Summer is a good time for DIY projects and gardening. Which means more time in the shed. But garden sheds can be a target for thieves.
And many people keep valuables like cars, lawnmowers and bikes in them. One in four (27 per cent) Brits have had their shed burgled, according to insurance company Aviva. Almost half were at home when it happened.
Bolton Police have issued tips on how to keep your shed safe from criminals this summer. Install an alarm in your shed People secure their home with an alarm, but neglect to do the same for their shed. Install an alarm in your shed, such as a battery or mains-powered burglar alarm.
They can easily be found at your local DIY store. Don’t leave garden tools lying around outside Avoid leaving garden tools out. Burglars can use spades, ladders or other garden tools to break into your property.
Secure your shed door hinges Make sure your shed door has strong hinges that are hard to remove. Coach bolts fixed with a steel plate and placed on the inside of your shed door can help support it. Choose a stronger lock Select a ‘hasp and staple’ lock that is bolted to the door and frame for extra strength.
A closed-shackle type of padlock bears less risk of being cut. Install outside lighting Strong lighting can alert you to a thief trying to break in. The best lighting for this is high-efficiency low energy lighting, controlled by a dusk-to-dawn switch.
It lights your property in a constant and uniform way. Secure your garden fence Make su.