POLICE are urging shed owners to be vigilant in Wrexham following recent burglaries.

Two reports were received by North Wales Police in the Green Park area of Erddig regarding sheds being broken into overnight on July 15.

A spokesman added: "A petrol lawnmower stolen from one shed and a power-washer from another. Please report any suspicious activity in your neighbourhood on 101 or via https://www.north-wales.police.uk/contact/live-chat-support."

Advice on the police website states that many of us store valuable items such as power tools or bicycles in our sheds, so it's important to make sure we keep them as secure as possible.

A few safety tips include:

  • Invest in a quality padlock - cheap ones can be easy to break
  • Change the screws in the shed door hinges and hasps to round head bolts that are fastened from the inside - this stops burglars just unscrewing them and lifting the door off
  • Think about installing a battery powered intruder alarm - if someone does break in then the noise may scare them off before they take anything
  • Display warning signs that the building is alarmed and covered by CCTV, to act as a deterrent
  • Consider whether you need windows in your shed (or garage) - boarding them up makes it harder for burglars to know if there's anything worth stealing inside
  • Secure bicycles to the ground or a wall if possible, so they can't just be lifted up and carried away
  • Check that your home insurance covers your garage and shed