Spring is nearly here, and some people's fancies are lightly turning to thoughts of pinching things from your back green.
With low-risk, easy-pickings garden crime common throughout Scotland, Lothian and Borders Police today issued simple tips to deter thieves.
- Do not accept offers of cut-price lawnmowing, roofing, drive-laying or other work from contractors who 'just happen to be in the area'. Hire someone you already know or have had recommended to you.
- Make sure your boundary fence or wall is hard to climb.
- Use a good-quality closed shackle padlock on your shed door. Attach the hasp and door hinges using coach bolts not screws to prevent simple removal.
- Keep valuable items in the house, but if they must stay in the shed, chain and lock them up.
- Lace a chain through the handles of garden forks, spades, bicycles etc. This will prevent a thief from being able to remove single items. Remember tools from your shed can be used to force entry to your house.
- Security-mark your bicycles, lawnmowers, toolboxes and garden furniture, by engraving, painting or using a security-marker pen.
- Fit an internal wire mesh grille to protect your shed window.
- Install security lighting to illuminate your garden.
- Fit a shed alarm. These only cost a few pounds and can be bought online or from most DIY retailers
Unfortunately, none of these measures will deter slugs, snails, greenfly and other pests from making off with your greenery. Happy gardening.