Tools stolen from Hathersage shed

A cement mixer, saw and lawn mower were taken after offenders forced the lock of a garden shed on Ninelands Road sometime between 8pm on Saturday and 7.30am on Sunday.

Police have now issued a security reminder to encourage residents to further protect their property from criminals.

Simple steps for boosting shed and garden security include:

• Fit a good quality lock to secure your shed, garage or outbuilding and make sure that it is appropriate to the strength of the door and frame;

• Consider purchasing a shed alarm to help to deter a thief and secure any bikes with a quality chain even if they are inside the shed or garage;

• Ensure that valuables are kept out of view from passers-by and consider covering your windows from the inside to prevent thieves from taking a look;

• Mark all valuables with a property marking system such as SmartWater as this makes your belongings much less attractive to thieves as they realise that the goods can easily be identified as stolen and traced back to the original owner;

• Don’t leave items in your garden that could make the life of a thief any easier. For example, a ladder left out in your garden could be used to get into the upper floor of your home or onto the top of your shed. Likewise, other tools and gardening equipment left outside could be used to break into your home. Just taking a few minutes to lock these items away will greatly increase your security.

Officers are actively encouraging residents to report suspicious behaviour to them on 101 to help to stop a crime from happening.

Anyone with any information about the above crime is asked to contact PCSO Anthony Boswell on 101, quoting crime number 19505/15.