Expensive Fishing Equipment Stolen From Redditch Shed

Police are warning residents to make sure valuable items stored in sheds are secure after nearly £4,000 worth of fishing equipment was stolen from a shed in Redditch.

It happened between 11pm on Thursday, 26 July and 6am on Friday, 27 July, at a shed adjacent to a property in the High Street in Astwood Bank.

Offenders broke in and stole two Daiwa tournament pro poles worth a total of £2,500, a Map TKS40 pole worth £700, a Preston Innovations rod and a Puddle Chucker rod worth £150 in total, a Maver Ledger rod worth £120, two Daiwa Certate reels worth £150 each and two dark blue Mosella rod bags with yellow piping worth £50 each.

Peter Aston, Crime Risk Advisor for North Worcestershire, said: "Residents are reminded to make sure they have sufficient security in place to prevent their belongings being stolen.

"Security can be improved by fitting good quality locks to sheds, and valuables should either be chained up to an immovable object or a floor or wall mounted anchor lock for extra security, or be stored in the home.

"Battery operated alarms may act as a deterrent or the house alarm could be upgraded to include the garage or a shed.

"Other advice includes installing dusk to dawn sensor controlled security lights or putting down gravel or stone chippings which enable a householder to hear an intruder's footsteps.

"Marking valuable items with a forensic marking product or UV pens is another deterrent that can be used against would-be thieves and will also help you get your valuables back should they be stolen."

Further advice on home security and forensic marking products can be found on the West Mercia Police website at http://www.westmercia.police.uk/ under the Advice Centre section, or from your local police station.

A garden crime leaflet called ‘Tips to Nip Garden Crime in the Bud' is also available from police stations and garden centres in West Mercia or can be downloaded from the force's website.

Police are eager to hear from anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity around the High Street on Thursday night or Friday morning, or may have been offered any fishing equipment for sale similar to the ones stolen.

Witnesses or anyone with information regarding the fishing equipment are asked to contact police in Redditch on 0300 333 3000, quoting incident 125-S-270712, or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Issued: Monday, 30 July 2012