Tips for securing your property
People may take great care to secure their home, but then happily leave valuable garden tools in an unlocked or dilapidated shed!
Ask yourself:
Is the structure in good order?
Are there patches of rot or loose slats? If you have identified a problem, fix it now. Reinforce your shed from the inside to make it more resistant to a break-in. This can be done by fixing additional panels to the internal structure.
Are the doors secure?
Shed doors are notoriously easy to break open, so strengthen the door or frame if you can. Outside door hinges should be secured with coach bolts or non-return screws. Use strong padbars and close shackle padlocks.
Are the windows secure?
Consider replacing a glass window with a Perspex or polycarbonate sheet. Use a solid window lock and fit a strong grille or heavy wire mesh. Putting up a net curtain can deter casual viewing.
Does your shed have an alarm?
If not, many companies now offer cost-effective battery-powered alarms to use on sheds and outbuildings.
Your property
High burglary rates from sheds indicate that not only are they easy to break into, but there is a large market for the stolen contents. With this in mind, consider if the property kept inside would be better stored elsewhere.
Mark your property
Mark valuable items with your house number and postcode using a UV pen or paint. You can also have your property engraved. Not only can property marking deter a thief from taking the items but it also acts as a way of tracing the owner should the goods be recovered by the police.
Insurance
Do not assume that your home insurance covers the contents of your shed. Check with your home-insurance provider. Some items within the shed, such as bikes, may need to be insured separately.
Tools and ladders
Tools can be expensive to replace. If they cannot be stored in a secure location, chain them together. Padlock the chain to an anchor point or place items in a toughened, lockable steel box secured to the ground. Keep a note of the contents, along with serial numbers.
Bikes
If you are storing a bike in your shed, use a decent "D" lock and secure it to a solid anchor point.
Bike Crime Prevention Leaflet Opens in a new window
The surrounding environment
Securing the environment around your home can make it much harder for an intruder to break in.
Lighting
Lighting can be an effective crime prevention measure. If your shed is visible from your home, install lighting that's triggered by movement sensors. If you are concerned that lights may be broken by vandals, secure a wire mesh casing or basket around them.
Protective planting
Prickly plants offer an attractive way of protecting your property. They act as both a visual deterrent and a physical barrier.
Shared shed / garage / allotment areas
Get to know who should have access to these areas. Ask strangers "Can I help you?" This is often enough to deter criminals. Keep a list of contact numbers for neighbouring sheds, so if you find an unsecured property you can inform the owner. Consider starting an allotment watch scheme. South Tyneside Council have produced this leaflet with more information:
