A NEW campaign has been launched by Cheshire Constabulary to offer advice on thwarting burglars.
The Safer Garden campaign focuses on ways to protect sheds and garages - and homes - from becoming the next target for a burglar.
Cheshire police say most burglars are opportunists and look for houses with an open window or poor security, where valuables are on display or where the burglar is hidden from view.
By taking a few simple steps you can protect your home and prevent burglars gaining access to your back door or windows - statistically the most common form of entry.
For example, installing security lighting can help deter thieves, as can fitting strong padlocks and door bars on garage and shed doors.
Items such as bikes or valuable gardening tools should be secured to a fixed point, which cannot be moved, by a sturdy chain and lock.
Other tips were given by Keith Parsonage, adviser for Ellesmere Port and Neston Police Crime Reduction.
He recommended that a tough pad bar - also known as a hasp and staple - should be used and that doors should be fitted with a strong padlock and secured with coach bolts.
Outside sheds and store cupboards should also be kept locked at all times and valuable items should be engraved with the owner's postcode so they can easily be returned if found by the police.
Another option is to take photographs of valuable ornaments or plants which, if distinctive, would enable them to be traced much quicker.
Putting a gravel path around a shed or under windows also makes it easier to hear anybody creeping around your property.
Mr Parsonage added: 'Home-grown prickly plant security can be used as an attractive and effective physical barrier around perimeters, under windows and at the base of drainpipes.
'Carefully chosen, they can also brighten up drab areas with a splash of colour.'
The Safer Homes initiative was launched in April this year to help Cheshire Police adopt successful enterprises from around the UK.
The scheme has also introduced specially trained burglary police officers, call handlers and forensic teams into the area.
Malcolm Hughes, force community safety liaison officer, said: 'Safer Homes has not only seen an improvement in the way burglary cases are handled by police, it has also provided much-needed support and advice to victims.
'Campaigns such as Safer Garden help residents to do their bit in the fight to reduce burglary.
'Taking on board and acting upon the advice being highlighted in the campaign can save a person the heartache and trauma of being burgled.'
