INTRUDERS are on the prowl for insecure sheds and vulnerable garages full of often valuable equipment, police have warned.

Officers have urged householders to review the security of their outbuildings after a spate of shed and garage burglaries across York.

Almost 40 outbuildings were attacked by thieves during the past ten days, and thousands of pounds-worth of possessions taken.

Five garage break-ins took place in Grange Lane, Acomb, during the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, and electrical equipment worth £3,000 was taken in another raid.

Colin Ventress, of York Police, said 14 shed and garage burglaries were reported in the Acomb area, but incidents took place all over the city.

He said three mopeds were taken, as well as gardening equipment, bicycles, power tools, lawn mowers and outdoor furniture.

"Residents need to take a few minutes to think about the value of what they store in their sheds and garages," he said. "With a lawnmower, bicycle tools and other garden items the cost of replacing it all can often run into thousands of pounds. Is the security of the building appropriate?

"As the weather improves people will need to use their gardening equipment and may want to do some DIY or go out cycling.

"They can protect themselves from thieves, who are often opportunists, by making sure that their outbuildings are locked and secure."

Mr Ventress added that shed owners should make sure the contents are not visible from the window, that they secure the door with a good quality padlock and to make sure screw heads on the hinges are not accessible. He said security lighting, a shed alarm, well-maintained fencing and locked boundary gates will also deter intruders and reassure residents.

Meanwhile, valuable items should be security marked with the owner's postcode and house number with an ultra-violet marking pen, engraving or paint. He said up-and-over garage doors could be vulnerable, but a garage mortice lock in each of the bottom corners would provide extra security.

Mr Ventress offered the following tips to help keep sheds secure:

Fit good-quality locks to your shed door

lUse good quality padlocks too

lFit shed windows with an internal grille fixed to steel plates

lReplace exterior door hinge screws with security screws.

Further information on home security is available on the North Yorkshire Police website www.northyorkshire.police.uk

Updated: 10:39 Wednesday, March 30, 2005