Residents reminded to lock up their sheds and outbuildings

RESIDENTS in Carmarthenshire are being reminded to lock up their sheds and outbuildings as the winter sets in.

Garden sheds and garages can be a treasure trove for thieves with bikes, lawnmowers, tools and equipment running into thousands of pounds.

The Community Safety Partnership, which includes the police and council, is urging people to look at their security as the dark nights draw in as part of its ‘Think Safe, Home Safe’ campaign.

Latest figures for July to September show that there were 95 offences of non-dwelling burglaries throughout Carmarthenshire. Of these, 37% (35) were burglaries to sheds/garages and 36% (34) were because the premises were insecure.

Although this is a 46% reduction on the same period last year (81 less crimes) and a 10% reduction on the previous three months (10 less crimes), officers are warning people to take the necessary precautions to secure their sheds and outbuildings.

Community safety officer PC Anthony George said: “It’s important that people not only look to improve the security of their sheds, but also any other outbuildings they have where they store any kind of tools and equipment.

“We want to encourage residents to take few simple steps to increase their security and hopefully avoid becoming a potential victim of crime.”

Residents with sheds or garages are being advised to:

• Cover any windows with a curtain etc to stop prying eyes
• Lay gravel around the door area (hard to walk on quietly)
• If possible fit bars on the inside of windows
• Consider using extra internal bolts that drop into the floor for up and over garage doors
• If you have wooden doors, check that the hinges and fixings are secure
• Fit a quality padlock and hasp, not a cheap one
• Consider fitting a security light that has a built in sensor
• Consider fitting a garage / shed alarm, no wires and can be fitted in about five minutes
• Always lock your garage and when possible keep the doors closed
• Security mark all your property, use engravers or punches to mark your postcode and surname
• Use property marking pens on other types of property, for example, bikes, lawnmowers, strimmers, hand tools, electrical tools, patio and garden furniture.

The aim of the Community Safety Partnership is to make the county a safer place to live, work and visit.

Executive Board Member for Community Safety Cllr Pam Palmer said: “Reducing the risk of becoming a victim of this kind of crime is not difficult. Garden sheds and garages are too often easy targets for criminals and householders can take many simple measures to try and keep crime down.”

For further information or advice contact the community safety department at Ammanford Police Station by calling 101.