Police have issued advice to householders regarding security of gardens and outbuildings.
If you have a garden, it’s the first thing an intruder will have to deal with if they want to try and break into your house. There are also items in your garden or which you may keep in a garden shed or garage which a thief will find attractive. Take some simple steps to secure your garden, shed and garage.
Keep hedges, walls and fences low at the front of the property – to a maximum of 1.2 metres high and in a good state of repair to allow natural surveillance and make it hard for an intruder to work unseen. Prevent easy access to the back and sides by installing locked gates. Rear fences and walls should be a minimum 1.8 to 2 metres in height. Trellis topping or an intruder deterrent strip should also be considered to make climbing difficult.
Consider nature’s own defences – growing aggressive shrubbery which is harder for intruders to climb through. Ideal plants include berberis, blue spruce, common holly, giant rhubarb, golden bamboo, firethorn, shrub rose, pencil Christmas tree, juniper and rubus (bramble).
Security lighting around your property will act as a deterrent. Dusk to dawn low voltage LED lighting is cost effective to both install and run.
Make sure bins are located in an area which doesn’t allow them to be easily used as a step to climb over fences / walls or access windows.
Lock away any garden implements, furniture or tools in a secure shed, garage or outside store. They may not only be an attractive target for theft, but also items such as ladders which are useful for breaking into your home.
Photograph valuable items of garden furniture and / or garden tools. Note and keep a record of make, model, colour and serial numbers and use a UV pen or similar to security mark them with your house number and postcode.
You may wish to use a chain or other device to lock garden tools and furniture together to the structure which will make them harder to remove.
Fit a good quality hasp and padlock to the door, fitted with dome headed or non-returnable screws to prevent tampering. Appropriate products that are approved as ‘Sold Secure’ or ‘Secured by Design’ should be considered. For more information visit www.securedbydesign.com
Secure windows and don’t give intruders the opportunity to see inside. Depending on the type of window, you could consider fitting internal window grills, heavy wire mesh or reinforced glass. You could also use curtains or opaque film. If the window opens, a window lock should be fitted.
If you have an intruder alarm, consider extending it to cover sheds, garages and outbuildings and ensure that there is a visible external sounder box.
If you do not have a secure shed then bring items inside – don’t leave them lying out.
If your garage adjoins your home and there is a through door, keep it locked.
For more information about protecting your home and any communal areas, visit our advice on how to Keep your Home Secure and Keep Closes & Stairwells Secure.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
