Appeal after garages are targeted in Westhill

Police Scotland North East Division are investigating as series of housebreakings into garages which occurred during the early hours on Sunday.

The incident happened around 2.30am at Stanley Court in Westhil.

Anyone with information in relation to this incident can contact Police on 101 or via the Contact Us form on the Police Scotland website https://www.scotland.police.uk/secureforms/contact/

Anonymous reports can be made to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

After a spate of garage break-ins recently, Police are warning anyone with a garage or lock-up to be more vigilant.

North East Division crime reduction officer, Mark Irvine said ‘We advise everyone to look at the security of their buildings.'

• Always lock the external garage door, particularly if you have an internal door to your house. This may sound ridiculous, but many people don’t.

Ensure your car is locked, even when inside the locked garage.

• Illuminate the exterior of your garage. Outdoor security lighting with a motion sensor is an excellent deterrent for intruders.

It can also bring illumination to your outdoor areas, bringing better security.

• Electrical tools should be in locked toolboxes, steel if possible, and it is a good idea to run a chain through the handles of garden tools, to prevent them being used to cause further damage. Consider forensically marking all your tools with readily available and extremely cost effective kits.

This combined with visible signage will help deter potential criminals. It also assists in tracing them back to their owners, should they go missing.

• For additional security, consider good quality hasps and padlocks to the door, fitted with dome headed or non-returnable screws to prevent tampering.

Appropriate products that are approved as ‘Sold Secure’ or ‘Secured by Design’ should be considered.