Crime prevention 2018 you and your property
So, what advice can we give?
If someone can get into your garden easily without attracting suspicion, it gives them more time to steal from you.
1 Are your fences and gates in good repair?
2 Do you have security lighting?
Low energy dusk to dawn solar lighting is environmentally friendly and cheap to run lighting for the side and rear).
3 Do you leave things outside all year (ornaments, furniture, and tools) that could be removed easily or used to break into your house?
Secure them in position or fill with heavy gravel to prevent easy carrying.
4 Are there overgrown areas where someone could hide?
Cut it back so you can see what’s going on. Gravel on paths and driveways can alert you to someone approaching so intruders will not be so keen. Prickly plants and trellis can provide extra protection from the intruder.
Sheds and outbuildings / garages
Without realising it, you probably have a lot of valuable property in your sheds and outbuildings and you don’t pay as much attention to security as you should. Power tools, lawnmowers, cycles, golf clubs etc. are all expensive to replace and attractive to thieves.
1 Has your shed survived the winter without damage, which could help a thief gain access?
2 Are your doors secured?
Shed doors are easy to get into so strengthen the door / frame.
3 Outside door hinges should be secured with coach bolts or non-return screws. Use strong pad bars and close shackle padlocks. Up and over garage doors can be secured by putting padlocks through the inside runners or by fitting padlocks with a hasp and staple on either side of the door. There are other effective devices available which stop the door being lifted. 5 lever mortice locks are the best on normal solid doors. Better still fit a security lock box which you can buy here > https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shed-securiry-Lock-Boxes-Bolt-Lock-Boxes-Block-Lock-sheds-garages-/162121518685?hash=item25bf320e5d
4 Are windows secured? Is the glass cracked but you haven’t got round to replacing it? You could use Perspex or polycarbonate sheet if well fixed. Use a window lock on opening windows and a strong grille or heavy wire mesh. Consider using net curtains to deter casual viewing.
5 Use an alarm – battery operated alarms may act as a deterrent. If you have a house alarm, you could have it upgraded to include your shed or garage. If the garage is an integral part of your house, make sure the alarm conforms to BS 4737.
6 If the garage is linked to your house, is the connecting door as well protected as the main door? If not, upgrade the door security now!
Property.
1 Does your insurance cover the shed and garage and all the equipment you store there?
2 Is everything post-coded so that you could identify it if it was stolen?
Most items can be post-coded by a variety of methods (etching, branding, paint stencilling etc.) and easily identifiable items will make them more difficult for a thief to dispose of and therefore less likely to take in the first place. Consider “Smart Water”
3 Do you have a note of serial numbers? Have you photographed any valuable items and put the photos somewhere safe?
4 Do you secure property within the shed / garage? So that even if someone did break into it, they would not just be able to walk off with all your valuable items? Chain cycles, mowers, ladders and tools to a strong anchor point such as metal rings fixed in concrete to the floor – use a close shackle padlock.
5 As sheds are not designed for safe storage, would it be better to have a strong lockable box or cage inside your shed – preferably fixed to the floor?
6 Ask your neighbours to keep their eye on your shed as well as the house and do the same for them in return. If you’ve hidden your shed so it can’t be seen, cut down some foliage so you’re not providing cover for a thief.
7 When you’ve made your garden, shed or any outbuildings more secure, remember to lock things away every time. It only takes a minute to pick something up and walk off, so don’t be tempted to leave everything out while you go inside for a cup of tea. And NEVER leave cycles unlocked.
Finally and well worth a call:
Speak to these guys about security products, locking devices, CCTV and anything that will help you protect your assets.