Garden Security. Redbridge Borough Police Shed, Garage and Garden Security Guide

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2 2 Redbridge Borough Police Shed, Garage and Garden Security Guide Burglary is a crime which causes us all great concern. Recent crime figures show that Redbridge has one of the lowest residential burglary rates of all the London boroughs. However, burglaries to sheds and garages, whilst also low compared to other areas, are an increasing problem in the Borough Many garden sheds and garages (detached and integral) are secured with inadequate and sub-standard locking devices, and indeed are often left unlocked. Over a period of time, the structure of sheds and garages will start to deteriorate, compromising any security present. This is mainly due to the method of construction and the materials used. Thieves find it more rewarding to break into insecure buildings for valuable items, than well-protected homes. The value of the property stored in sheds and garages is often much more than people imagine. Power tools, hand tools, golf clubs, fishing equipment, bicycles, toys and other valuable property are many of the items commonly stored, all of which are particularly attractive to a potential thief. Making your shed or garage more secure is in most cases straightforward and inexpensive. It is just a matter of knowing what is available and spending a small amount of time upgrading the security. This booklet is aimed specifically at sheds and garages, but it is worth bearing in mind that the security of your back garden is just as important. If a thief cannot get into your garden because you have appropriate fencing and adequate gates with secure locks, then you will enhance the security of your home and garden. For advice on securing your garden then please see the accompanying guide A Secure Garden. For a free copy please contact the Redbridge Police Crime Prevention Office on Recommendations by the Redbridge Police Crime Prevention Office are made in good faith. The suggestions contained in this guide are proven deterrents. They do not in themselves form any part of a guarantee that you will not become the victim of crime in the future or that further offences will not take place, but they reduce the laws of probability by enhancing your security and thus also reducing the fear of crime. Garden Security The perimeter of your garden should mark your first line of defence. A strong fence, including trellising, to a total maximum height of 2 metres (6 7 ) will enhance your

3 3 security by making it harder for thieves to get into your back garden (anything higher may require planning permission). You can make your fences more effective by planting prickly plants next to the fences or training them through the trellising. Popular hostile plants include Pyracantha, Hawthorne and Berberis. Gates should be of sufficient height and construction to prevent climbing. It is important that you fit a padlock or other type of strong lock to the inside of all gates that allow access to your rear garden. For more detailed advice on garden security and defensible planting contact the Redbridge Police Crime Prevention Office for a free copy of the booklet A Secure Garden. Home Security Lighting Lighting used in the right way and in the right circumstances is a proven deterrent in preventing crime. At the same time, it has the added benefit of enhancing the aesthetic characteristics of a garden. In most domestic situations the most suitable external lighting for security is a low energy security light controlled by a photo electric cell or timer. This will automatically come on at dusk and go off again at dawn. This type of security lighting provides a warm friendly light that is unlikely to annoy neighbours, and has minimal running costs due to the low wattage bulbs used. If fitted they should be placed out of easy reach at a height of eight to ten feet. This would be capable of illuminating an average sized rear garden, helping to create a more aesthetically pleasing and reassuring environment. Many homes have a floodlight controlled by a passive infra-red movement sensor (PIR). They have proved popular because many people think that PIR is the right thing in security terms. Whilst these are effective in certain circumstances they are energy inefficient, can require regular bulb replacement, and have a harsh intrusive light which in many cases can be a nuisance to neighbours. Wild or domestic animals can often set them off, and many are so unreliable that householders quickly discredit them. If you do fit a PIR light or have one already, then it is recommended that you use a bulb of 100 Watts or less to reduce the glare and increase bulb life.

4 4 Shed Security (c) (d) & (e) (a) &(b) The standard garden shed is not designed as a secure store and you should consider carefully what you keep in it. If you intend to store items of value it is recommended that the following security measures be taken. Ensure that the structure of your shed is sound and that all windows and doors fit properly. Replace any damaged or rotten areas with new sections. Once you are happy that the fabric of your shed is sound then start improving the physical security. (a) Fit at least one good quality closed shackle padlock and solid hasp (preferably fit two). (See overleaf for a description of a closed shackle padlock). (b) Secure the padlock hasp firmly to the shed, by using threaded coach bolts and bolt them through the wood to a backing plate on the inside of the shed. This prevents the hasp being levered off of the door or frame. (See page 9 for a description of hasps and coach bolts.) (c) Most sheds have hinges fitted to the outside of the door (stable hinges). If this is the case then secure them by the same method as the padlock hasps. Alternatively, use non-returnable screws, or use cross thread screws in the hinges and then drill the heads so that they cannot be undone.

5 5 Windows are another vulnerable area where a thief can gain easy access. Remember that it is no good securing the door if the windows are an easy target. It is therefore very important that any windows in your shed are secured along the following lines. (d) Replace any broken glass in the windows, and if they open then fit key operated window locks or screw them permanently shut from inside. (e) Fit wire mesh to the inside of the window frames. If a window is not required then consider boarding it up. A good idea is to fit net curtains to the windows. If you have made your shed hard to break into, then a thief may go elsewhere if he cannot see what is inside. The following general precautions are also worth bearing in mind. (f) Any tools or other items left in the shed should be kept out of sight. (g) When not in use, lawn mowers, spades and forks etc should be kept chained to the inside of the shed. It is an unfortunate fact that burglars sometimes use garden or DIY tools, taken from a shed, to break into the house. (h) Consider fitting a shed alarm. They are effective, easy to fit, and can be purchased from most reputable security outlets and DIY stores for around Property mark your garden equipment and tools etc. It is one of the cheapest and most effective forms of crime prevention. Closed Shackle Padlocks A closed shackle padlock is a padlock where the hook is set close to the body of the lock and/or protected around the sides. These locks make it much harder for a thief to cut or lever them off. Ordinary Padlock Closed Shackle Padlock

6 6 Garage Security Like sheds, garages are often an easy target for thieves. Whether you keep your car in the garage or use it as a storage area, most people have something inside that would be of interest to a thief. Consequently, everyone should take measures to adequately secure their garage. The guidelines here can be applied to both detached and integral garages. Like sheds, the level of security can be determined by what you keep in it. (a) - (e) (f) (g) (j) As a minimum, side doors and windows should be secured as per the recommendations on shed security. If your garage has a door that leads directly into your home then make sure this door is of a solid construction at least 44mm thick, conforming to fire regulations. It should be secured with a 5-lever sash lock to British Standard BS3621 and two security bolts fixed top and bottom. If you have an integral door between your garage and your home, or you store valuable items inside your garage, then an increased level of security is required and should incorporate the following guidelines.

7 7 External Side Doors And Windows (a) Doors should be of a solid core construction, a minimum of 44mm thick, supported by three 100mm hinges. The frame should be of a similar robust construction, securely bolted or screwed to the main structure of the garage. (b) The door should be secured either by the use of padlocks or by fitting good quality 5-lever mortice and sash locks. (c) If padlocks are used, then fit two closed shackle padlocks on strong hasps, one a third of the way up from the bottom of the door, and one a third of the way down from the top of the door (See page 5 for a description of a closed shackle padlock). (d) Padlock hasps should be firmly secured to the door and frame, by using threaded coach bolts bolted through the wood to a backing plate on the inside of the garage. This prevents the hasp being levered off of the door or frame. (See page 9 for a description of hasps and coach bolts.) (e) If a traditional lock is to be used, then it is recommended that you fit a 5-lever mortice sash lock conforming to British Standard BS3621. (f) Surface mounted hinges (stable hinges) are not recommended, but if they are in use then they should be secured by the same method as the padlock hasps. Whatever type of hinges, if the door opens outwards, then fit hinge bolts at the hinge edge approximately 150mm below the top hinge and 150mm above the bottom hinge (See page 10 for description of hinge bolts). (g) Replace any broken glass in the windows, and if they open then fit key operated window locks or screw them permanently shut from inside. Consider fitting wire mesh to the inside of the window frames. As for sheds, if natural light is not required in the garage then it is worth considering permanently boarding up the windows. It is a good idea to fit net curtains to the windows. If you have made your garage hard to break into, then a thief may go elsewhere if he cannot see what is inside. Vehicle Access Doors (Up And Over Doors) (h) Up and over garage doors normally have just one central lock. Unfortunately this is not usually an effective deterrent against the determined thief. The best way to secure your door depends on whether you normally open it from the inside or the outside. (i) If you open the door from the inside, then the security can be greatly enhanced at little expense. If your door operates on runners, when the door is closed drill a hole in each runner, just above where the wheels stop. If you put a U-bar or open shackle padlock through the holes, then the door will not be able to be opened without the padlocks being taken off. Alternatively, fit key operated press bolts to the inside of the door near to the bottom corners. (See page 10 for a description of a press bolt.)

