Keep your home and garden secure this summer

If you are planning a trip away from home this summer, take some time to make sure your home and garden are secure before you go away.

During May there was a 40 per cent increase in burglaries to sheds and outbuildings in Hertfordshire, 

Leaving your home empty when you go out for day trips or longer holidays, can give burglars opportunities to steal valuable tools and leisure equipment from gardens, especially if they are left unsecured.

Many people are out enjoying the weather at this time of year, leaving homes empty for days or weeks at a time. Burglars often target outbuildings as they tend to have less security than homes, but still contain valuable items, like gardening equipment, power tools and bikes.

Make sure any tools that could assist a burglar, like ladders, trowels, hammers etc, are locked away and ensure outbuildings are as secure as possible, with strong locks or even an alarmed padlock. Consider installing dusk till dawn security lights and planting defensive plants like roses along your borders, and make sure fences are in good condition, which will help keep your home safe. Remember to close windows and lock doors when you are going out, even when the weather gets warmer.

Some tips to make your home, garden and outbuildings more secure:

·  Always lock your shed, preferably with two 'hasp and staple' locks (one near the top and one near the bottom of the door) or use or an alarmed padlock.

·  Secure your rear garden by locking entry gates with a padlock.

·  Burglars can use garden tools to break in, so make sure you securely lock away any tools after use.

·  Ensure boundary fences are secure and in good condition. Spiky plants along garden boundaries are good additional deterrents.

·  Tools and gardening equipment should be visibly marked with your postcode and house number - this can deter thieves and help police identify the rightful owner.

·  Remember to lock your garage door securely. Metal ‘up and over’ doors can be secured with extra locks fitted either side and/or a floor-mounted locking ‘T’ bar with a closed shackle padlock. Wooden garage doors can be secured with two substantial ‘hasps and staple’ locks and closed shackle padlocks (your local DIY store can advise on the most secure options).

·  Make access to the rear of your property difficult, keep rear/side gates closed and locked and ensure boundary walls/fences are in good repair.

·  Keep wheelie bins secured so they cannot be moved or used as climbing aids.

·  If you have an alarm, ensure this is set before leaving your property.

·  Use timers on your lights to give people the impression that someone is at  home during the day/evenings.

·  Plant defensive spiky plants under windows such as berberis, roses and pyracantha. Watch our defensive plants video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aZkTjQVYJs.

·  Most bicycles are stolen from home so ensure they are kept in secure sheds, outbuildings and garages.  Consider installing ground anchors if you have a concrete floor. If not, look for security rated products specifically for wooden and metal sheds.

·  Take extra security precautions for storing expensive bikes, it is recommended that they are security marked and registered at www.bikeregister.com. 

Always use the 101 Non Emergency number or 999 in case of Emergency,

For more detailed security advice, please visit www.herts.police.uk/protectyourhome