Do Not Give Thieves Shed Loads of Opportunity
Do Not Give Thieves Shed Loads of Opportunity
The past two weeks have seen 8 shed/garage breaks and 1 attempt garage break. The main target appears to be pedal bikes and gardening equipment. Some of the sheds/garages targeted have been unlocked, making them easy targets
Opportunist thieves identify sheds as easy pickings because they are unprotected and lack basic security measures. The buildings often contain property that can be sold on or implements that can be used to force entry into the owner’s home
Many people fall short on basic security of their sheds
Please make sure you:
• Keep your shed in good condition
• Fit a closed shackle padlock to the door
• Fittings should be bolted through the door and any screws concealed
• It is easy to unscrew the ironmongery, steal contents and in some cases replace
the screws to make it look as if the shed has not been tampered with
• By using tamper proof screws or coach bolts, together with a good quality pad bar
or hasp and staple and close shackled padlock, the shed owner will make it
harder for the would-be thief
• Bond any window glass in with mastic to prevent easy removal. Fit grilles or mesh
to windows to slow down the thief
• Ensure all equipment and tools are locked away when not in use
• Install a shed alarm
• Post-code or mark all property such as lawnmowers, bikes, and tools using ultraviolet
pens, forensic marking such as Selecta DNA, Smartwater or engravers
• Install security lighting as a deterrent, and plants such as thorny shrubs to act as a
barrier at potential access points
• If building a shed, put it where it is most visible to you and neighbours
• Ensure ladders are locked to a secure fixture in the shed or garage so they can’t
be used to reach top floor windows
• Chain large items such as bicycles together, making it much more difficult for a
thief to carry away
• Fit a wire cage inside the shed where more expensive items can be locked away
No thief wants to hang about longer than they have to so delay the time it will take
them to get their hands on your tools
Message Sent By
Ian Stacey (Police, Neighbourhood Policing Administrator, Chiltern & South Bucks)
The past two weeks have seen 8 shed/garage breaks and 1 attempt garage break. The main target appears to be pedal bikes and gardening equipment. Some of the sheds/garages targeted have been unlocked, making them easy targets
Opportunist thieves identify sheds as easy pickings because they are unprotected and lack basic security measures. The buildings often contain property that can be sold on or implements that can be used to force entry into the owner’s home
Many people fall short on basic security of their sheds
Please make sure you:
• Keep your shed in good condition
• Fit a closed shackle padlock to the door
• Fittings should be bolted through the door and any screws concealed
• It is easy to unscrew the ironmongery, steal contents and in some cases replace
the screws to make it look as if the shed has not been tampered with
• By using tamper proof screws or coach bolts, together with a good quality pad bar
or hasp and staple and close shackled padlock, the shed owner will make it
harder for the would-be thief
• Bond any window glass in with mastic to prevent easy removal. Fit grilles or mesh
to windows to slow down the thief
• Ensure all equipment and tools are locked away when not in use
• Install a shed alarm
• Post-code or mark all property such as lawnmowers, bikes, and tools using ultraviolet
pens, forensic marking such as Selecta DNA, Smartwater or engravers
• Install security lighting as a deterrent, and plants such as thorny shrubs to act as a
barrier at potential access points
• If building a shed, put it where it is most visible to you and neighbours
• Ensure ladders are locked to a secure fixture in the shed or garage so they can’t
be used to reach top floor windows
• Chain large items such as bicycles together, making it much more difficult for a
thief to carry away
• Fit a wire cage inside the shed where more expensive items can be locked away
No thief wants to hang about longer than they have to so delay the time it will take
them to get their hands on your tools
Message Sent By
Ian Stacey (Police, Neighbourhood Policing Administrator, Chiltern & South Bucks)
