How safe is your shed?

Most people use their shed to store garden equipment, bicycles and even expensive power tools. Yet, often, sheds are fitted with inadequate locks, or no lock at all.

Since June last year, over seventy-one victims in South Devon had their sheds broken into and property stolen. Almost half of these occurred in Teignbridge.

Fourteen sheds were broken into in Torquay and twelve across Ivybride and Kingsbridge. The areas reporting the fewest number of break-ins were Totnes, Dartmouth, Paignton and Brixham.

To reduce this type of crime, Police have teamed with South Devon & Dartmoor Community Partnership to encourage owners to check the security of their sheds and outbuildings.

Neil Ralph, Chief Inspector for South Devon said “Opportune thieves will access a shed that has been left insecure, knowing items of value are stored inside. We urge people to think about the security”.

To keep your sheds and out buildings safe, please use a heavy duty lock and where possible, avoid leaving expensive power tools inside. Also, check your shed regularly for damage.

“Please register all valuables including bikes, power tools and garden equipment with www.immobilise.com and ensure your home insurance covers items stored in sheds/outbuildings” added Chief Inspector Ralph.