Don’t give burglars the tools for the job

Police are urging residents not to make life easier for burglars by leaving tools around that can be used to gain entry into properties.

Over the past couple of weeks, even though burglary numbers have remained low in the town, there has been an increase in burglaries where the victim’s own belongings have been used to force entry.

Reading Crime Reduction Officer, John McNicholas said: “It must be really frustrating as well as upsetting to realise that you have been burgled, but to find out that you have helped the burglar to get in must make you feel worse.

“Insecure garden sheds containing your tools make it a lot easier for a burglar to force open the doors and windows of your house.

“Whereas before the Christmas period we were dealing more with the letterbox entry style burglaries, there is an emerging trend since then of offences where the householder unwittingly supplies the means to commit the crime.

“There are a number of steps people can take to make like more difficult for burglars.”

John’s security tips:

• Review the effectiveness of your garden perimeter.
• Remove any items in the garden that could be used as a lever for the wrong purpose.
• Do not store high valuable goods in sheds.
• Ensure that the shed is robust enough to be a secure place for what you have stored.
• Use good quality locks and ensure that hinges are not exposed.
• If you are buildinga shed, try and site it within view of your house or a neighbour’s.
• Use security lighting to help you see the shed at night.
• Mark all of the contents with your postcode and house number.