Spring is upon us and many of you will be dusting down the lawnmower and garden tools in the hope of producing an award-winning garden.
Unfortunately, at this time of year, break-ins to garden sheds and thefts from gardens become more common. In fact, many criminals consider this type of crime to be low risk, as they don’t have to force entry to your home. Many people store bikes, power tools and expensive gardening equipment in their sheds making it very attractive to criminals. The good news is that there is a lot you can do to outsmart garden thieves. A few simple solutions can make all the difference to the security of your garden.
• Use a good quality closed shackle padlock on your shed door. The hinges should be attached using coach bolts rather than screws.
• You should keep valuable items in the house but if they must stay in the shed chain and lock them up.
• Loop a bike lock through the handles of garden forks, spades, etc. Remember these can be used as tools to force entry to your house.
• Security mark your bicycles, lawnmowers, toolboxes and garden furniture, by engraving, painting or using a security marker pen.
• Fit an internal wire mesh grill to protect your shed window.
• Install security lighting to illuminate your garden.
• Fit a shed alarm. These only cost a few pounds and can be bought from any DIY retailer.
