8 May 2013

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

Mid Sussex residents are being encouraged to add extra security to their garden this spring by snapping up a low cost shed alarm.

With unseasonably cold weather in March and early April this year, it’s easy to forget that the warmer temperatures of spring and summer are just around the corner. As the weather heats up, opportunities for thieves can also increase with open windows, insecure sheds and gardening tools left out.

The Mid Sussex Community Safety Partnership is keen to help residents protect their property and is giving local people the opportunity to purchase affordable shed alarms as part of a spring crime prevention campaign.

Residents are being offered the chance to purchase shed alarms at a reduced rate of £7.00, which is £8 cheaper than the normal retail price of £15.00. This relatively inexpensive item will help residents to protect their belongings and keep crime levels low in the District. The discounted shed alarms are available to buy from Town Council Help Points in Burgess Hill, East Grinstead and Haywards Heath.

Residents are also being encouraged to take a few simple steps that will help to keep their shed safe and secure;

• Use a good quality padlock or mortice lock on the door of your shed
• Protect the boundary and access to your garden with fences, walls and lockable gates
• Make sure the door panel on your shed is strong enough
• Put up security lighting around your shed
• Lock valuable items together to prevent them being removed easily
• Help to track your property by registering it for FREE at www.immobilise.com

“Mid Sussex is a low crime area and if we all work together to prevent crime then we can help to ensure it stays that way,” said Councillor Christopher Snowling, Cabinet Member for Health and Community. “These low cost shed alarms are a quick and easy way to add a little extra protection against thieves. Making life hard for opportunist crooks goes a long way towards keeping our crime levels low and making sure Mid Sussex continues to be one of the safest places in the country to live.”

For more information about crime prevention in Mid Sussex, contact the Mid Sussex District Council Community Safety team on 01444 477550 or email communitysafety@midsussex.gov.uk.