Police have issued a warning to householders to make sheds and garages secure following a spate of break-ins.

In less than a week last month seven incidents were reported to police.
The burglaries have mainly taken place in Kennington, with pedal cycles stolen from sheds and garages. But, Charing has also been targeted, with a lawn mower stolen from a garage.

Between June 17 and 22 three sheds and outbuildings in Canterbury Road and Nine Acres in Kennington and Pluckley Road, Charing were targeted, with £135 worth of damage was caused to locks.

Overnight between June 18 and 18 a pink ladies cycle and a silver man’s cycle worth a total of £220 were taken from a shed in Guernsey Way, Kennnington. The padlock on the door suffered £30 worth of damage.

Two more pedal cycles, both yellow Raleigh mountain bikes worth a total of £240, were taken from a garage block in Belmont Road, Kennington and padlocks sustained damage.

Overnight between June 21 and 22 a green Hydro static ride-on lawn mower, worth £1,000, was taken from a garage in Pluckley Road, Charing.

Jill Lane, Ashford crime reduction officer said: “We recommend that shed alarms are used in conjunction with a close shackled padlock, fastened with good length screws, security screws or coach bolts to deter thieves.

“All valuables should be kept out of sight or covered up and securely locked to a bolt or rail. If there is a window, it should be shuttered or have a steel mesh across it as an extra precaution. I also strongly advise marking all property.

"If a shed is well protected and comprehensively alarmed and locked the opportunist thief will be deterred and move on to a more inviting outbuilding.”

For more information about home security, contact Ashford Community Safety Unit on 01233 896336.