Garden and Shed Security

Here is some useful advice on security about your garden and outbuildings

Garage and sheds can be an easy target for thieves. Here are a few precautions that can be taken to stop this from happening.

• Lock your garden gates at all times
  Every time you lock a gate, door or window, you are reducing the opportunities available to the criminal.
  
  
• Protect your garage and shed
  Often you store valuable items in these places and unless well protected they are a great opportunity for thieves. By fitting a Garage and Shed Alarm or Secure Locks you will reduce the risk of a garden break in. Up-and-Over Garage doors often need additional locks.
  
  
• Make sure that expensive items are well secured
  Secure bicycles, garden furniture, machinery, ladders or tools which are a popular target for opportunist thieves. Use padlocks, chains, cable locks and alarms to protect these possessions. It is also important to attach your cable locks to an immoveable point so you may also want to consider installing a secure anchor point.
  
  
• Consider laying out your garden with security in mind
  Thieves prefer to have an easy escape route, like to be able to hide and make no noise. Remember this when planning your garden layout. Always try to fit a hard to climb gate which cannot be removed from its hinges, put Prikka Strip onto your walls and fences, and use gravel in your driveways or paths. Think about planting thorny bushes and hedges in areas where a thief could access your property or hide.
  
  
• Maintain your Hedges, Trees & Shrubs
  Remember untrimmed hedges or high fences prevent natural surveillance and allow the opportunist burglar cover from view.
  
  
• Install good Security Lighting
  Ensure that all areas are well lit and use motion activated PIRs to protect the environment and save energy. Some security lighting is now available with a recording facility which will record to DVD so that you can monitor who has entered your property.
  
  
• Invest in an Access Control System
  or CCTV if appropriate. These are a great deterrent to a potential thief especially as they are used in conjunction with warning signage. A CCTV system can also be very beneficial to the police when trying to catch criminals. Even a dummy CCTV camera with a warning sign can act as a effective deterrent and is an inexpensive way to protect your property.
  
  
• Consider laying out your garden with security in mind
  Thieves prefer to have an easy escape route, like to be able to hide and make no noise. Remember this when planning your garden layout. Always try to fit a hard to climb gate which cannot be removed from its hinges, put Prikka Strip onto your walls and fences, and use gravel in your driveways or paths. Think about planting thorny bushes and hedges in areas where a thief could access your property or hide.
  
  
• Be a good neighbour
  Always be on the lookout for potential thieves and ask you neighbours to do the same. Also remember to tell them when you go away so that they can keep an eye on your property. Consider establishing or joining a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.