Checking our security after intruder in the garden.

davey4444

This morning our neighbour called to say that she thinks that we had an intruder in our garden last night so I'm writing to see what suggestions people have in order to add a bit more security.

We live in a terraced house and the only way to our back garden (apart from throught the house) it via our neighbour's garden. Both gardens have small 3ft latch gates with no locks on them and are always kept closed because she has a little dog.
This morning both gates were open and we think that the padlock on our shed has been moved as 99% of the time I leave it pointing downwards to stop the rain getting in.

In light of this I'm looking to making sure that our house is secure as the shed is probably as good as it can get and we're unable to put in higher fences/gates around the back.

We have upvc windows throughout and I've made sure that these are all locked when we're out of the house. At the back we have a upvc door and a upvc french door and the front door is wooden with a 'standard, basic' yale lock, deadlock and chain.
I'm thinking of changing the yale lock to a beefy nightlatch and possibly putting a bolt in too. At the back I'm unsure what can be done to secure the doors any more than what we have at the moment.

Additionally we're thinking about putting in a PIR security light in the back.

Does anyone have any suggestions of what else we should and shouldn't be doing?
Thanks.

evoke

A bright security floodlight with PIR sensors will scare away most scumbag vermin thieves. You can also alarm your shed. If it doesn't have power then a rechargeable battery-operated alarm with PIR sensors would work.

I'd also stick 'neighbourhood watch', 'alarmed' or 'cctv' warning stickers in easily visible areas like the shed door and your rear windows.

Finally, get yourself a panic alarm (the hand-operated horn type) and if you see the vermin prowling around in your back garden just open your window and let the panic alarm off.

Unfortunately, due to the pro-criminal and anti-victim laws of our country, you can only do so much to protect your property as taking proper action would infringe the human rights of the vermin. Personally, i'd connect the shed lock and door handle to the mains but that would be illegal and the vermin might get toasted so I can't recommend that.

hippyadam

Speak to your local area crime prevention officer. They will happily give you some tips

johnjackson

Get an alarm mine and set it so that pets cannot set it off. It'll scare the preverbial excrement out of any intruder ;-)

Owain_Moneysaver

Prickly plants like pyracanthus and berberis. Pea shingle on paths - it's noisy and burglars hate it.

diable

I think you may be over reacting..........

cossie23

i bought one of these. Not expensive and works a treat. Lots of extras can be added such as panic alarm if required.

cossie23

ooop! as a new user i cant post links. Try ultrasecure direct and look for XL range. Good bit of kit.

Ms_Magnetite

And most importantly, get your tools out of the shed now.

Then change your little gate for something meatier, put nasty prickly stuff down to grow and get a locksmith in. And check your household insurance covers stuff in sheds before you consider putting it back with reinforced hinges and hasp mountings.

carefullycautious

http://rottweilertraining.homestead.com/Rottweiler3.jpg

Might help

shegar

carefullycautious wrote: »

http://rottweilertraining.homestead.com/Rottweiler3.jpg

Might help

Get a 12 bore and sit in the garden all night ....!!!!!!!!!!!