Thousands Of Pounds Worth Of Tools Stolen From Haseleys

THE Police are appealing for information and warning residents of Little and Great Haseley to improve their security after a series of thefts from sheds and outbuildings in which thousands of pounds worth of tools were stolen.
Between March 16 and May 3, there have been six break-ins at addresses in Great Haseley and between April 13 and 14, a flatbed trailer was stolen from an outbuilding in Little Haseley.
Two sit-on mowers, chainsaws, power tools and generators were stolen in these incidents and between May 2 and 5, a set of number plates were removed from a car parked in Great Haseley.

These incidents, which are being linked, involve items being stolen from insecure buildings with the use of bolt cutters to remove padlocks.

Anyone with any information on these incidents, including if they have been offered such items for sale, is urged to contact Abingdon Crime and Incident Management Unit (CIMU) via the Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505.

Lesley Nesbitt, Crime Reduction Advisor based at Thame police station, said: ?We need people to realise that the items in sheds and outbuildings are a target to thieves and that better security needs to be implemented.
?Not only are the items easily sellable for quick cash, they are often used as tools for further crime, most worryingly is the increase in the use of spades and garden tools to break into homes.
?Burglars do not like to carry tools as they can be arrested for going equipped so they often see what they can find in an insecure shed first. For example, a spade is a handy way of forcing open doors and windows.
?By investing in some simple security measures you can help prevent losing valuable items and lower the risk of your home being burgled.?

Police issued the following advice:
ENSURE your shed or outbuilding is in good repair and replace hasp and hinge screws with non-return bolts.
INVEST in good quality locks for doors and windows, use grilles or even just chicken wire to deter opportunist thieves.
ALARMS can be fitted to sheds.
LOCK all tools and equipment away when not in use, use a long cable to lock them together inside your shed to make it even more difficult to take a single item.
POSTCODE or property- mark all your items of value; this will help us to return them to you if they are stolen and recovered.
EXTRA LIGHTING and natural barriers such as thorny hedges and roses can help keep thieves away.

For further information contact youR local Crime Reduction Office via the Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505.