Press Release from Central Scotland Police - for more information visit www.centralscotland.police.uk

Garden security is very much a seasonal problem with the main problems being experienced with an increase in gardening activity in the spring/summer and as it approaches a close in the autumn.The biggest problem area is thefts from locked and unlocked sheds, garages and outhouses. 

The reason that these are such a magnet to the thief is simple – people keep large amounts of valuable items, petrol lawnmowers, mountain bikes, strimmers, etc, which can have a combined value well into four figures –and all in something that is nothing more than a wooden box sitting out in the open

Heavy duty lock fully encased with 'Anti Vandal' screws, ideal for use on a garden shed.

The simple message is the obvious one – don't keep items of value in your garden shed in the first place. If you have no alternative then fit a good hasp with blank headed coach bolts which go all the way through the wood. 

This should be complemented with the use of a good quality padlock preferably with closed shoulders to prevent bolt cutters being used. 

Any windows should be blocked up or covered with a net curtain to prevent people seeing inside and, finally, fit an alarm to warn of any intrusions. 

Garden furniture should be put away for the winter as it has value to the thief either to sell or to use for climbing on to reach an otherwise inaccessible window in your house. 

The same goes for ladders and garden tools which can all be used to assist the thief in breaking into your house. These should be locked away after use every day. 

A good idea is to use a bicycle combination lock chain to secure all your tools together making it impossible to carry them off one by one. 

You should also ensure that all your garden furniture and tools are postcoded to aid identification if recovered by the police.

Thought should be given to your boundary fence or wall which should be constructed in such a way as to prevent climbing. 

The use of 'aggressive' planting in these areas with Berberis, Hawthorn, Pyracantha, Holly, Roses etc all help to deter intruders.

Remember, however, to keep planting in front of windows low as you do not want to obstruct these from view giving the thief a good place for concealment whilst he sets about breaking in through the hidden window.

Finally, think light – good quality white light, uniformly distributed. Try to avoid large 'lumps' of light in one area through the use of powerful floodlights. Use passive infra red operated lights to provide illumination to your doors and windows, especially those at the rear of your property. 

This is one of the greatest deterrents to theft from your garden and provides enhanced security to your house.

For further information and advice on this and other aspects of home and personal security please contact your local community officer or Architectural Liaison Officer at Police Headquarters, or your Community Safety Officer at your local Police Station.

Pc 584 Roy Mitchell,
Area Constable,
Alloa Town Centre and North.

Press Release from Central Scotland Police - for more information visit www.centralscotland.police.uk

Vandalism and anti-social behaviour, which cause communities in the Forth Valley the biggest concern, continued to decrease last year, according to the latest recorded annual crime statistics.

Vandalism and anti-social behaviour, which cause communities in the Forth Valley the biggest concern, continued to decrease last year, according to the latest recorded annual crime statistics.

Central Scotland's Chief Constable Kevin Smith pointed to decreases in these two areas as a particular highlight of the past 12 months in his annual report covering 2010-2011.

The report published today (May 20) also signalled longer term drops in recorded crime levels, despite an overall minor increase in the past year.

Mr Smith's annual report was presented to the Central Scotland Joint Police Board, along with the recorded crime figures from 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011.

The Chief Constable said as well as reductions in vandalism and anti-social behaviour the force had made significant in-roads into disrupting serious and organised crime, achieved further reductions in injuries on the roads and enhanced public protection and the safety of the most vulnerable in our communities.

Mr Smith said: "Although there was an overall increase in recorded crime last year, it was less than one per cent compared to the previous year. The force detection rate remains high at nearly 59 per cent. However, analysis should reassure the public that over the longer-term period crime levels are falling.

"The picture over the past three years is that in almost every category of crime, the levels of crime being recorded are falling. In areas that the public repeatedly tell us cause them concern, such as vandalism and anti-social behaviour, the figures are positive. Other areas are also reducing including housebreaking, a crime which can obviously have a significant impact on peoples' lives.

"The message to the public in Central Scotland is that there are fewer victims of crime in this area.

"That does not mean, however, we are in any way, shape or form, complacent. Crimes, such as those involving violence, increased last year. The overall number is low, but it is something we are aware of and are working hard to tackle. Thefts also increased, possibly linked to the economic climate and factors relating to the drugs market in Central Scotland.

"Every effort will continue to be taken by this force to identify and trace those responsible for such crime and to work with people who do become victims of crime."

In total 16,840 crimes were recorded in 2010-2011. The increase compared to the previous year was 0.7 per cent and the force detection rate was 58.8 per cent. The recorded crime total for 2010-2011 is more than nine per cent less than the three year average.

Group One crimes (involving violence) increased by 17 per cent - however four per cent less than the three year average. The force detection rate of 96 per cent far exceeds the national figure for Group One of 67 per cent.

Group Two crimes (involving indecency) saw a drop of four per cent last year, which is also lower than the three year average.

Within Group Three crimes (involving dishonesty), there was an overall increase of five per cent, however this is one per cent below the three year average. Theft by housebreaking fell by three per cent with drops in both domestic and commercial housebreakings. Theft of items such as plant machinery, metal and fuel and crimes including shopflifting may be influenced by the overall economic climate.

Within Group Four (malicious mischief), vandalism, which accounts for a quarter of all recorded crime, decreased by five per cent last year, with 4,192 such crimes recorded û 19 per cent below the three year average.

Although there was an overall drop in crimes recorded in Group Five (including bail and drug offences), the force placed significant efforts last year in attacking serious and organised crime in the area, with drugs worth ú6.4 million recovered and 67 arrests made, disrupting criminal enterprises across the force and beyond.

In the force's area commands, which deliver response and community policing and crime investigation: Falkirk saw an increase of 1.2 per cent in overall crime; Stirling experienced a decrease of 0.8 per cent; and Clackmannanshire experienced an increase of 1.6 per cent. Last year saw the merger of the Stirling and Clackmannanshire area commands into one.

Mr Smith said a number of challenges lay ahead for the force and for the police service in Scotland but added: "The priority is delivering the best possible policing for our communities in Central Scotland."