Sheds and Outbuildings Safety

Burglaries of sheds and garages

Sheds and garages are often overlooked when it comes to security but they are increasingly being attacked by thieves. Not only do they often contain cycles and other property of value but they provide an easy source of tools with which the thief can break into houses.

Here are some simple and inexpensive ways of protecting sheds and garages;-

Sheds

• Reinforce the door with a wood panel across the inside.
• Drill through the door and panel and fit a hasp [for a padlock] by bolting through from the outside and tightening the nut on the inside. [This prevents unscrewing or prising screws off]
• Secure with a good quality [preferably closed shackle] padlock.

Garages

• Many garages are fitted with “up and over” doors. Gaining entry is not difficult
• Fit a padlock and hasp to the exterior of door and into the concrete base immediately in front of the garage.
• If there is a side door to the garage an alternative is to affix a bolt[s] to the inside of the garage door which slides into a drilled hole in the runner and frame, using a padlock to prevent the bolt being slid.
• The side door should be fitted with a 5 lever mortise lock.
• If the garage adjoins the house and an intruder alarm is fitted to the house, consider extending the alarm coverage to the garage.
• Failing that, a shed alarm with a battery operated sensor movement detector can be used on shed or garage doors available from police stations.
• Don't forget to security mark any valuable items with a U.V. pen for identification purposes.

Additional security for valuable items inside sheds or garages can be achieved by running a security chain through the frames and affixing it to a ring bolt in the wall or floor.

Please download the documents on the left for full informtation and advice on how to protect your sheds and garages against buglary.

For further advice dial 101 and ask to speak to your local Crime Reduction Officer.

In an emergency always dial 999

www.suffolk.police.uk