THE police are asking people to be vigilant following reports of shed and garage break-ins in Denmead.

They have received reports of five burglaries in the past three weeks with thieves targeting sheds and garages and stolen bicycles.

The raids have been between 9pm and 7am and the value of the bikes stolen range from £400 to £1,500.

The burglaries were in Three Acres, Forest Mead, Hambledon Road, Ashling Gardens and Upper Piece.

Officers are looking to see if these incidents are linked, and are also carrying out targeted patrols.

As spokesman said “We would like to hear from anyone with information on these incidents. Have you been offered a bicycle for sale recently? Have you noticed anything suspicious? Perhaps something similar has happened to you recently and you have yet to report it to the police?” If so, call 101.

Advice

We would like to remind people of some measures they can take to protect their property:

• Use of good padlock on the door to your shed or garage with no exposed screws

• Keep it locked at all times

• Consider fitting a battery-operated shed alarm with a loud siren

• Secure your bike to the ground or lockable stand within a locked shed or garage. Visit https://www.soldsecure.com/ to search for ground anchors or other security products

• Think about what a thief might see from any window of your shed or garage. Keep your valuable items covered from view.

Visit www.hampshire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/non-residential-burglary/secure-shed.

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