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Met Police Advice for Securing Sheds / Outbuildings https://www.met.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/protect-home-crime/keep-burglars-out-property/ 1. Lock Everything Properly Use a good-quality padlock: ideally a hasp and staple with a closed shackle so it's harder to tamper with. Make sure hinges are secure (not with exposed screws) so doors can’t be easily removed. Always keep the shed or garage locked, even when you're home. 2. Secure Vulnerable Points Windows: Reinforce shed windows with grills or wire mesh. Consider internal security: For attached garages, make sure the internal door into your home is solid and has a good lock (e.g. a 5-lever mortice lock + hinge bolts). Anchor down the shed / outbuilding so it can’t be lifted or moved easily. 3. Use Alarms & Lighting A battery-operated shed alarm can be very effective — they detect movement or door opening, and make a loud noise. Installing security lighting (e.g. motion-activated lights) around your garden and outbuildings can deter intruders. 4. Mark, Hide & Secure Valuables Lock up tools, bikes, mowers, and other valuables inside the shed using lockers, chains or ground anchors. Cover large or expensive items so they're not visible (e.g. drape an old sheet over a bike or mower). Property-mark items (name, postcode) or use forensic marking / UV pens. Register items that have serial numbers on Immobilise. 5. Garden & Boundary Security Keep side and rear gates locked to restrict access. Use defensive planting: Met recommends thorny bushes (e.g. berberis, pyracantha, hawthorn) around fences to make climbing harder. Low boundary at the front (“low hedges / walls”) means fewer places for burglars to hide. Use gravel paths or driveways — footsteps are noisy on gravel, which can act as a deterrent. | 
