Bright garage door & security door.

Securing Gardens, Sheds & Garages

Gardens, sheds and garages often contain expensive items such as lawnmowers, bikes and tools. Therefore, they are commonly targeted by thieves. We worked in partnership with Secured by Design to create this guide to securing gardens, sheds and garages. Secured by Design is the police initiative that improves the security of buildings and their immediate surroundings. This guide aims to help you ensure that your garden and outbuildings are protected against potential intruders.

  • Check your shed and garage for signs of decay, which may provide an opportunity for a thief.
  • Look to strengthen the door and frame. Hinges should be secured with coach bolts or non-return screws. Use strong padbars and close shackle padlocks.
  • Think of securing the windows with grilles or heavy wire mesh to increase window security, and use net curtains to deter casual viewing of your property.
  • Register expensive items with a commercial database or use a forensic marker to increase your chance of getting them back if stolen.
  • A ground anchor is a chain or strong point set into the ground to which you can secure valuable items within the shed or garage. Use one which meets Sold Secured Gold standard or Secured by Design.
  • To secure an existing garage door, buy a garage defender. These bolt into the ground in front of the garage and stop it from being opened until you unlock it and drop it flat. Make sure it’s Sold Secure Silver or Gold standard.
  • If you have a door connecting the garage to the house, make sure this has the same level of security as your front door, fitting locks that meet BS 3621, or fitting a door that meets PAS 24.

Many people focus on securing their front doors, and forget about their windows and secondary doors. These are actually the most common access points for thieves.

  • When buying new windows, install windows which are certified to British Standard PAS 24: Enhanced security performance requirements for doorsets and windows in the UK.
  • Window locks are essential on ground floors and above flat roofs. They can be retro fitted to many windows.
  • Glazing may be protected from being smashed with the addition of accredited adhesive window film.
  • Consider securing the windows with fixed or retractable grilles. These provide both a visual and physical deterrent against attack.
  • Patio doors and conservatories are vulnerable. If they are not secure, install additional locks and security blocks to stop lifting or forced entry.
  • When buying patio doors, ask for the sliding section to be on the inside, and for anti-lift blocks. Multi-locking systems are recommended, or have mortise security bolts with removable keys at the top and bottom of both doors.

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