Following on from the thread called 'Mill Store Robbed' by Harry (now on page 2 as I write) re the break ins at Crabble Corn Mill ..here is an update on the general situation just in from Kent Police. Many thanks to them.
People are being reminded to ensure their sheds, garages and outbuildings are locked and secure as Autumn approaches and gardening equipment is put away.
This comes as police have received a number of reports of break ins and attempted break ins of sheds and outbuildings in the River area of Dover in the last few months.
The latest one occurred between Friday, September 21 and Monday, September 24 at an address in Lower Road, River, Dover when the owners noticed their garden ornaments, two lions had been stolen. They also noticed hacksaw marks on the padlock to their van and the garage door had been bent in an attempt to prise it open.
Local neighbourhood PCSO Janet Claringbould said: "The attempts to break into the van and garage failed, but shows the intent that offenders had but the ornaments were of sentimental value to the owners. One lion is a large 3ft terracotta one and the smaller one was painted bright yellow with a red smile.
Anyone with information should call Kent Police on 101 and quote reference ZY/27240/12. "
PCSO Claringbould also added: "Garden sheds, outbuildings and garages packed with tools, machinery and other valuable equipment offer easy pickings to thieves. Take the right precautions to help reduce the risk of having your property stolen, and getting it traced and returned to you if it is taken."
One deterrent to thieves, who do not want to be caught holding or passing on stolen items is to security mark your property.
The police recover many items that have been lost or stolen. By security marking items that have financial or sentimental value, it is easier for the police to identify them and return them to you if they are stolen.
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Secure your home and garden:
Avoid leaving house doors or windows open or unlocked when working in the garden.
Prevent unwanted visitors from entering your garden by maintaining hedges and fences.
Close your garden gate and lock it from the inside using a suitable lock.
Secure sheds with close shackle padlocks.
Consider fitting shed alarms and security lights.
Put away tools and garden equipment:
Store tools. ladders and equipment somewhere secure after use.
Use lockable hanging baskets or secure the baskets to their brackets.
Chain together items like lawn mowers, bikes and other large machinery when not in use, or secure them to a solid anchor point
Protect valuable items
Security-mark your property using a UV pen or a forensic marking solution.
Photograph and record details of valuable equipment (make, model, serial number and identifying marks) for easy identification.
Consider registering valuables on a property database such as
www.immobilise.com
