Garages in Stevenage Broken Into

8 January 2011, 08:22 | Updated: 8 January 2011, 08:32

Police are appealing for witnesses and information following a number of garage break-ins in the Oaks Cross area of Broadwater, Stevenage and are asking those with garages to ensure they are secure.

Police are appealing for witnesses and information following a number of garage break-ins in the Oaks Cross area of Broadwater, Stevenage and are asking those with garages to ensure they are secure.

The break-ins, which took place over Wednesday, January 5 and Thursday, January 7, are as follows:

  • Between 9am on January 5 and 2.30pm on January 6, offender(s) forced entry to two garages in Lygrave. They made off from the scene in an unknown direction. No property was stolen.

 

  • Between 8pm on January 5 and 12pm on January 6, offender(s) forced entry to two garages on Elbow Lane. Offenders stole a red ‘Maguries’ car polisher, a yellow ‘Karcher’ pressure washer and car cleaning agents from one of the garages and caused damage to the other garage attempting to gain entry. They made off from the scene in an unknown direction. 

Detective Inspector Gary Atkinson, said: “I am appealing for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area over the past week or so to get in touch. Also, if you are offered any items which you believe may have been stolen from garages; I would strongly urge you to get in touch as well. In these cases the garages were all locked. However, it may be good for local residents to consider other deterrents like external lighting around their garage or further security measures like a padlock on the door, or a strengthened door.” 


Police have issued the following advice to further secure garages:

  • If possible ensure external lighting covers your garage
  • Secure windows internally with steel mesh or bars
  • Strengthen the door
  • Fit coach bolts to external door hinges
  • Use a quality padlock or additional locks
  • Where possible, store high value items in the house rather than a garage
  • Property mark valuable items with a UV pen
  • Ensure and photograph valuable items
  • Chain and Padlock valuables together and secure them to an anchor point

Anyone with any information on these crimes should ring DI Atkinson via the non-emergency number 0845 33 00 222. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers (an independent charity) anonymously on 0800 555111.