8 8 (j) If you open the garage door on the outside then you can adequately secure it using a variation of the following principles. As a minimum, you should fit two closed shackle padlocks and hasps a short way up from the bottom of the door. These should be secured using coach bolts secured onto backing plates (See page 9 for details). Alternatively, or in addition, a further security option is to install a vehicle security post immediately outside the door. When in use, this stops the garage door from opening. Typical Design Of A Good Quality Security Post Vehicle Access Doors (Double Doors) (k) If the main entrance to your garage consists of double or folding doors that swing open on hinges, many of the same principles apply as to the side door. (l) It is recommended that you secure the final closing door using two closed shackle padlocks on strong hasps, one a third of the way up from the bottom of the door, and one a third of the way down from the top of the door (See page 5 for a description of a closed shackle padlock). (m) Secure the padlock hasps firmly to the door and frame, by using threaded coach bolts and bolt them through the wood to a backing plate on the inside of the garage. This prevents the hasp being levered off of the door or frame. (See page 9 for a description of hasps and coach bolts.) (n) Each closing section should be fitted with strong bolts top and bottom on the inside. General Garage Security (o) If your house has an alarm system, then in most cases it could be extended to cover the garage as well. A cheaper option is to install a low cost garage or shed alarm. These are readily available from reputable security outlets and DIY stores. Property mark your garden equipment and tools etc. It is one of the cheapest and most effective forms of crime prevention.

9 9 How To Secure Padlock Hasps To Your Shed Or Garage Door Inside Of Shed Outside Of Shed Backing Plate Hasp Nuts Threaded Coach Bolts Threaded Coach Bolts Hasp Threaded coach bolts are like normal nuts and bolts, except that the head of the bolt is rounded so that it cannot be undone with a spanner or screwdriver.

10 10 Hinge Bolts If you have an outward opening door with normal hinges, then the hinges can be attacked by thieves. By fitting hinge bolts the door cannot be opened from the hinge side if the hinges are forced. Fit the hinge bolts 150mm below the top hinge and 150mm above the bottom hinge. Hinge Bolt 150mm Key Operated Press Bolts Key operated press bolts are suitable for the inside and outside of garage and shed doors, and can be used for many other types of door such as French doors. Door Key Hole

11 11 Property Marking Property marking is one of the cheapest and most effective forms of crime prevention. All you have to do is use an ultra-violet marker pen or etch your garden tools etc with your postcode followed by your house number. This will provide a unique reference number, which would help the police to recover your property if it was ever stolen (ie IG6 1QB1 is identifiable as Barkingside Police Station, 1 High Street, Barkingside, IG6 1QB). UV pens (priced about 1) and etching kits are available from reputable DIY stores. Free leaflets on property marking, and stickers, warning potential thieves that your property is marked, are available from the Redbridge Police Crime Prevention Office. For further information on any crime prevention matters please contact your Safer Neighbourhood Team or the Redbridge Police Crime Prevention Office on Help Us To Help You In Redbridge Crime prevention advice is given freely, without the intention of creating a contract. Neither does the Metropolitan Police Service take any other legal responsibility for advice given.