The humble garden shed has increasingly become a happy hunting ground for thieves. With security on many houses upgraded traditional burglars are actually opting for easy pickings at the end of the garden.
The shed, garage or out-building is more often far easier to break into, and less likely to be alarmed. Many sheds these days carry more stock than a small hardware corner shop, with household and garden DIY power tools neatly arranged on shelves or stowed on purpose made brackets and clips.
From the villains' perspective such items are small, lightweight and easier to make off with than a TV, computer or mini hi-fi system. Although cheaper to buy than some household items they are expensive enough to buy new that they carry a healthy second-hand value and can be quite sought after.
At the end of the day the best ploy is to defend all your property from theft.
Sheds are notoriously easy to break into. A padlock (cheap or expensive), fitted on a flimsy clasp, held by a couple of tiny screws in a soft timber door-frame, offers no real protection. Windows are even less secure whilst some thieves have been known to jemmy off a whole shed panel or roof to get inside. Once in, the tools themselves are ready-to-hand and unlikely to be security marked.
A better-designed or built shed is a good start but thereafter think about where the shed is sited. Consider using floodlighting to illuminate that part of the garden and fitting mains or battery powered alarms.
Firmly secure the shed door and windows and make sure the shed is actually anchored to the ground. Again it has been known for shed to be lifted up and moved to gain access to the equipment inside.
A good idea is to fit a wire cage inside your shed where more expensive items can be stowed and locked away. You may not be able to stop determined thieves from getting into a shed, but you can delay them in terms of the time it takes to get their hands on your possessions. No thief wants to hang about longer than they have to.
You should also bear in mind, that if a low-life breaks into your shed, they will probably have access to all the tools they'll need to break into your house! Let me secure your shed/outhouse - free estimates