Police are reminding residents to review the security of their sheds, garages & outbuildings following a number of burglaries in the county over recent weeks, that have included within and around the Woodbridge area.
To reduce the risk of shed/garage/outbuilding crime the following steps are advised:
- Consider reinforcing the inside walling of outbuildings with secure metal sheeting and fit good quality central mortise locks to BS 3261 standard, or closed shackle Sold Secure police approved padlocks and hasps.
- Reinforce hasps from the inside by placing a small piece of metal on the inside, where holes are drilled to match the outside hasp and then put a good bolt, or non-tamper screw through to the other side, so If someone comes along to try to jemmy, or force off the hasp it should remain intact.
- Secure valuables such as cycle/lawnmowers and other large valuable items with D-locks and good quality chain locks around ground anchor posts, or if you can’t fit an anchor post use a side fitting shed shackle.
- Protect your outbuilding with a ‘Birmingham shed bar’ across the door to prevent access. This and other approved security products will improve the security of your shed or outbuilding and can be found at www.soldsecure.com or www.securedbydesign.com.
- Make sure you lock windows and either paint over or cover the glass with anti-shatter film to avoid people looking in to see what you have to steal and to keep the glass intact. Wire mesh can also be used on the inside to improve overall security.
- If shed alarms are in use, do not use audible only, instead use text alarms that can send a message immediately to the owner when movement is immediately detected inside, or if it is possible to do so link outbuildings to your house alarm.
- Look at the perimeter of your property and look at ways of preventing access, such as secure side gates and incorporate anti-climb features.
- Consider defensive planting around the perimeter to deter entry, i.e. hawthorn berberis or holly.
- Register make, model and serial numbers of tools, cycles and valuable equipment via Immobilise https://www.immobilise.com/ Make a personal record and photograph valuable items.
- Overtly mark your property with your house number and postcode so that marking is permanent and property is less attractive for a thief to sell.
- The police prefer security to be layered with a number of security options instead of relying on just one main security measure.
- Suffolk Police advice on a variety of subjects that can be accessed through our ‘First Principle’ A-Z of Crime Prevention at https://www.suffolk.police.uk/advice/crime-prevention-z
- The First Principle A-Z also includes a shed and garage security advice sheet at: http://www.suffolk.police.uk/sites/suffolk/files/shedandgaragesecurity1.pdf
- To report something, or to otherwise contact Police, use the link http://www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us
- To report something anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org
- Alternatively call 101 for non-urgent matters.
- Always call 999 in emergencies, or if an immediate police response is required.
- For further in-depth crime reduction advice you can contact your local Design Out Crime Officer through the non-emergency 101 telephone number.
Help us keep our communities safe.
Police advice on a variety of subjects can be accessed via https://www.suffolk.police.uk/advice
To report something, or to otherwise contact Police, use the link http://www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us
To report something anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Alternatively call 101 for non-urgent matters.