WITH summer here and people using their sheds more to store gardening, bikes, toys and sports gear, Gloucestershire Police are urging people to get ‘Sheducated'.

Scores of thefts from sheds take place each year, spoiling people’s summer activities but police say many thefts are avoidable with a little security awareness.

Kim Mowday, Harm Reduction Advisor for Gloucestershire Police, is urging Gloucestershire residents to be on their guard.

"Bicycles, for example, left unlocked in insecure sheds are often thought to be secure by their owners due to the privacy of the location," she said. "Unfortunately this isn’t the case - thieves will jump over garden walls and snatch anything they see.

"Bikes even get thrown back across the wall and then taken away. Some are recovered over the next few days but many are not.

“Whilst we are doing all we can to catch thieves and reduce these crimes there are a lot of things you can do to keep your property secure and stop thieves striking.”

The police have issued advice to shed owners including making it harder for intruders by fitting an alarm, marking valuable items with a forensic chemical marker and installing strong locks.