From a police perspective: Shed and garage security

Often, the security of gardens and the outbuildings in them are forgotten about while people focus on ensuring their homes are safe. This issue, Sgt David Lonsdale urges you to consider assessing how secure these parts of your home really are.

By making a few modifications sheds and garages, along with the equipment stored in them, can be made more secure.

So if you haven’t assessed your security for some time then we would urge you to look at your sheds, garages and outbuildings and see how secure they really are. Do you need a better lock, an alarm, lighting, or even CCTV? We want to ensure all of your property is as secure as possible. Below are some areas to consider:

1. Make sure your shed or garage is secured with a good quality lock. Consider bolting a pad-bolt to your door with domed coach bolts and large penny washers and nuts with nylon inserts on the inside, instead of simple screws which can be easily prised through soft or rotten wood. Use two pad bolts spaced evenly for better security. Use large, good quality padlocks with hardened steel shanks.

2. Use the same methods for fixing hinges as with the pad-bolts, if the hinges are small, use security screws which can’t be unscrewed.

3. Keep your back gates locked when not used.

4. Do you have security or motion sensor lights? They can be a great deterrent if your home or garden is secluded from street lighting.

5. Garden tools, DIY equipment and leisure items such as fishing and golf equipment should be locked away in storage cupboards within outbuildings to form a second line of defence to thieves.

6. Many shed or garage windows are never used. If this is the case – why not screw them shut? Fitting mesh or steel bars across the window from the inside allows light to enter but means the thief has to go to a lot of trouble to remove them. Replace broken glass with laminated glass.

7. Finally, when you’re out in your garden, ensure your house is secure to prevent “sneak in” burglars from taking advantage of an open door or window as opportunistic criminals are always on the lookout.