Between Friday 5th Mar & Sun 7th mar there has been a spate of shed and garage breaks around Bramble Way/Whitelands/Burhill/Ring Leas/Gripps

Common and Prioridge areas of Cotgrave.

The majority of these offences occurred during the late evening or overnight. Forced entry being the most common means of gaining access.

Items stolen range from power tools to food from freezers.

>

> POLICE ADVICE:

>

> Ensure the security on your shed or garage is adequate to withstand > attack. Hasps and hinges should be secured with either non-return screws

> or dome headed carriage bolts, with metal reinforcement plate on both sides of the wood to spread loading. Padlocks should be of the closed

> shackle design with high shoulders to prevent cropping. Match padlocks to

> hasps, do not mix to save money. Seek professional advice if you are

> unsure.

>

> Consider purchasing a stand alone shed alarm, for only a few pounds from a

> DIY store or a garden centre or if you have an existing intruder alram in

> your home consider extending it to your shed.

>

> Obscure all windows, so that offenders cannot see inside.

>

> Indelibly mark all tools so that they are identifiable with your post code

> either by stamping, branding or one of the forensic marking fluids now

> available. This will lower the value to the thief when he tries to sell

> the items on.

>

> Fasten mowers, cycles etc together when not in use with a steel braided

> cable and a good quality padlock.

>

> Remember that a wooden shed is never really going to be secure. Do not

> store high value items in them if you can avoid it.

>

> This is the end of Ringmaster Message 1653.

>