Appeal for witnesses following shed burglaries in Farncombe

We’re appealing for witnesses after two shed burglaries in Farncombe earlier this week.

Both burglaries occurred on Barnes Road at some point between 10pm on Wednesday, 5 October and 8am on Thursday, 6 October. Entry was forced to sheds in the back gardens of two properties and three bicycles were stolen.

Sergeant Michael Knight said: “We’re carrying out enquiries in the area and are keen to speak to anyone who noticed anything suspicious on Barnes Road earlier this week.

“We believe these two offences may be linked and would encourage residents to remain vigilant and review the security at their property. Sadly outbuildings can be a target for opportunistic thieves so it’s important to make sure your sheds and garages are secured with good padlocks. Items inside should be padlocked or fixed to a secure point.”

If you witnessed anything suspicious, or have information which may help our investigation, please contact us quoting PR/45220107533 via:

• Webchat on our website www.surrey.police.uk
• Our online reporting tool www.surrey.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/
• Calling us on 101

If you do not wish to leave your name, please call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 

We’d like to take this opportunity to remind you of the following crime prevention advice:

• Most house alarm systems can be configured to provide coverage to garages using ‘wireless’ connections. If this isn’t possible standalone ‘Shed alarms’ are also available.
• Consider the use of ground anchors and cables. Using a large cable to link several items together will make them more difficult to steal, padlocking the cable to a ground anchor will provide additional protection.
• There are a number of security marking schemes available for cycles ranging from electronic Datatags (similar to pet microchips) to chemical etching.
• Fit a good quality padlock, which has a hardened steel shackle (the part which opens and passes through the hasp) to all shed doors. The shorter the shackle the better because it prevents the jaws of bolt croppers being able to be placed around it.
• Use anti-tamper screws or smear hard setting glue on the screw-heads of the door hinges.
• Lock or permanently fix windows shut and cover them, perhaps with an old curtain, so no one can see what is kept inside.
• Install a shed alarm and place a sticker in the window or on the door to advertise the fact.
• Invest in a secure storage toolbox.
• Make sure that fences/gates to your property are secure and remember to put any property away at night or when you go out during the day.
• Darkness is the perfect cover for burglars and the effective and economic answer is to install outside lighting, which comes on only when people are present.

For more crime prevention advice please visit: https://www.surrey.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/non-residential-burglary/secure-shed-garage/

To report a break-in to your shed or garage please messages us on social media, report on our website or call 101. In an emergency or if a crime is in progress always dial 999.