Sheds and other outbuildings may get forgotten when it comes to home security –

you probably remember to double lock your front door and close your windows but the shed door is secured with a small, 20-year-old padlock and you can’t remember if you locked the garage the last time you were in there - yet the things you store in the shed might have cost thousands of pounds!

 Consider the value of the property you are keeping in your shed or garage and think about whether it ought to be better protected or secured – can you afford to replace it if it is stolen?

Will replacement take time and effort, even if your insurance covers the loss?”

Be advised the following measures to help safeguard your property stored in outbuildings:

• Make sure you have a strong garden gate and always keep it locked to keep people out of the garden

• Keep garden fences in good repair and consider having roses, a thorny hedge or spiky plants to deter burglars

• Lock away your gardening tools and ladders; if left insecure they could be stolen or even used to gain entry to your house

• Fit good quality locks and use silicone sealant to secure any windows in place • Consider fitting an alarm to the out building or shed if it contains high-value items

• Don’t store expensive equipment, such as golf clubs or fishing gear, in a garden shed unless it has additional security

• Make your property identifiable by marking it with your postcode followed by the house number (or the first two letters of the house name) or an ultra violet dye such as Smartwater or Redweb – this means that if it is stolen and subsequently recovered, you might get it back but it can also can also deter burglars from taking it in the first place

• Heavy machinery can be ‘anchored’ to the floor using motorcycle-type chains If you know anyone who is committing this type of crime, contact the police on 020 8200 1212 or you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 – you could be entitled to a cash reward