Police are advising south Essex residents about how to turn vulnerable garden sheds into mini-fortresses as thieves continue to enjoy easy pickings while summer lasts.

The humble garden shed has increasingly become a hunting ground for thieves as security on many houses has been upgraded.

A Southend police spokesman said: "A padlock fitted on a flimsy clasp, held by a couple of tiny screws in a timber doorframe offers no real protection. Windows are even less secure.

"A better-designed or built shed is a good start. Consider having floodlighting illuminating that part of the garden and fitting mains or battery powered alarms.

"A good idea is to fit a wire cage inside your shed where more expensive items can be stowed and locked away."

Published Tuesday August 31, 2004

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