Owners of trailers in the Melton Borough are being warned by the police to be on their guard after nine trailers were stolen in the last twelve months.

Trailers have many uses in rural areas – for carriage of livestock and horses, to transport equipment even touring caravans and they have all been targeted at different times.

Trailers are a valuable commodity, not just in monetary terms but also some people rely on them for essential daily use. Not all trailers are stolen from the roadside either; some are actually stolen from within the boundaries of premises. People tend not to take steps to secure them properly, but there are a number of measures that can be taken which will reduce the risk of a trailer being stolen.

The Police offer this advice:

• If possible never park a trailer in isolated locations, such as a field or grass verge.
• Park it as near to your premises as possible, preferably out of sight from the road.
• Use a trailer locking post to secure it when at your premises.
• A hitch lock will prevent a thief easily hitching up and driving off with your trailer.
• Wheelclamps are available to fit all sizes of wheel and again will prevent the trailer from easily being towed away.
• Help the police and yourself by marking the trailer so that it is easily identifiable. There are several trailer-marking schemes which use either your postcode or a unique number that is entered onto a database. A simple method is to use an engraver or die-stamps to mark your postcode into the metal. This should then be painted over to make it more visible.
• Fit a simple alarm to activate if the trailer is moved.

Further information is available from Pc Smith at Hamilton police station on 0116 22 22 222 ext.4976

0800 555 111

Do you know someone who is committing burglaries or handling stolen property, but don’t know what to do? Are your neighbours dealing in drugs but you are afraid to tell the police for fear of reprisals. Then call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.

Crimestoppers is a crime information scheme which allows people, who for whatever reason do not want to be identified, to pass on to the police information about crime and criminals. They do so by using a national freephone number 0800 555 111 anonymously and they can receive a Crimestoppers Trust reward upon the arrest and charge of the offender, again without having to reveal who they are.

All calls made from within Leicestershire are automatically diverted to the Crimestoppers office based in Leicester, where the telephone is covered during office hours. Thereafter an answer machine is available to take the calls.

Crimestoppers is not a replacement for the 999 scheme or the normal ways that people report matters to the police. It is an alternative way for those who don’t feel they can give their names, for whatever reason, but have information and want to play a part in fighting crime.

So if you see or hear anything relating to any crime, give Crimestoppers a shout, phone 0800 555 111. Your call is free and cannot be traced by using 1471. You don’t have to give your name and you can receive a reward.

What can you do?

SHEDS AND OTHER SMALL BUILDINGS

Many people take a great deal of trouble securing their house and the property within it whilst at the same time leaving valuable property in a shed which is either unlocked or so old and run down as to prove no obstacle whatsoever to the thief.

1. Ensure that your shed is in a good condition to stand up to a security test. If not then take steps to improve it or don’t leave valuable items, such as a lawn mower inside.
2. Once the fabric of the building is sound you can then improve physical security:-

a) Fit a good lock on the shed door. A little expense cam be money well spent and may help with insurance claims later if the worst does happen. The fittings should be bolted through the door of the shed and reinforced at the back with a steel plate. The hasp should have concealed screws.
b) The padlock itself should be not less than 2.5ins in width and made of hardened steel. The lock should have no less than five pins. A closed shackle type will reduce the risk of the lock being forced. Any locksmith or good DIY shop will advise you on the strongest available. If you already have a small padlock, change it now – it could save you time and money in the future.
c) Fit any windows with a grille fixed to steel plates inside the shed. Remember, it is no good securing the door if the windows are an easy target. At the very least consider fitting reinforced glass or impact value acrylic, and a good lock if the window opens.

Fitting a simple, low cost, battery operated shed alarm or personal alarm to the door of your shed or garage will warn of any attempted intrusion to your property and will stop the thief in his tracks.

Much of this advice should also be applied to a garage if you have one.

PROPERTY

Gardening tools and furniture are not cheap, what’s more they are very saleable items for the thief. Don’t make it easy to steal them and remember that tools stolen from your shed could be used to burgle your house.

1. Postcode all property such as lawnmowers, hedge trimmers and garden furniture, Post coding can be done with ultra-violet marker pens, engraving, stamping or even paint. Property marking may not stop the items being taken, but it could dissuade a thief if you advertise the fact that your property is coded and it will certainly improve the chances of tracing the items and perhaps catching the thief.
2. Take photographs of any valuable garden ornaments. If they are stolen, Police can circulate the photo to dealers who can then look out for your property.
3. Never leave items unattended, especially valuable ones, even if you are just popping into the house – remember you may be gone for a minute but they may be gone forever.
4. If you leave items such as pedal cycles in your garage or shed, ensure that they are postcoded and chain them to the superstructure of the building.

A little bit of effort can save a lot of grief

OUTDOORS

Not only should your property be secure but you can also make it difficult for the thief to get to it.

1. A low cost security measure are lights fitted with sodium tubes which come on when it gets dark and turn themselves off when it gets light – they cost less than 1p a night to run! This is especially important in dark areas of your garden. Don’t under-estimate the effect of good lighting as a crime prevention measure.
2. Keep shrub, hedges and large plants cut back, they can provide a screen for thieves to work behind.
3. Check your boundary fences, walls and gates. Keep them in good repair as they do provide a useful barrier to the would-be-thief. The harder it is for him to get in, the more suspicious his actions look to others.
4. Get your neighbours to always keep an eye on your garden at all times of the day and night. You can do the same for them. Report anything suspicious to the Police as soon as possible. Remember – it’s not being nosey, it’s being sensible.
5. Laying a thick gravel path makes it impossible for the thief to approach without making a noise and is a good crime reduction alternative to slabs and monoblock.

ALLOTMENTS

Allotments are harder to protect but much of the above advice can be applied to them. Get to know your neighbours on the allotment – if they know you they are more likely to be suspicious if someone else is in your plot. Remember – don’t leave expensive equipment on site if you can avoid it.