news

It's that time of year when millions turn their attentions to the garden. Unfortunately the same applies to opportunist thieves.

So while you're clipping your hedges and planting your bulbs this spring, take a look at our tips to make your garden as secure as it can be without compromising its beauty:

1. Use a siren alarm padlock on the shed and out buildings.
2. Use solar light saving money and they are easily installed.
3. Use gravel for paths as the idea of creating noise will deter the opportunist thief and use a entrance or driveway alert to warn you of an intruder or unwanted guest.
4. Prune low tree branches (below 7ft) to avoid providing cover or potential access to the house. Also, trim tree branches close to upper windows as they may provide access, position a solar flood light directly on a potential entry route.
5. Position security camera floodlight and record it at vulnerable exits or somewhere that will cast obvious shadows.
6. Give garden gates 3 bolts - top, middle and bottom, and padlock the middle one to prevent burglars exploiting a weakness.
7. Position a alert solar entrance light so a recorded message is played to the would be intruder and a siren alarm to draw attention to the area.
8. Position outdoor dustbins well clear of any potential entrances.
9. Ensure your shed is secure, and expensive items are not visible from the window, use the alarm lock and run the cable around those valuable items.
10. Never leave tools out as they can be used to break in.
11. Secure your garage with an standalone intruder alarm, as those with interior doors can be an easy way in and provide cover for thieves.
12. Are your fences and gates in good repair? A thorny hedge can be an excellent deterrent.
13. Don't leave expensive ornaments or furniture, which can be easily removed outside all year round, unless they are secured in position.
14. Photograph valuable garden equipment and mark your possessions with your postcode, UV pens are an easy method.
15. Note the serial numbers of mowers and other serial numbered equipment.
16. Consider installing a solar CCTV system, linked to your TV/DVR, to afford a view of your garden, alerting you of any suspicious noise or activity without personal risk.
17. If the garage has a connecting door to your house ensure it is also well protected and locked when not in use.
18. Secure all opening windows with key locks, a metal grill or wire meshing.
19. If you have a burglar alarm, extend it to protect sheds and outbuildings, or use a simple battery operated alarm.
20. Ensure that your household insurance policy covers theft from your garden and outbuildings.

The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 defines anti-social behaviour as acting in ‘a manner that causes, or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.’ 

In other words, it’s any form of behaviour which has a negative impact on your quality of life.

In reality, anti-social behaviour spans a whole range of offences from fly-posting or littering to persistent disorderly behaviour and drug-dealing.

Some examples of anti-social behaviour are listed below;

• Litter, rubbish and fly-tipping
• Abandoned vehicles
• Nuisance neighbours Intimidation and harassment
• Rowdy behaviour
• Street drinking
• Aggressive begging
• Crack houses and drug dealers
• Prostitution and kerb crawling
• Graffiti and vandalism

What can I do about anti-social behaviour?

The two most important things you can do are to record any incidents of anti-social behaviour you see and report it.

Keep a digital diary of the anti-social behaviour that takes place in your area. Make a sure the equipment is time date stamped. Without this kind of written or digital evidence, it can make it difficult for the authorities to act.

Be prepared to take a stand and report what you see. Often the more evidence you give, the more we can do about the problem.