Thieving b******s

[mrtcat]

Well it's 4.30 am and I'm sitting on the sofa with a cup of tea shaking with rage. We were woken by the sound of the burglar alarm on my studio. Some theiving sod has broken into my neighbours shed, stolen his pickaxe and used it to prize open the door to my studio which is in an outbuilding at the end of my garden.
Thankfully it seems that the burglar alarm did it's job and scared them off before they have managed to get hold of anything of value. I was up, out of bed and down the garden in a flash but clearly not quickly enough as there was no sign of anyone other than the security lights being on, the alarm ringing, a random pick axe and gardening fork on the ground and my studio door ajar. A good check through and I can't see anything missing.
I've spoken to police but there's nothing they can do now. Today is going to be spent improving security around the studio and house.
Feels like a very lucky escape but God I'm angry.

[PlungerModerno]

That's sickening - But it could be so much worse!
I'm glad nothing was wrecked or nicked (aside from the damage to your door and your neighbours).
My only advice is to be sensible with your security - Think carefully about fire saftey and your habits (don't make things so complicated you can't bypass them in a hurry or you (or those sharing your home) won't bother using them on a daily basis).

[steve-bbb]

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sorry to hear - infuriating when this happens - loads of options out there some cheap and some not so, like everything you get what you pay for and given your investment in studio equipment is worth spending a small amount on security to protect it

most importantly make some changes quickly and make them noticeable and visible, a determined burglar will return if they know or suspect there is something in your shed worth stealing and if they see no apparent attempts to improve the security they will probably try again

as well as the obvious cctv and pir floodlights as a longer term measure also consider planting protective shrubbery around the shed if possible to deter access, pyracantha or berberis is good for this.

also ask your neighbour politely, hopefully on friendly terms, to improve their security too, burglars often steal tools to use then abandon them rather than carry their own which can sometimes identify them

[Happy Jack]

This is particularly good advice, especially regarding the Pyracantha and Berberis.

Plants like this take years to become really fearsome so it's not a quick fix, but it IS a very cheap fix, it's organic and looks good, and with every passing year it becomes more of a deterrent.

Not recommended with toddlers and young children, mind.

[Skol303]

All good advice above.

These (and other Federal products) are also a good choice for hasp/staple locks:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Federal-Hasp-Staple-Extra-Heavy-Duty-SS-FD4025-/322019787001?nav=SEARCH

A little expensive, but worth every penny. Fit two: top and bottom of the door, with a sturdy key lock in between.

They're obviously dependent on the durability of whatever you fit them to - so a solid wall and door is recommended. But once fitted, they're about as good as you'll get (I've seen them used on shopfronts and lock ups, so more than adequate for domestic use).

Just bear in mind that if you reinforce the door, then any windows will become the target.

Oh and PS: I don't work for Federal!

Good luck getting it all sorted. Don't forget that they were already deterred, so any additional security is only going to deter them further - if they come back, which is no certainty.

Edited March 6, 2016 by Skol303

[leftybassman392]

+1 on the Pyracanthus. We had one in our garden for years, but I had to cut it down before we put the house out to rent. Quite possibly the nastiest and most dangerous thing I've ever had to do in a garden.

[philparker]

I'm glad nothing was taken, unless it was a targeted break-in it may have also surprised a thief looking for tools, power tools and gardening equipment, but now he knows what's inside I'm sure he may have a rethink about returning or discussing with his colleagues. Some good advice above - I would definitely consider CCTV!

[Cato]

The previous owner planted pyracantha across my back fence.

It really is the most evil plant I've ever come across.Even 'thorn proof' gauntlets don't provide adequate protection when cutting it back as the thorns just go straight through at the joints.

On the plus side I seriously doubt anyone is ever going to get over the back fence. Not without life threatening blood loss.

Edited March 6, 2016 by Cato

[colgraff]

The Met encourage shrubs. A good list of pros and cons here:

http://thecrimepreventionwebsite.com/garden-boundaries-fences-and-defensive-plants/618/defensive-plants-shrubs-and-trees-shrub-fences/

As one officer said, they are also very good DNA collectors.

[sunburstjazz1967]

People say alarms are useless but they do work if there are other buildings nearby, even big tough criminals tend to not be so brave with all that noise!

Edited March 6, 2016 by sunburstjazz1967

[chris_b]

This is the problem with people not locking their sheds properly. They provide all the tools to allow these scumbags to break into your house as well.

I'd ask all neighbours to put good locks on their sheds and use them.

