Beware Garden Invaders

THE Police have issued a warning to gardeners to remain vigilant and take precautions against springtime burglary and thefts.

As people spend more time in the garden there are a number of things that are likely to give criminals an opportunity to strike.

One of the biggest risks is of opportunist burglars taking advantage of insecure doors and windows. It takes just seconds for a burglar to enter your home while you are in the garden and search your property, snatch your valuables and your car keys. Ensure any unsupervised doors and windows are secure if you are working outside.

Sgt Ian Holt, Force Crime Reduction Officer, based at Headquarters, said: ?Last year measures taken by householders brought a reduction in burglaries and we hope this can be repeated this summer. As well as making security a daily routine why not this year consider planting some prickly plants or thorny hedging ? a valuable and good looking deterrent to a potential intruder.

?Another risk is the increased chance of unattended garden tools that can be used to break in, most opportunist burglars will not carry tools with them but use those found outside the premises. Spades and forks can be used to lever open doors or smash windows, ladders give access to windows and roofs, and even a wheelbarrow could give an easy step-up for a thief. Where possible, lock tools away when you are finished with them or keep them secured out of sight, although they may have little value they could make it far easier for a criminal to break into your house or shed.

?It is also important to make sure sheds and outbuildings are kept secure to safeguard your possessions and prevent tools being used for other crimes. Buy quality locks that carry a British Standard mark, Sold Secure or Secured by Design logo, install outside lighting, preferably economical bulbs that are permanently on dusk to dawn rather than intermittent floodlights ? but be careful the spread of light does not annoy neighbours. An alarm is always an excellent deterrent.

?Power tools and lawn mowers are often a target in shed burglaries. Security mark them with your name and postcode, there are many products that can be used, choose one that comes complete with a warning sticker as a visual deterrent to would be thieves who increase their risk of the property being identified.?

For additional home security advice visit www.thamesvalley.police.uk or contact 0845 8 505 505 and ask for your nearest Crime Reduction Advisor.

photo courtesy of Thames Valley Police