Preventing Sheds Burglary – Safer Backyard Sheds With Theft Protection

Over the weekend, shed burglar alarms will be on sale at a reduced price, with the first 100 people to take up the offer receiving an extra £3 discount in the form of vouchers donated by Barking and Dagenham Council's Community Safety team.

Homebase will be also running a free raffle draw with the first prize on offer a garden shed with free delivery and second prize of a range of security products.

Police, Community Safety Officers and security experts from Homebase will be on hand to give advice and guidance on how to avoid shed burglary.

Shed burglary may not be the most serious of crimes but is a growing phenomenon which accounts for around one third of all burglaries in the Borough

Not only are lawnmowers, bikes, golf clubs and other valuable items at risk but ordinary garden tools kept unlocked in your shed can also pose a hazard as burglars may use them to break into your home.

One of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent shed burglary is to fit a specialist shed burglary alarm to help protect your property from theft.

"People should be able to feel their property is safe in their own garden sheds and an alarm helps to guard against the growing crime of shed burglary."

The Police are keen to emphasise the wider dangers of shed burglary and warn that it does not always only affect shed owners and their property.

"Shed burglars are often opportunists who will break into a unprotected shed to gain access to the tools inside which can then be used to help them break into nearby homes.

"While security lighting can play some part in helping to deter crime, it is energy inefficient and intrusive. A shed burglar alarm is low priced, cheap to run, easy to fit and more effective. We also suggest people are sensible about what they store in their sheds and keep any valuable items in a more secure place."

Safety Tips to avoid Shed Burglary:

Sheds were never designed for storage of valuable items. If you lock up items such as gardening tools in your shed, you should mark them with your postcode using a property marking pen.

Garden sheds are often easy targets for burglars who will steal tools, lawnmowers, bikes, golf clubs and electrical items. Even if you do not keep anything of value in the shed itself you need to make sure it is secure to avoid burglars breaking in to get tools to break into your home.

Sheds are often made of flimsy material - ensure that the structure of the shed is sound and all the windows and doors fit properly. Replace any damaged or rotten areas with new sections.

Other security tips:

* Fit mesh wires or bars to the inside of window frames.

* Windows should be secured with screws or window locks.

* Replace any broken window panes.

* Fit at least one good quality closed 'shackle' padlock to the shed.

* When not in use, garden equipment and tools should be kept chained to the inside of the shed.

* Consider fitting a shed alarm - they are highly effective, minimal cost and easy to fit.

Author Notes:

Mark Harris contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.garden-n-storage-sheds.com. Build yourself a gazebo, tool shed, potting shed, greenhouse, bridge, or outdoor garden & storage shed using free building plans found online.