[Roger2611]

It actually sounds like your security has done the job you asked it to, yes the scumbags did some damage but your alarm stepped in and scared them off, job done.....I would hope that the thief was put off by what was a close shave with a very angry property owner who could easily have been wielding a baseball bat. No opportunist thief is going to hang with an alarm ringing away, lights coming on in the house and threats of impending serious physical harm coming from an open window!

beef up your security if you feel the need to but if the thief is determined to have another go then irrespective of your security upgrades then they are still going to do damage.

I would be asking you neighbour to improve their security as next time they break into their shed, the tools may be used to break into their house instead!

I had the same situation last year when scumbags came in through next doors insecure gate and broke into our shed and stole our bikes..... neighbour requested to secure their gate, shed now fully alarmed and door stickered up saying "this shed is alarmed" bikes are now chained to a properly mounted floor anchor, half a pool cue by the back door, peace of mind not fully restored but it's the best I can do at the moment.

[mrtcat]

Thanks for all the great suggestions guys. My studio is in a log cabin type building which has a slate roof, double glazing etc and the door is a huge heavy, solid thing. The guy clearly really wanted in because in order to break the frame he actually bent the blade on the pick axe. He (assuming it was a he based on size of footprints in frosty lawn) got into one other house's outbuilding on the street before he got to mine. It looks like it was a planned and targeted thing because both myself and the guy at the other house are pest controllers. At the other place he ignored the guy's expensive gardening tools and took some pretty specialist pest control gear. I have a brick built chemical store with a heavy steel fireproof door but he didn't get even close to that.
I've ordered a couple of steel door bars that have fixings that bolt through the wall, a 4 camera cctv recorder and have spent the day putting up three new security lights. Access is via the side of the house and I will now park the van so tight that the only way in is to climb over the roof.
I take it as a very good lesson learned and I'm really pleased that we have the burglar alarm. We live in a quiet village with a ridiculously low crime rate but it's near the M1 and M40 so it gives would be thieves easy get away.
Spikey bushes are difficult because we have a 1yr old.

[colgraff]

[quote name='mrtcat' timestamp='1457275763' post='2996928']
Spikey bushes are difficult because we have a 1yr old.
[/quote]

By the time a spiky bush has thrown out spikes s/he will be a two year old and they learn what hurts and what doesn't hurts really quickly at that age so I wouldn't be concerned about that. My two both grew up in a pyracantha-inhabited garden with losing too many eyes or limbs; think of it as training for blackberry picking.

Edited March 6, 2016 by colgraff

[4stringslow]

Agreed. We had a lot of pyracantha at the previous house where kids grew up and it was never a problem for them. I'd go for it anytime.

[fleabag]

So, the police didnt even come round to check the pick axe for finger prints .. why not ? Budget cuts ?

A few years back i had my van broken into - not much to take, but they got away with some tools and other replaceables.

Called the feds but they weren't interested. They said it had been raining so there's no point. It wasn't raining inside my van says me.

Fell on deaf ears

[the boy]

You were lucky mate. Don't dwell on it. 99% of robberies are opportunistic, your alarm didn't give them the opportunity so it's unlikely they'll be back. Beef up security a bit and try not to let it get to you. Sorry it happened but learn from this and thank them for making you aware of potential weaknesses in your system and affording you the opportunity to do something about it. PMA baby......

[timmo]

No idea how big your shed is or looks like, but I have made mine look like an annexe. Get a doorbell and curtains and make it look like it is lived in. Also i have lights on a timer.

[colgraff]

[quote name='timmo' timestamp='1457308631' post='2997320']
No idea how big your shed is or looks like, but I have made mine look like an annexe. Get a doorbell and curtains and make it look like it is lived in. Also i have lights on a timer.
[/quote]

That is an excellent idea.

[ambient]

Sounds to me like they new it was a studio. They now know you have an alarm too.

[Twincam]

Hi sorry if ive missed this but I assume you have a fence around your garden.
One of the best relatively cheap security fixes is to put a trellis ontop of any walls or fencing. As its not stable so puts people off trying to get over it!

[Kevin Dean]

I'd start with a Sold Secure awarded Hasp & staple & padlock , the best priced ones are Federal , Squire do a good one . fit Hinge bolts , internal bars/ mesh on the windows .Sensor lights. If you cant afford an alarm start with a sign that says you have one . If you can ,get cctv that's relaid to you Home PC or phone .

[4stringslow]

The police offer home security advice - might be worth asking.
Also, check out the 'secured by design' initiative: http://www.securedbydesign.com

[tauzero]

Friends of mine run this company http://securityforbikes.com and the advice on there is worth looking at as it covers general shed and building security as well as bike (motor and push) security.

[ubit]

Buy a Rottwieller! Sic him onto the buggers. They might need to be very fleet footed to avoid having their legs chomped!