break-ins

Following earlier post on breakins the police have confirmed there has been a spate of break-ins over the pat few weeks in the Strathbungo area. These break ins have been to houses and more recently to garden sheds. There have been a number of bikes stolen from communal areas. There is no specific time pattern to when the thefts occur and no specific method of entry into the premises. Police are advising that if you live in a ground floor house that you keep the window closed and if possible fit locks to the windows. A number of garden sheds have been broken into and police have provided an advice note about security in gardens which I have pasted below:

Garden Security

As the summer comes to an end and expensive gardening tools, cycles, motorbikes & other items are put away for the winter, it’s an ideal time to think about your garden security. Here are a few steps for you to consider now & all year round.

Secure storage:
Put away all tools and equipment in a locked garden shed, garage or outside store.
If you do not have a shed etc, store items inside, DO NOT leave them lying about.

Doors – Fit a good quality hasp and padlock to the door. The hasp and the door hinges should be fixed with dome headed bolts or non-returnable screws, to prevent tampering.

Windows – Fit window grills internally or use heavy wire mesh. Reinforced glass is a good alternative. Fit a net curtain or sticky opaque film on the windows to stop persons seeing what is inside the shed. If the window opens, a window lock should be fitted.

Security
In addition to a lock, you may wish to consider fitting an alarm on your shed. There are three types of alarm system that can be used and can be purchased from most DIY stores and ironmongers:
• An infra-red detector in the shed that picks up on movement and body heat.
• A door contact system.
• An alarm within the padlock itself, which sounds if the lock is forced open or tampered with.
If you have a burglar alarm, why not extend it to cover the shed, garage and other outbuildings.
Install outside security lighting that comes on automatically.
Keep walls and fences surrounding your garden in a good state of repair. Hedges and shrubs in the front garden should be kept to a height of no more than 3 feet in order to avoid giving a thief something to hide behind.

Garden Furniture
Ensure that garden furniture is put away; remember furniture can be used by a thief as a climbing aid to gain entry to your home. If possible try to secure or chain your wheelie bins so these cannot be used to get access to window hoppers.

Gardening Tools
Never leave gardening tools lying about the garden, put them in a locked shed at the end of the day. Remember they could be used by a thief to break into your house. Linking garden tools within the shed with a chain can also help reduce the chance of them being stolen or used to break in. Remember garden tools such as forks, spades, rakes etc are all valuable.

Property marking
Security postcode your garden furniture and ornaments. This can be done by marking the items with paint, engraving the item, or where appropriate security mark with an ultraviolet pen.
Note a detailed description of garden furniture and tools etc including a note of the make, model, serial numbers, colours & value of items such as lawnmowers, strimmers, and hedge cutters, and if possible take a photograph.

Landscaping
However, there are other ways to protect your home and garden. Gravel paths and drives are a fantastic way of cheaply and unobtrusively discouraging a thief from entering your garden. Gravel makes a loud noise when stepped on which carries well at night and may wake the home owners, neighbours or a dog. This is instantly off-putting to a thief.
Another way to protect your home is to plant prickly hedging around the perimeter of your garden. Pyracantha and several types of Berberis all provide spiky hedging and good cover in your garden. Your local garden centre will give appropriate advice.

For more info & advice visit… www.scotland.police.uk