Shed and external building security - Crime Prevention Advice

There has recently been an increased in shed and external building break-ins in your area. Please see the following crime prevention advice to help protect your property. 

Shed Security

If you have a household alarm fitted, consider extending the system to cover your shed or outbuilding.

Fit a good quality closed-shackle padlock and heavy-duty hasp and staple to all shed doors.

Consider installing a shed alarm or vibration sensor alarm to alert you if an intruder attempts to gain entry.

Ensure hinges are secured with coach bolts or security screws to prevent them being removed.

Install security lighting around the garden and shed area. Motion-activated lighting can deter offenders by increasing the risk of being seen.

Consider fitting window locks, security film, or covering shed windows to prevent thieves from seeing valuable items stored inside.

Use ground anchors, security chains or loop cables to secure high-value items such as bicycles, motorcycles, lawnmowers and power tools within the shed.

Mark valuable property with a property marking kit or forensic marking solution and record serial numbers, photographs, makes and models.

Keep gates locked and maintain fences and boundary security to make access to the rear of your property more difficult.

Avoid storing expensive items near doors or windows where they can be easily seen or quickly removed by offenders.

Consider joining a Neighbourhood Watch scheme and report any suspicious persons or vehicles seen acting unusually in residential areas.

If you discover a burglary, do not touch anything that may have been handled by the offender, make a note of anything missing and any suspicious activity seen recently, report the incident to the police as soon as possible.

Remember: Most shed burglaries are opportunistic. Visible security measures, good lighting and secure storage can often persuade an offender to move on to an easier target.

Garage Security

If you have a household alarm fitted, consider extending the system into the garage area.

Fit a garage door blocker on the outside of the door. This product bolts permanently to the floor, has a large 'T' bar shaped restrictor and a quality locking device.

Consider fitting a pair of garage door locks that are fitted either vertically or horizontally and can be locked either from the inside or outside of the garage.

Install dead bolts mounted one on each edge of the door inside the garage. When in use, the locks throw a bolt into the doorframe or the concrete floor of the garage.

Various good quality 'up and over' or 'rolling' deadlocking door handles can be purchased to replace any existing poor quality locks to give better security.

Consider purchasing loop cables. These have a long braided steel cable and a two-bolt anchor locking point. These fix to garage walls or floors and can be passed through expensive property such as quad bikes, etc. Some cables are alarmed.

Further information can be found here: Shed and garage security | West Yorkshire Police