More Thefts from Sheds

Thames Valley Police continue to warn of thefts from sheds and garages in Aylesbury Vale, and would like to encourage residents to take more precautions.

They offer the following suggestions:

Shed Security

• Keep your shed in good condition
• Fit a closed shackle padlock to the door
• Fittings should be bolted through the door and screws concealed by the use of tamper proof screws or coach bolts
• Consider fitting a good quality pad bar
• 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, CREmark or engravers.
• Install security lighting as a deterrent
• Plants thorny shrubs to act as a barrier at potential access points
• 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 them away
• Fit a wire cage inside the shed where more expensive items can be locked away

No thief wants to hang about longer than strictly necessary, so anything you can do to increase the time it takes a burglar to access your tools and equipment will be an effective deterrent.