Police warning after garden thefts

Garden furniture and equipment has be stolen from local homes over the summer months.

A police spokesman said: "Thieves are always on the lookout for an easy target and expensive lawnmowers, garden ornaments or tools left unattended in gardens or in unlocked sheds and garages provide them with the perfect opportunity."

The police have issued advice for home owners for protecting them against crime.

-Never leave garages and sheds unlocked

-Use substantial padlocks on shed doors, dead head vulnerable screws on hinges and bolts

-Cover shed and garage windows on the inside so that criminals can’t see in. Sometimes being able to see into a garage can be like looking into a shop window.

-Secure valuable ornaments or statues by cementing them to a footing.

-Protect perimeters with thorny, spiky hedges and use trellis on top of fencing.

-Secure ladders to permanent fixtures.

-Weigh down containers with bricks inside the pots

-Have photographs taken of any antique garden statues

-Mark lawnmowers and other garden tools with your postcode followed by your house number by using a permanent marker or engraver.

-Chain bicycles together and secure the chain to a solid structure.

For further information on crime prevention the local crime prevention officer can be contacted on 0845 600 8000.