Police warn of seasonal rise in burglaries (From Free Press Series)

Police warn of seasonal rise in burglaries

NOW Spring has sprung, local police are warning people in Torfaen to be vigilant against shed and garage burglaries.

Historically the number of outbuilding break-ins increase at this time of year, but police say a large percentage of these crimes can be prevented if residents were more security conscious.

Inspector Dave Moses, of the B Division Community Safety Unit, said: "We see an increase in shed burglaries at this time of the year as householders buy new garden equipment and have new furniture out in their gardens.

"These items are understandably tempting for householders to purchase but they are also very tempting for thieves. This equipment is too expensive for the average householder to be complacent about its security.

"In fact, a check of the average outbuilding will reveal equipment probably worth several hundred pounds stored inside, including golf equipment, power tools, garden furniture and bikes, yet far too often the security of these buildings is inadequate."

Over the past few months local crime and disorder reduction officers have been distributing shed alarms to people across the borough.

They are also offering advice on implementing simple security measures to protect your property and deter would be thieves.

These include: fitting a shed alarm fitting movement sensitive lights in your garden putting gravel on your driveway, so you can hear people approaching putting wire mesh on the inside of windows, alternatively, black out your shed windows or cover with a net curtain marking your property with UV ensuring all hedges and plants are cut back to allow good visibility of the garden area.

Inspector Moses added: "We also suggest you encourage your neighbours to keep an eye on your garden at all times of day and night and you can do the same for them; report anything suspicious to the police as soon as possible and in particular record registration numbers of any suspicious vehicles in your neighbourhood."

For more information about securing your property you can contact your local Crime and Disorder reduction officer on 01633 838111.