The Crime Prevention Website

The following press release appeared on the news pages of Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s website yesterday:

Eight sheds at the Daggs allotments on Thornbury High Street had the locks forced – but nothing was stolen except for a gas bottle.

Neighbourhood PCSO Dawn Golding is speaking to all the allotment holders to give them crime prevention advice following the incident which happened sometime between midday on Tuesday October 1 and midday Wednesday October 2.

Neighbourhood officers will be carrying out extra patrols in the area.

PCSO Golding said: "The allotment holders don't keep any power tools in the sheds as there is no electricity at the site. I would ask anyone who noticed anything suspicious in the area on Tuesday or Wednesday, or who has any other information which could help our enquiries, to give us a call on 101."

People can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They never ask your name or trace your call.

We recommend making sure sheds are sturdy and fitted with 'Sold Secure' quality locks. Sheds with no electrical supply can be fitted with a low-cost battery-powered 'shed alarm', available from DIY stores.  It's also worth marking property stored in an outbuilding with your postcode to deter thieves.

TCPW Comment  Whilst I agree that we should use a padlock that has been independently certified to a recognised security standard (Sold Secure) we also have to consider what we’re fitting that padlock to, because there’s little point fitting a top quality padlock to a low quality hasp and staple or one that has not been fitted correctly.

Hasps should be bolted through the shed door, preferable through a steel plate fitted onto the back of the door (se coachbolts with the nuts on the inside, of course).  Likewise, hinges attached to the face of the door should be bolted in the same manner.  Windows should be grilled on the inside and tools should be visually marked to improve the chances of recovery and prosecution of thieves should they be stolen.  I’m not entirely sure how a shed alarm would help on an allotment (who's going to hear it), but then I don’t know how close they are to the nearest houses. An alarm that sets off a flashing blue light on top of the shed might be more useful to draw attention.

There’s ‘shed loads’ of advice on this website about securing outbuildings and perhaps now is a good time to look it up.

You know it makes sense!

Preventing crime in the Garden, Outbuildings and Garage: http://thecrimepreventionwebsite.com/gardens-lighting-access-and-alarms/490/preventing-crime-in-the-garden-outbuildings-and-garage/

Story source: http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/LocalPages/NewsDetails.aspx?nsid=28038&t=1&lid=2

blog comments powered by Disqus