Residents on guard over shed crimes

POLICE have warned residents to be on their guard against thieves breaking into garden sheds.

Officers have issued a check-list of advice to combat raiders as residents invest in new equipment to tend their gardens during spring.

A police spokesman said: “Break-ins to garden sheds and thefts from gardens are common throughout the country. In fact, many criminals consider this type of crime to be low risk/high return as they don’t have to force entry to your home and the goods they can get there are as valuable as anything in your house.”

The police security tips include using a good quality closed shackle padlock on shed doors, as well as using coach bolts on door hinges rather than screws to prevent simple removal.

Officers also advise security marking valuable tools.