Was broken in to by opportunistic idiot(s) last night and got a wake-up call to finish of securing the shed.
Shed has windows, which are frosted over on the inside.
The garden has about 30/40 m of fence adjoining public land, which is difficult to prevent access from. They climbed on my van and climbed over the fence breaking the deliberately flimsy trellis. Unfortunately they did not injure themselves doing so. They used a step stool left lying around outside to help with access to the hinges. Access was gained by removing screws from the door hinge.
Lock was not cut or broken.
Nothing was stolen because they met the 2nd line of defence (inside the shed).
To do:
1. Finish upgrading the entire perimeter fencing, complete the trellis. I don't think barb wire on the trellis is a good idea, nor legal? Anti-climb paint on the top of the trellis could be entertained though?
2. Replace shed hardware with a mixture of security screws (with T20 security bits) and one-way screws.
3. Add the security bars to the shed windows - inside or outside though?
4. Stop parking the van close enough to the fence to be used as a climbing aid
5. Get rid of the steps, containers, etc. outside that could be used as access.
6. Add some (fake/real) deterrents such as cameras or CCTV signs?
The bikes are old but still don't want them stolen! I also think they'd be even less secure in the garage!
Aside from camping inside the shed in case they come back tooled up, what else could I do?
Shed alarm and coach/security bolts on the hinges
Climb into your neighbours garden and prise open their shed using a pair of garden shears thus making their bikes a more attractive proposition to would be thieves
I have two really chunky padlocks on the door, hinges etc are bolted rather than screwed, door frame and door have been beefed up, bikes are locked together and shed is alarmed. That's been enough to prevent three or four attempts. Especially with the locks I've gone for the "if you want in you're going to have to go to a lot of effort" visible approach. Guessing it's the same small group of scumbags that are responsible. The last time which must be about two years ago, they set the alarm off before getting very far. They've not tried since. I put the second padlock after that one. Saying all that I still put the bikes in the house if we are away for the weekend etc.
I have a basic Yale alarm which emits a horrendous noise if you accidentally set it off.
Builders band securing the roof to the sides (usually easily lifted off for access) and securing the sides to each other.
Two bits of bent rebar set into the concrete base with decent motorcycle chain locks securing the bikes.
Security / coach boots on all the hinges etc.
Half decent padlock on a hasp and staple.
Solar floodlights activated by movement.
Decent insurance policy.
Yeah I did think coach bolts are better than security screws if I need to take hinges off at a later date, but I need to measure the length that I need!
A second lock & hasp is definitely a good shout.
alarm mines
These will scare the crap out of any burglars and wake the neighbourhood. Do not forget about them though......
Hahaha, I could get myself some fake mines and minefield clearance paraphernalia... , might just make more more of a target though 🤣
So security bars on the outside or inside?
Good idea making sure the roof is secure, if someone ripped all the felt off my shed roof and god busy with a screwdriver they could get in... I'll add some additional fasteners.
Replace shed hardware with a mixture of security screws (with T20 security bits)
Uh huh.
https://www.toolstation.com/draper-security-bit-set/p52910
Commercially available security screws, by their very nature, are not secure. They are an inconvenience at best. Even a proprietary system would quickly get copied and the relevant bits sold on your favourite tat emporium of choice. In fact you would be as well with a Robertson drive as nothing seems to come with those bits barring pocket screws.
Never heard of those alarm mines before.
I don't even need them but am tempted!😁
Best long term defence is to grow a spiky hedge along the fence!
Don’t make it obvious you are protecting the shed. Means you have something expensive inside + all they end up doing is wrecking your shed.
I first went down the strengthening route on first attempt and 2nd just a simple cheap ish lock which they broke off.
No bikes were taken because I had a shed alarm http://www.personalalarms.com/acatalog/multi-buy-ma30-mini-pir-alarm-and-external-siren.html
Police said they always run when an alarm goes off.
Also bikes inside these https://images.app.goo.gl/KV8JsrUhg8sBQyKT8 so they never saw bikes, and it’s just another layer of faff but not overt security
Carpet grippers on top of the trellis will make the scrotes think twice.
Agree with above.... it's obvious something is expensive inside if locks are visible....
I went with more is better approach.
These are good too.
Hinges coach bolted and even if they got hinge I’ve got pins securing hinge side so they can’t be pulled out.
Builders band securing roof and round locks so they can’t cut round them.
Ground anchor with protector chain on bikes.
You could get into my shed but you’d make lots of noise and wake up whole neighborhood.
I know of someone on another forum that has used an alarm mine quite successfully. The tealeaf had set it off at very close range and given the amount of 'DNA' left on the bike's chain ring, they didn't half get a shock.
I got the hinge screws replaced with coach bolts yesterday evening and replaced some of the screws from the hinge to the door with one-way screws.
Yes, "security" fasteners are an inconvenience at best but that's the point - make the investment not worth the imagined reward.
the mini PIR alarm is exactly what I was looking for too.
Ground anchors and one of those insured d locks.
Yes, “security” fasteners are an inconvenience at best but that’s the point – make the investment not worth the imagined reward.
You can buy a bit set with all the common security heads in for a fiver. That's nothing like an "investment" which is my point, they exist (like shit locks) purely to keep honest people honest.
Just using coach bolts is a far more productive use of your time and money.
Defensive planting along the fence. Spiky and spiny shrubs and bushes@
careful with the overt security. my last house had a hammer through the kitchen window and they stole the keys to the asgard (amongst other stuff)
alarm mines are great if you aren't using stuff regularly.
are there any legal issues to carpet gripper on fence edges. wevd had one visit in the new place but they failed to break the garage door as I'd reinforced it
I had an alarm mine in our old place - Mrs W forgot to tell her uncle who went down the garden to collect something from the shed. Cue a very large bang and a very shaken relative 🙂
We've planted Pyracantha hedging on the road-side of our garden fence. It's an absolute b*tch and you'd have to be properly determined to try to either scale over, or push through it.
Move house?
You could get into my shed but you’d make lots of noise and wake up whole neighborhood
You’ll be surprised how stealthy the little bastardos can be. Heard of vans being emptied right next to the window the owner is sleeping by.
Window guards on the inside by the way. As said above , the more you make it look secure, the more it looks like you have expensive gear in there.
Spiky and spiny shrubs and bushes
not compatible with a family friendly garden and small children! Bramble, climbers, creepers etc. going in over the fence to make ti difficult to climb over though.
Move house?
absolutely not 🤣 after one lot of half-arsed thieves? the seemed to have a go at the whole estate so probably won't be back until after the alarm is fitted.
Window guards on the inside
Thanks, that's now the plan 👍 Alarm also going inside.
Poopscoop
Subscriber
Never heard of those alarm mines before.I don’t even need them but am tempted!😁
Me too!
train blackberry plants along the trellis and around the shed - nature's barbed wire, tasty, and good for local wildlife.
Oh...and a large barking dog/killer rabbit