Herefordshire Community Safety and Drugs Partnership’s springtime garden security campaign will get underway this weekend (5th and 6th April 2008), with gardeners and householders being urged to put security first to ensure they don't become victims of crime.

Springtime traditionally sparks an increase in thefts from sheds and garages with valuable tools and garden equipment targeted by thieves.
While many people take steps to protect their homes and the property inside them, they often leave valuable equipment such as power tools, mowers, garden tools and bikes in unsecured sheds or in sheds that are not strong or secure enough to protect the items from thieves.

West Mercia Constabulary’s Local Policing Teams, along with staff from Herefordshire Community Safety and Drugs Partnership, will be visiting garden centres and do-it-yourself stores across the county to give out advice on how people can secure their gardens. They will also be handing out informative leaflets and free packets of seeds for people to take away.

Effective garden security covers everything from boundary fences and gates to the valuables stored inside your shed, and there are a number of simple steps householders can take to prevent break-ins:

Gates, fences and walls should be kept in good repair to stop intruders getting in.
Grow prickly plants close to vulnerable areas such as windows, fences, boundary walls and drainpipes.
Don’t leave expensive equipment like garden tools, mowers, mountain bikes and power tools in the shed.
If you have nowhere else to store valuable equipment, take measures to secure your shed.
Don’t leave ladders and tools lying around in your garden – these could be used to break into your home.
Mark your garden tools and equipment with your postcode.

Geoff Hughes, Chair of Herefordshire Community Safety and Drugs Partnership, said: “Although Herefordshire remains a low crime area, thefts from gardens still occur, especially during the spring and summer months when the days are longer and the weather is warmer.”

“A large number of burglaries could be prevented if people were more security conscious. Improving garden security doesn’t have to cost a fortune and most of the advice we are offering is simple and cost effective.

“The seeds we are giving away will grow into a colourful reminder to help reinforce this message into the summer.”
Garden crime advice and more crime prevention tips are also available to read and download at the West Mercia Constabulary website www.westmercia.police.uk. Simply click on the ‘Nip garden crime in the bud’ link from the home page.

Events will be taking place at the following garden centres:

Saturday, April 5
Wellington Garden Centre, 10am to 12 noon
Wyevale, Hereford, qpm to 3pm
Pengethley Garden Centre, 10am to 2pm
Focus DIY, Leominster 11am to 12.30pm
Homebase, Ledbury, 12 noon to 2pm

Sunday, April 6
B & Q , Holmer Road, Hereford, 10am to 1pm
Rockfield DIY, Station Approach, Hereford, 11am to 3pm