In the recent Local Area Commander’s Bulletin for Perth and Kinross, the public are being given advice on keeping their garden’s and outbuildings secure following a recent rise in thefts.
In the last few weeks the bulletin has reported incidents including a bike stolen from a garden and a shed broken into, with Police Scotland offering some simple steps to help secure you gardens, sheds and garages.
Tips for stopping thieve entering and stealing from gardens.
- Keep hedges, walls and fences low at the front of the property – to a maximum of 1.2 metres high and in a good state of repair to allow natural surveillance and make it hard for an intruder to work unseen. Prevent easy access to the back and sides by installing locked gates. Rear fences and walls should be a minimum 1.8 to 2 metres in height. Trellis topping or an intruder deterrent strip should also be considered to make climbing difficult.
- Security lighting around your property will act as a deterrent. Dusk to dawn low voltage LED lighting is cost effective to both install and run.
- Make sure bins are located in an area which doesn’t allow them to be easily used as a step to climb over fences and walls or access windows.
- Lock away any garden implements, furniture or tools in a secure shed, garage or outside store. They may not only be an attractive target for theft, but also items such as ladders which are useful for breaking into your home.
Tips for protect property in sheds and garages.
- Photograph valuable items of garden furniture and / or garden tools. Note and keep a record of make, model, colour and serial numbers and use a UV pen or similar to security mark them with your house number and postcode.
- You may wish to use a chain or other device to lock garden tools and furniture together to the structure which will make them harder to remove.
- Fit a good quality hasp and padlock to the door, fitted with dome headed or non- returnable screws to prevent tampering. Appropriate products that are approved as ‘Sold Secure’ or ‘Secured by Design’ should be considered.
- Secure windows and don’t give intruders the opportunity to see inside. Depending on the type of window, you could consider fitting internal window grills, heavy wire mesh or reinforced glass. You could also use curtains or opaque film. If the window opens, a window lock should be fitted.
- If you have an intruder alarm, consider extending it to cover sheds, garages and outbuildings and ensure that there is a visible external sounder box.
- If you do not have a secure shed then bring items inside – don’t leave them lying out.
It is also advised that if your garage joins your home with a through door, that this door is kept locked.