, September 14.
A spokesman for Suffolk Police said they were keeping an open mind at the possibility of the crimes being linked and appealed for people to come forward with information.
“Some people might think it is amusing but there has been quite considerable distress for some older residents,” she said.
Anyone with information about who took the ornaments or where they are now should call the Beccles and Bungay Safer Neighbourhood Team on 101.

(Reproduced from EDP24.co.uk 25th Sept)

Gardien Coomment:  See the advice and security products available at www.garden-security.co.uk

14-week-old puppy stolen from garden

A MUM-TO-BE has spoken of her shock after her puppy was stolen from her garden.
Pregnant Shauna Emmerson, 17, says her Staffordshire bull terrier puppy Rocky had only be left alone for a few minutes.
She has little faith he will be returned and is now appealing for whoever took him to ensure he is looked after properly.
Shauna, of Bransholme, said: "I only had him about nine weeks.
"I bought him from a friend and got him as a treat for myself.
"He is really playful and a typical puppy. I'd take him for walks and play with him.
"He was the first dog I'd ever had."
The 14-week-old pup is thought to have been taken on Friday, September 14, at about 12.45pm.
Shauna, who lives with her boyfriend's mum in Ringstead Garth, said: "My boyfriend's mum called me and said she was going out to a doctor's appointment.
"She left and we headed back home.
"As soon as I came through the gate, I saw he wasn't there.
"We looked down the street but we couldn't see anything.
"I was really upset."
Shauna and her boyfriend Sean Tooth believe it is very unlikely Rocky escaped.
When they returned home, the garden gate was shut, which means Rocky would have had to scale a 5ft fence to get out.
Shauna, who is 29 weeks pregnant, said: "I got the puppy now so that when the baby came they'd be used to each other and grow up together.
"I'm not getting another one now. The same thing could just happen again."
Sean said Shauna is heartbroken about the theft.
He said: "Rocky was such a good dog and I doubt he would have run off because he was really slow. Once I took him off the lead and he just walked beside me.
"Shauna has been really upset and angry.
"I really hope someone nice is looking after him."
Rocky has black and brown brindle colouring, with a white patch under his chin.
Three of his paws are black and one is white.
Anyone who may know of his whereabouts is urged to call Humberside Police on 101 quoting crime number 1930221. 

(Reproduced from Hull Daily Mail,  25th Sept)

Gardien Comment: Yet another pet theft.  It is vital that gardens are as difficult as possible to enter if pets are to be left outside. See the advice and products at www.garden-security.co.uk

Police launch new bid to beat shed burglars

POLICE in South Tyneside have launched a new bid to beat shed burglars.
They are handing out signs which can be attached to garden sheds and outhouses, letting would-be burglars know that no bikes or other items of value are stored inside.
The signs will be given to previous victims of shed burglary and those living in areas affected by the crime, and have been paid for with cash from Safer South Tyneside.
Officers are also continuing to patrol identified areas to deter and target thieves.
As well as using the signs, they are urging people to secure their gardens and sheds to keep would-be thieves at bay.
Inspector Peter Sutton said: “We continue to focus our attentions on areas where thieves are known to have struck.
“The signs have worked well in the past, and are yet another tool in our efforts to cut shed break-ins.
“However, we do still need people’s help, and would urge them to take responsibility for their property by ensuring their sheds are secure and, where possible, to refrain from storing high-value items inside them.
“If there is a need to do so, make sure the property is marked with postcodes so there’s a chance the item can be returned if stolen and recovered.
“Bikes should always be locked, even inside the shed, and secured to an anchor point.
“Locks should be used on garden gates and no items left lying round the garden.
“Shed-bars and alarms are also an effective crime prevention tool and can be bought at DIY stores relatively inexpensively.”
Coun Tracey Dixon, South Tyneside Council’s lead member for community safety, said: “Protecting our residents and reducing the fear of crime is very important to us.
“I’m delighted that we are able to provide people with crime prevention measures such as these signs through Safer South Tyneside funding.
“I hope that they prove an effective deterrent to would-be burglars.”
Further crime prevention advice is available on the Northumbria Police website, www.northumbria.police.uk.

(Reproduced from Shields Gazette  24th Sept)
Gardien Comment: See the article on Shed Security at http://www.garden-security.co.uk/shed-security-print.htm

Officers descend on crime hit area

Police officers are set to descend on Buckshaw Village in a ‘show of strength’ after a spike in crime.

Police will be joined by special constables and officers from Chorley Council and South Ribble Council to warn residents about the importance of locking their doors and windows after an increase in ‘opportunist’ crime in the area.

Police say incidents of bike thefts and garden and shed break-ins are on the up on the newly built estates of Buckshaw Village - and now it’s time to take action.

Sgt Andy Bramhall, who is leading the action on Wednesday, said: “There has been a spike in crime in the Buckshaw Village area of Chorley purely because people are failing to secure their property.

“On Wednesday we are going to having as many officers working in the area as possible wearing high visibility jackets.

“They will be trying car doors, garages, houses and tracing the owners of valuable left out such as bikes to advise them and offer security advice.”

The operation, being called an ‘Evening of Action’ will take place between 4pm and 10pm on Wednesday.

Sgt Kev Mountain, of Chorley Police, said police needed to show residents these incidents were being taken seriously, and people needed to do their bit in keeping the area safe.

He said: “There has been quite a few sneak-in type burglaries in garages which have been left unlocked.

“It seems to be concentrated at the moment around the Buckshaw Village area.

“People don’t seem to be taking any notice, so we just want to put on a show of strength so people will hopefully notice the uniforms and come and speak to us to see what is going on. We need to get the message across and encourage people to lock their doors.”

Kaye Davies chairman of Buckshaw Village Community Association (BVCA) said: “I think it is great initiative that the police and council officers from both Chorley and South Ribble are going around to do this.

“It is very important that the residents and locals do what they can to try to discourage crime in the area.

“I think news of a spike in crime is concerning for people in the village but from what we are being told there is a lot we can do to stop it, especially the opportunistic crimes.

“It is all about trying to secure our homes and then at the same time talking to our neighbours so that they can also take action.”

(Reproduced from Lancashire Evening Post, 22nd Sept)

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

Mountain bikes worth £10,000 stolen in Welwyn Garden City

  
Between Saturday July 21 and Sunday July 29, thieves broke into a garage in Lady Grove using a spade to force open the door.
They took four top-end mountain bikes – two are pictured – a lime green Santa Cruz Heckler, a black and gold Epic Expert Evo, a red Specialised FSR XC Pro and a blue Specialised Pitch Comp.
Details of the theft have only recently been released.
Police are appealing to anyone who saw anything suspicious between those dates or who may have been offered these bikes for sale to call the non-emergency number 101.

(Reproduced from Welwyn Hatfield Times, 19th Sept)

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