RESIDENTS are being urged by police to be vigilant following a recent spate of thefts from sheds and outbuildings in the Astwood bank and Feckenham districts of the town.
Whilst many people take steps to protect their homes and the property inside them, they often leave valuable items inside sheds with little or no security.
Most garden sheds are not designed for secure storage and expensive items such as power tools,Mowers,garden tools,bicycles and golf clubs should not be stored in them.
But, if you are left with no alternative officers are advising that you keep your shed in good condition with a closed shackle padlock on the door and all fittings bolted through the door and any screws concealed.
It also may be wise to fit grills or mesh to windows and invest in a shed alarm.
Once the physical security has been improved it is important to make everything inside it secure.Tools and equipment could be used to force entry into homes.
Police advise that large items such as bicycles should be chained together and ladders locked to a secure fixture in the shed or garage so they cannot be used to reach top floor windows.
Valuables should also be marked with your post code or one of the many forensic marking kits that are available such as smartwater.
This time of year police expect to see an increase in this type of offence. Gardening equipment will be in high demand and as most items will not be security marked they are easy items for the thieves to dispose of.
