News Release
Shed built in town centre
Dated: 22 Nov 2011
Police and Safer South Tyneside have built a shed in South Shields town centre to raise awareness of shed security.
The initiative follows a number of incidents where sheds have been broken into, often where they’ve been left unlocked or the lock hasn’t been secure.
To tackle the issue, South Shields Neighbourhood Policing Team, in partnership with Safer South Tyneside, built the shed in King Street on Monday.
Officers were on hand to highlight the importance of keeping sheds secure as well as handing out crime prevention advice to passers by.
During the day 163 people received crime prevention advice, 500 people were given a purse bell and 120 people were given a UV pen to security mark their property.
In addition, 35 people entered a competition to win a shed alarm.
Extra patrols will be carried out in the areas worst affected by the break-ins and police will continue to target suspected of being responsible.
South Shields Neighbourhood Inspector Peter Sutton, said: “Overall crime continues to fall across South Tyneside, but there has been a slight rise in the number of shed burglaries and we’re working closely with partner agencies, to tackle this.
“We want to raise awareness to people of the steps they can take to help stop themselves from being a victim of crime. Often people might not realise the value of the items they keep in a shed but it can all add up. If the shed gets broken into and the items stolen it’s not just a huge inconvenience but an extra expense as well.
“The aim of building the shed in the town centre is to raise awareness to people of the security devices they need to be looking out for and highlight how people can help stop their shed being broken into.
"Police continue target those suspected of being responsible and we’re urging people to help us by making it even more difficult for them.
“We're committed to working with our partner agencies to make the area even safer.”
For more information and crime prevention advice visit the Northumbria Police website www.northumbria.police.uk