AS the weather gets warmer and people start to work in their gardens, Dyfed-Powys Police expects to see an increase in the number of reported thefts from gardens and sheds across the Tivyside area.

Sergeant Gemma Davies said: “Summer is coming, and no doubt garden sheds will become targets for criminals.

“This is a great concern to the police because it is clear that shed thefts can be prevented if a reasonable level of security is put in place.

“Theft of bikes, mowers, tools and garden equipment from sheds is one of the most common crimes in the Dyfed Powys Police area.

“We are encouraging people to install good quality locks to all garden sheds and also to property mark their equipment using UV marker pens, paint or engraving.”

Help police prevent thefts by following some simple steps to become more security conscious.

  • Record all model and serial numbers of the equipment ie lawn mowers, bicycles and tools on immobilise.com

  • Install security lighting in the garden

  • Ensure fences/gates are kept in good condition

  • Ensure good quality locks are fitted to the shed and are securely locked. Windows to be fitted with locks

  • Property mark all the tools and equipment

  • To avoid thieves hiding behind hedges/shrubs – keep them cut back

  • Prickly hedges around the perimeter make accessibility to the garden difficult

  • Consider installing an alarm to the shed

  • Consider having gravel paths and drives – this discourages thieves from the garden – as gravel makes a noise

  • Ladders to be locked to a post or wall as they could be used for easy access to the home