Already for April the Community Liaison Officer for Darlington Neighbourhood Watch has received reports of sum fourteen burglaries in the town, two of which in our ward. The first on Saltersgate Road where overnight on April 11th/12th a garage was broken into and two mountain bikes have been stolen and the second on Brian Road, overnight on April 10th/11th, on this occasion although an attempt had been made to break into a garage and the bold had been damaged, entry has not been gained.

There were two further burglaries close to our ward, the first on Leyburn Road where on the morning of April 11th a break in to a garden shed had been discovered, there are no details as yet of the items taken and the second on Peterhouse Close in the early hours of April 5th, where a sneak thief has entered a property and taken items including a handbag.

There is a trend in the theft of mountain bikes right across the town… please check your shed or garage security.

Advice
Used heavy duty locks top and bottom.
Ensure that hinges and hasps are of strong quality, these should be secured with bolts - never have screw heads accessible on door furniture.
Secure items to the fabric of sheds and garages.
Consider using an alarm.
Be very vigilant in respect of anyone suspicious who appears to be paying particular attention to persons entering and leaving garden buildings.
Garden power tools and hobby equipment also become much more vulnerable to theft as the weather improves with the season, thus creating a market opportunity to sell such items on.