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Dear Resident, Police have received a number of reports in recent weeks of thefts at allotments, below is advice and information on how to keep your property safe; Sheds and outbuildings Sheds should be kept in a good condition and be located in a visible position.Use high quality locks, doors and hinges and ideally block off all windows.Use tamper proof screws or drill out screw heads.Visibly mark property and record the serial numbers for free on www.immobilise.com, the police's national property register, to aid recovery of any stolen items.Perimeter Regularly check all fencing to make sure it's in good condition. Ideally your fence should be 2 metres high and form a solid barrier with no gaps.Gates should always be securely locked, and should be of a design that makes climbing difficult.Check there are no bins, composters, trees or bushes that can be used for climbing over the fence, and consider planting thorny bushes inside the fence to deter entry.Lighting A well-lit allotment is less attractive to thieves, especially if it is overlooked by footpaths or buildings.Alarms If you have an alarm, make sure there is a procedure in place to respond quickly, both to interrupt any crime and to avoid unnecessarily disturbing any local residents. Signs Install clearly visible, weatherproof signs alerting passers-by to the opening hours, rules, contact details, all property on site is security marked, any CCTV cameras and how to report a crime. If you do not use any equipment or tools on a regular basis - take them home. More information on keeping your shed or allotment secure can be found here https://www.westmercia.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/non-residential-burglary/secure-shed-garage/ Kind regards |
