Police hand out advice after Belper and Alfreton shed break-ins

Sometime between 9.30am and 12.30pm on Friday, June 26, police received two reports of sheds being broken into at different properties on Nuttall Close in Alfreton.

Offenders gained entry to two outbuildings at one property, taking a generator and a canister containing petrol.

A search was made of another shed on the same road but nothing was stolen.

Thieves took a tool box and a hedge trimmer from a shed on Derby Road in Alfreton sometime between 4pm on Thursday, June 25 and just before 1.30pm on Friday, June 26.

Garden equipment has also been reported stolen from the shed of a property on Belper Lane in Belper in recent weeks.

Local officers are urging residents to consider stepping up their home and garden security, especially as the summer months arrive.

Crime prevention advice to help deter opportunist thieves includes: Ensuring outbuildings including sheds and garages are fitted with padlocks or alarm systems; Considering using garden gates and ensuring they are properly secured with locks; Motion-sensitive lighting for your garden could also be considered; Ensuring expensive garden tools and outdoor equipment are securely locked away in an outbuilding and valuable items are not left on display; Considering gravel paths and driveways to listen out for anyone arriving at or leaving your property.

Anyone with information about the above incidents is being urged to contact police by calling 101.

You can also report crime anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.