Kent Police give garden security advice

How to secure your garden

Garden sheds, outbuildings and garages packed with tools, machinery and other valuable equipment offer easy pickings to thieves. Take the right precautions to help reduce the risk of having your property stolen, and getting it traced and returned to you if it is taken.

Here's how you can cut the risk of theft

• Always put tools and equipment away - items left outside could be stolen or used to help a thief break in
• Disable lawn mowers and other large machinery when not in use and chain items together to a solid anchor point
• Record details of your property (make, model, serial number and identifying marks) on the form overleaf and take photographs of items for easy identification
• Use close shackle padlocks to secure sheds and install shed alarms and security lights
• Register your valuables on the National Property Database www.immobilise.com
• Security-mark your property using a UV pen or a forensic marking solution
• Keep hedges and fences well maintained to stop unwanted visitors entering your garden
• Close your garden gate and lock it from the inside
• Use lockable hanging baskets or secure the baskets to their brackets
• Avoid leaving house doors and windows open or unlocked when working in the garden.

Neighbourhood Watch

Neighbourhood Watch schemes are groups of volunteers who work with the police and the local council in the battle against crime. They distribute advice on security and safety in a specific area and make sure elderly or vulnerable people aren't targets for criminals.

There are hundreds of Neighbourhood Watch schemes across Kent and Medway. To join one of the hundreds of Neighbourhood Watch schemes across Kent and Medway, visit our Neighbourhood Watch page or the Kent County Neighbourhood Watch Association website.

Kent Crimestoppers

Crimestoppers is an independent charity, which provides a way for people to give information about a crime without revealing their identity.

If you have information about a crime, call Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. You won't be asked for your name, your call will not be traced or recorded and you don't have to give a statement or go to court.