Keep your home and garden secure this summer

As the weather improves and many people are spending more time in their gardens or away from home, it can increase opportunities for criminals to target homes.

Warmer weather means people tend to spend more time outdoors, using gardening, leisure equipment or going on trips. This can leave homes vulnerable to burglars who are on the lookout for open windows and doors, or valuable items left out in the garden or stored in poorly secured outbuildings.

If you are out enjoying the garden, make sure you lock expensive items away, when you are finished and secure outbuildings and gates. If you are leaving your home empty to go out for day trips or longer holidays, make sure your home is left secure.

Detective Superintendent Ant Alcock, from the Local Policing Command, said: ‘Many people are out enjoying the weather at this time of year, either in their gardens or perhaps leaving homes empty for days or weeks at a time. Burglars will target homes if windows are left open or doors unlocked, as well as outbuildings, which tend to have less security than homes, but can still contain valuable items.

‘Make sure any tools that could assist a burglar, like ladders, trowels, hammers etc, are locked away and ensure outbuildings are as secure as possible, with strong locks or even an alarmed padlock. Consider installing doorbell/external cameras and dusk till dawn security lights and planting defensive plants like roses along your borders, and make sure fences are in good condition, to keep your home safe. Remember to close windows and lock doors when you are going out, even when the weather gets warmer.’

Some easy ways to keep you home secure this summer:

• Close and lock all windows, doors and outbuildings
• Use timers on lights so that they turn on as it gets dark in the evenings. You could also use a timer switch for a radio (always follow manufacturer’s instructions)
• Installing a doorbell camera and internal/external Wi-Fi cameras, is a low-cost deterrent which will allow you to keep an eye on your home whilst you are away
• Ask your neighbour to put your rubbish or recycling bins back if they’re being collected whilst you’re away
• Consider moving enticing items, such as laptops and mobile devices, so that they are out of sight
• You could also ask someone you trust to help give your home a lived-in look by opening and drawing the curtains, taking in any free newspapers and moving your mail away from the letterbox
• Join the community messaging platform Herts Connected at hertsconnected.co.uk where you will receive free local police messages. You can also choose to receive messages from Neighbourhood Watch, Report Fraud and the Police and Crime Commissioner if that’s what you select when you sign up
• Secure your rear garden by locking entry gates with a padlock
• Tools and gardening equipment should be visibly marked with your postcode and house number – this can deter thieves and help police identify the rightful owner
• Make access to the rear of your property difficult, keep rear/side gates closed and locked and ensure boundary walls/fences are in good repair
• Keep wheelie bins secured so they cannot be moved or used as climbing aids
• Most bicycles are stolen from home so ensure they are kept in secure sheds, outbuildings and garages. Consider installing ground anchors if you have a concrete floor. If not, look for security rated products specifically for wooden and metal sheds
• Take extra security precautions for storing expensive bikes, it is recommended that they are security marked and registered at www.bikeregister.com

For more detailed security advice, please visit www.herts.police.uk/protectyourhome.