News
Officers use web to sheducate
Dated: 30 Apr 2012
[View Full Size]Police in Sunderland are going online to give out shed security advice.
The arrival of spring brings with it a rise in opportunist thieves targeting poorly secured sheds, often containing high value items.
With this in mind, Farringdon Neighbourhood Beat Manager PC Kevin Foggin has taken a starring role in a short film showing people how to fit a shed alarm.
These relatively inexpensive items allow people to add a personal code to set the alarm when leaving the shed and to deactivate it. The device is triggered by sudden movement and lets out a high pitched alarm if the code isn't entered.
The film will be uploaded to Northumbria Police's You Tube channel which can be accessed via the force website. It's also hoped the video can be added to Sunderland City Council's website to spread the crime prevention message further afield.
Neighbourhood Sergeant Colin Stephenson said: "Shed burglaries do rise at this time of year.
"We know a lot of people are taking crime prevention measures to stop thieves but we want everyone to take steps to secure their property. This video is another way of getting the message across to as many people as possible.
"I hope people take advantage of the advice on offer so they don't become a victim of crime."
Officers in Farringdon have a quantity of shed alarms to give away funded by the Local Multi-Agency Problem Solving initiative (LMAPS), made up of police and partners, including Sunderland City Council. These come with a sign stating the shed is alarmed.
Sgt Stephenson added: "People can either pop into Farringdon police station or speak to their local officers or Community Support Officers to request a shed alarm which will be given out on a first come first served basis.
"If you're unable to get an alarm, there are still lots of preventative measures that can be taken such as using a good quality padlock and making sure the shed is always locked.
"Any valuables stored inside should be secured to each other or the shed fabric and marked with a postcode and house number.
"Bikes in particular need additional security locks and chains within the garage or shed.
"By working together, we can keep shed burglars at bay and continue to cut crime across Sunderland."
Stuart Douglass, Lead Policy Officer for Community Safety at Sunderland City Council, added: "Through the Safer Sunderland Partnership, the City Council works very closely with its crime prevention partners at Northumbria Police.
"Simple crime prevention measures such as using shed alarms are an easy way for residents to help keep their property safe and reduce the risks of garden and allotment shed break-ins.
“The advice from Northumbria Police is very timely as the daylight hours become longer."
PC Kevin Foggin pictured with the shed alarm
View the film by following the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1J8bXq6yjo&feature=youtu.be
Further crime prevention advice is available via the Northumbria Police website: