Reminder to Guisborough residents to lock sheds and garages.

Neighbourhood officers are paying extra attention to areas of Guisborough which have seen a recent increase in shed and garage break-ins and thefts of gardening equipment, outdoor games and an electric bike.

Extra patrols targeted the area over this weekend after reports from residents in Lime Road, Parkside, Elm Road and Dunsley Court.  These will continue today while enquiries to identify and deal with the person or people responsible are ongoing.

We’d appeal to householders with private CCTV/doorbell or dashcam which could assist to contact Cleveland Police ASAP on the 101 number quoting Ref 118526.

If you don’t want to speak to police you can submit information anonymously to www.crimestoppers-uk.org or phone them on 0800 555 111.

Please see our crime prevention advice below:

Keep valuables in a locked garage rather than a shed if at all possible as they tend to have a better level of security.

But if a shed is the only place you can store such items, please ensure you use good quality closed shackle locks and consider using bolts and nuts for fixings, as well as reinforcing the area of the shed where such fixings are in place.

Other advice is:

Lock items such as pedal cycles together if possible and secure to an anchor point in the shed.

Keep side or rear gates locked to keep the garden area secure.

Consider using a shed alarm and security lighting to deter thieves.

Report any suspicious behaviour or intrusion into gardens or yards to Cleveland Police immediately . You can report via the 101 number or online on our website. In an emergency always use 999.