title="Fen Ditton Parish Council in Cambridgeshire">

News  »  Shed security



   Shed security    2 May, 2017

There have been a number of shed break-ins in the area recently, include several in Fen Ditton on 26th April. The police offer the following advice to help keep your property secure and reduce the chance of your becoming a victim of crime:

  • Position your garden shed as near to your house as possible, so that it is clearly visible from your home.
  • Consider painting your house number and postcode onto your valuable gardening equipment (e.g. lawnmower, strimmer and tools). This makes them much less attractive to potential thieves as it makes them more difficult to sell on, and it also increases the chances of the property being recovered and returned to its rightful owner if it is stolen.
  • Avoid storing valuable items such as power tools, fishing tackle or golf clubs in a shed. These items should be stored inside your home or a secure garage.
  • If you have been working in your garden, ensure that you lock away tools such as spades or forks when you’re finished. Tools left out overnight could be used by an intruder to gain access to your property.
  • If you don’t intend to use the windows in your shed you can make them secure by screwing them shut or fitting window locks. Hanging old curtain or netting up against the window will prevent any prying eyes from seeing what is stored in your shed.
  • The most effective way to secure shed doors is to fit a strong hasp and staple (also called a ‘padbar’). Secure this with coach bolts (long bolts with a smooth head that cannot be undone with a screwdriver or spanner) and lock the hasp over the staple with a closed shackled padlock.
  • You can further protect your shed with items such as ‘shed bars’, and larger items such as cycles can be secured to shed shackles.
  • Secure the shed door hinges with ‘clutch head’ or ‘coffin’ screws. These are a special type of screw that once fitted can only be unscrewed with a special tool. They can be purchased from DIY outlets and on the internet.
[+ go back...]