1st October 2007, 07/327
New initiative to keep your shed safe
'Keep
thieves locked out', is the message from West Lancashire Community
Safety Partnership as it gets set to launch a new initiative
following a spate of shed burglaries.
Over the last couple of months there has been a rise in the number
of thefts and burglaries from sheds and domestic garages.
To combat this and to help residents protect their property a
special prevention scheme - Shedsafe - is being run over the next
few weeks.
The Community Safety Partnership has provided funding to the Police
to put together Shedsafe packs, which will be delivered to
vulnerable premises across the district in a bid to reduce the
number of offences.
Community Beat Managers and Police Community Support Officers will
also be re-visiting victims of crime to give them these new packs
and prevention advice too.
Cllr David Westley, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, said:
"Many people take great care in securing their home but pay little
attention to security of their sheds, garages or other outbuildings
that are often used to store valuable property. As a result thieves
will target these to make a quick buck! It can be an upsetting
offence for the victims and yet so easily preventable by taking
some steps to keep the thieves away."
Shedsafe Packs include a shed alarm, an ultra-violet marker pen,
window stickers and crime prevention leaflets aimed at shed, bike
and house security as well as how to postcode your
belongings.
Bill Taylor, Chairman of the Community Safety Partnership, added:
"It's a shame that we have seen an increase in this type of crime
but by working in partnership together we hope to gear people up to
be more security conscious. I'd encourage anyone who has a shed or
other outdoor property to make sure they lock up and help us to
combat this type of offence."
A few simple crime prevention tips to follow include:
· Make sure you fit a good lock on shed doors
· Secure any windows and prevent anyone from seeing into your shed
by covering windows.
· Fit a simple, low cost shed alarm to the door
· Mark up any property using ultra-violet pens
· Try to secure items such as bicycles to the structure of the
building
Police Sergeant Andrew Willis from the Skelmersdale Neighbourhood
Policing Team said: "We are grateful to the Community Safety
Partnership for supporting this initiative. Police Community Beat
Managers and Community Support Officers will now visit vulnerable
premises and repeat victims to deliver the packs and offer crime
prevention advice"
Anyone who would like a crime prevention visit and a pack can
contact their local Police Community Beat Manager at their monthly
PACT Meetings, which are advertised in the local press and take
place at the beginning of every month.
For more information about the work of West Lancashire Community
Safety Partnership, visit the Community Safety section.
Anyone who may have information in relation to shed thefts should
also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 111 555.
Related information
> Council
news
> Community
safety