Crime Reduction - Helping to Reduce Crime in Your Area

Garden related crime

With the approach of longer daylight hours and hopefully warmer weather, now is the time to consider the possible crime problems which may appear with the Spring. For crime reduction practitioners it is often the case that they must remind local residents to take some responsibility for their gardens and sheds. With lighter nights and the desire to be outside more, people start to enjoy new activities without thought for any crime opportunities they are creating. Crime reduction work aimed at both the target and the offender could help to reduce the usual seasonal increase in these crimes.

Identifying hot spot areas or particular methods of break-in may allow an area-wide solution to be devised, or at least targeted displays in local libraries or community centres. It may be possible to identify specific design problems such as a particular type of garage door – this requires good, accurate record keeping if it is to be identified early on.

As visits to garden centres and DIY stores increase, displays at these venues may have some effect, together with leaflets and presentations to relevant clubs and organisations. Many crime reduction groups have worked with garden centres to produce leaflets with basic advice and details of recommended shrubs to make gardens less inviting to an intruder.  If you invest time in these activities, are there any mechanisms you can use to test the level of response?

Neighbourhood Watch has a role to play in reminding its members and local residents that they are putting themselves at risk if they do not secure their sheds as well as their homes. Neighbourhood Watch and other community groups may also be able to help the less able members of the community to clear or maintain their gardens and so avoid creating hiding places for thieves. Landlords may also have a role here.

Cycle theft is prevalent everywhere not just from sheds and garages. Providing secure cycle parking together with campaigns to remind cyclists not to leave bikes unlocked and to mark their cycles may have an impact on crime figures.

Sold Secure, which assesses security products, has introduced a specification SS 301 - Specification for Mechanical Security Systems for Domestic Buildings. This specification is a ‘catch all’ document designed to allow certification of good quality domestic security products such as shed security and garage door locks. Originally focusing on vehicle security products, Sold Secure now covers cycles, caravans, padlocks and domestic security to give consumers access to products that have been tested.

So, what advice can you give to people? 

As individuals, are they giving potential thieves the opportunity they need to steal from them? Ask the following questions and encourage people to take action before they become victims of thieves. Whilst much of this is common sense, it is often necessary to remind people that simple things can make all the difference.

The Garden

If someone can get into your garden easily without attracting suspicion, it gives them more time to steal from you. 

• Are your fences and gates in good repair? 

• Do you have security lighting?
  Low energy dusk to dawn lighting is environmentally friendly and cheap to run. (9 watt lighting to the front and 11 or 16 watt lighting for the side and rear).

• Do you leave things outside all year (ornaments, furniture, tools) which could be removed easily or used to break into your house? 
  Secure them in position or fill with heavy gravel to prevent easy carrying. 

• Are there overgrown areas where someone could hide? 
  Cut it back so you can see what's going on. Gravel on paths and driveways can alert you to someone approaching so intruders will not be so keen. Prickly plants and trellis can provide extra protection from the intruder.

Sheds and outbuildings

Without realising it, you probably have a lot of valuable property in your sheds and outbuildings and you don’t pay as much attention to security as you should. Power tools, lawnmowers, cycles, golf clubs etc are all expensive to replace and attractive to thieves.

• Has your shed survived the winter without damage which could help a thief gain access?
  If not, don’t delay – FIX it now!

• Are your doors secure? 
  Shed doors are notoriously easy to get into so strengthen the door and frame if you can. Outside door hinges should be secured with coach bolts or non-return screws. Use strong padbars and close shackle padlocks. Up and over garage doors can be secured by putting padlocks through the inside runners or by fitting padlocks with a hasp and staple on either side of the door. There are other effective devices available which stop the door being lifted. 5 lever mortice locks are the best on normal solid doors.

• Are windows secure? Is the glass cracked but you haven’t got round to replacing it? You could use Perspex or polycarbonate sheet if well fixed. Use a window lock on opening windows and a strong grille or heavy wire mesh. Consider using net curtains to deter casual viewing.

• Use an alarm – battery operated alarms may act as a deterrent. If you have a house alarm, you could have it upgraded to include your shed or garage. If the garage is an integral part of your house, make sure the alarm conforms to BS 4737.
  
  

• If the garage is linked to your house, is the connecting door as well protected as the main door?
  If not, upgrade the door security now!

Property

Check what you keep in the shed. 

• Does your insurance cover the shed and garage and all the equipment you store there? 

• Is everything post-coded so that you could identify it if it was stolen? 
  Most items can be post-coded by a variety of methods (etching, branding, paint stencilling etc) and easily identifiable items will make them more difficult for a thief to dispose of and therefore less likely to take in the first place.

• Do you have a note of serial numbers? Have you photographed any valuable items and put the photos somewhere safe?

• Do you secure property within the shed? So that even if someone did break into it, they would not just be able to walk off with all your valuable items? 
  Chain cycles, mowers, ladders and tools to a strong anchor point such as metal rings fixed in concrete to the floor – use a close shackle padlock. 

• As sheds are not designed for safe storage, would it be better to have a strong lockable box or cage inside your shed - preferably fixed to the floor?

• Ask your neighbours to keep their eye on your shed as well as the house and do the same for them in return. If you’ve hidden your shed so it can’t be seen, cut down some foliage so you’re not providing cover for a thief.

• When you’ve made your garden, shed or any outbuildings more secure, remember to lock things away every time. It only takes a minute to pick something up and walk off, so don’t be tempted to leave everything out while you go inside for a cup of tea. And NEVER leave cycles unlocked.
  
  

• Further information about property marking 

Last update: 3 March 2004