IS YOUR GARAGE/SHED SECURE FROM BURGLARY?

WOULD YOU TRUST YOUR FAMILY'S MOUNTAIN BIKES TO A £5 PADLOCK?

Read here for more information on how to make your garage/shed secure...

Garage/Shed security

Exterior lighting such as dusk/dawn lamps covering an external shed or garage often act as a deterrent to potential offenders as it improves the natural surveillance of the area. Individuals who are acting unlawfully find it harder to enter an area that is already lit.

Battery powered shed alarms which are operated via a fob and activate on movement can omit in excess of 100db and can be purchased from numerous outlets for less than £20.00 are a cheap and easy method of putting off opportunist thieves. Consider the use of ground or wall anchors and steel cables used in conjunction with padlocks to secure items in sheds and garages, the cables can be used to loop numerous items together prior to securing them to the anchor.

If a thief is confronted by such obstacles and an internal alarm activating they will more than likely abandon the scene before they can remove your valuable items.

For further information contact PC Steve Rich Darlington Safer Neighbourhoods Unit on 01325 346832.

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Durham Constabulary, your local police here to protect you.

PACT meetings (Partner & Communities Together) are held on a monthly basis across Darlington in your local ward area. These meetings are an opportunity for you to meet your local policing team and other organisations that are involved in your community. The meetings give you the chance to:

• Discuss issues that affect you and the community you live in
• Agree priorities that are important to you
• Help the police and their partners to resolve problems

Acting Chief Constable of Durham Constabulary Mike Barton explains to us more about what PACT is and what it can do for your community:-

Topics which have already been successfully tackled at PACT meetings include:-

 1) Lascelles PACT meeting - The issue raised centred around Anti-social Behaviour involving youths playing football and causing nuisance around peoples gardens. Police worked with local residents, council street scene and Anti-social Behaviour team. Garden area was redesigned resulting in no problems

 2) Northgate PACT meeting - The issue raised to local NPT officer relating to drug dealing activity in Corporation Road, drugs warrant obtained and executed male arrested and a quantity of drugs seized.

 3) Northgate PACT meeting - Residents raised the issue of dog fouling, police worked with local partners council environmental wardens and prosecuted a prolific dog fouling offender who received a substantial fine.

 4 ) Residents in Northgate area via PACT - They said they were concerned about alcohol related Anti-social Behaviour in North lodge Park. Police worked with councils and Anti-social Behaviour team to gather evidence and petition the council for a Designated Public Place Order, which bans people from drinking in a specified place. Since it was introduced Anti-social Behaviour has reduced by 57% with 202 fewer incidents.

 5 ) Middleton St George PACT meeting -  They raised the issue of speeding motorists on Middleton Lane, police worked with local community volunteers and have undertaken 4 community speed watch initiatives and over 100 motorists have received warning letters.

 6 ) Sadberge & Whessoe PACT meeting - They identified car parking and obstruction issues at Bishopton School. Police worked with council enforcement officers, local residents and the school. New signage was erected, and a car sharing scheme was adopted by the school to reduce the demand on local streets. Now over 23% of pupils car share to school.

How do I get involved?

If you are interested in attending, please contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Unit for times and dates on 01325 346802, or look on the Durham Constabulary website under the Darlington neighbourhood page.