Shed / Garage Security
Discussion
Sadly my garage and outbuildings were done over Thursday night along with the neighbours.
It seems that we were relatively lucky and just the easy to sell power tools were taken but it has been a wakeup call.
I'm thinking of doing a bit of a DIY alarm system utilising a PIR and internal masterblaster siren. But I need a PIR that doesn't switch the load on when powered up, I don't want the siren howling for 30 seconds or whatever everytime I power up the PIR. Is there anyone that knows of such a thing, every one I have ever put on a lamp switches on when its powered up.
Any suggestions would be fantastic.
Thanks
Russ
It seems that we were relatively lucky and just the easy to sell power tools were taken but it has been a wakeup call.
I'm thinking of doing a bit of a DIY alarm system utilising a PIR and internal masterblaster siren. But I need a PIR that doesn't switch the load on when powered up, I don't want the siren howling for 30 seconds or whatever everytime I power up the PIR. Is there anyone that knows of such a thing, every one I have ever put on a lamp switches on when its powered up.
Any suggestions would be fantastic.
Thanks
Russ
Personally I prefer not to have any security at all, other than not putting anything in my shed that would be desirable to steal.
I keep my power tools in a storage cupboard in the house, and the only items of financial value that are stored in the shed are the mower and pizza oven, but they aint particularly desirable to steal.
My garage door ls left unlocked, and instead I have made my motorbike very secure and difficult to move, ;et alone steal.
Security locks etc just result in more damage to repair when someone breaks in, or tries to.
I keep my power tools in a storage cupboard in the house, and the only items of financial value that are stored in the shed are the mower and pizza oven, but they aint particularly desirable to steal.
My garage door ls left unlocked, and instead I have made my motorbike very secure and difficult to move, ;et alone steal.
Security locks etc just result in more damage to repair when someone breaks in, or tries to.
Rodintee said:
Very constructive, I'll make sure I mention that to my wife. I'm sure she'll understand that the best solution is to put all my tools in the house.
While you are having that conversation with the wife tell her she has to sleep in the shed at night, if she is anything like my wife you will only get burgled once.How often are you going to be powering up the PIR? If it's going to be rarely/maintenance maybe just provide a (suitably inaccessible) way to isolate the alarm sounder?
Configurable alarm system PIRs exist where you can control the power up state but not sure those fit your intent/budget.
Configurable alarm system PIRs exist where you can control the power up state but not sure those fit your intent/budget.
Same thing happened to me and I got one of these
https://www.amazon.co.uk/CPVAN-Motion-Sensor-Alarm...
Tremendously loud and just set it with a fob
https://www.amazon.co.uk/CPVAN-Motion-Sensor-Alarm...
Tremendously loud and just set it with a fob
Appreciate not wanting to have tools in the house permanently, but assuming you are replacing them fairly soon it probably wouldn't hurt to keep them in the house for a couple of months. It's not unknown for the scrotes to return after a few weeks on the basis insurance will have paid out and everything will have been replaced.
After our shed was broken into I considered building a false wall at the back and storing valuable stuff behind that. In the end I didn't bother as it was only a rented place and we were moving soon, so they went under the bed in the spare room.
After our shed was broken into I considered building a false wall at the back and storing valuable stuff behind that. In the end I didn't bother as it was only a rented place and we were moving soon, so they went under the bed in the spare room.
Sorry I haven't been back on but thanks for all the replies. As yet undecided what to do.
Think I'm going to fabricate bars for over the window and maybe fit a proper alarm. A lot of farmers seem to like to Masterblaster siren, at 127db it would be all but impossible to remain in the building with it sounding and will also still be very audible in the house.
I was king of hoping I could pair it with a simple PIR to make a budget system but I'll look into doing it properly.
Thanks again.
Think I'm going to fabricate bars for over the window and maybe fit a proper alarm. A lot of farmers seem to like to Masterblaster siren, at 127db it would be all but impossible to remain in the building with it sounding and will also still be very audible in the house.
I was king of hoping I could pair it with a simple PIR to make a budget system but I'll look into doing it properly.
Thanks again.
Our house is a 2013 new build with a separate double garage. We paid to have this linked to the main alarm via an underground cable run. It’s on always chime regardless of the alarm being set or not.
We’ve got a wireless PIR set up in both sheds. Linked to a really loud sounder in our bedroom. Great arc of fire from our bedroom window too
We’ve got a wireless PIR set up in both sheds. Linked to a really loud sounder in our bedroom. Great arc of fire from our bedroom window too

The problem with major security is if it’s obvious it gives the impression there is lots of high value stuff to steal.
Crime prevention officer once said to me the best thing to do was clearly mark all the tools, lawnmowers etc with paint or similar. Then if stolen they can be identified, but the fact they are identifiable means they are less likely to be stolen in the first place.
Crime prevention officer once said to me the best thing to do was clearly mark all the tools, lawnmowers etc with paint or similar. Then if stolen they can be identified, but the fact they are identifiable means they are less likely to be stolen in the first place.
“An opportunistic burglar will try a shed or garage first because they can find the tools they need to break into the main house.
Don’t give them the opportunity or the tools to commit a crime. Lock everything away securely. Tools can be locked inside a locker or box or secured with a chain.”
https://www.met.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/prot...
Don’t give them the opportunity or the tools to commit a crime. Lock everything away securely. Tools can be locked inside a locker or box or secured with a chain.”
https://www.met.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/prot...
Chrisgr31 said:
The problem with major security is if it s obvious it gives the impression there is lots of high value stuff to steal.
I know what you mean, it's a bit like people who cover their houses in cameras.All my high security stuff isn't obvious, if anything it's incredibly plain.
The aim isn't to have any obvious deterrent, instead it's to not stand out, to remove all the simple tempting options for attack and if someone does try to then make any attack as slow and noisy as possible.
Things don't need to be absolutely impenetrable - that's not really possible - they just need for it to not be worth the effort.
I am lucky to live in a street with no sheds or garages done in the 35 years we have lived here. Despite being only 3 miles from glasgow there is a buffer zone of attractive housing between us an Glasgow where the thieves come from. We are far enough out that walking to and from Glasgow is not happening.
That aside, my garage is secured with a proper padlock and hasp not the silly locks up and over doorrs come with.
My shed is built from a framework of 2x4s and the inside lined with boards screwed to the walls. Going through the walls would not be easy. The shed door is visible from the house and is a solid core fire door with mortice lock. The door frame round the lock is re-enforced with steel bar. There is a light above the door on throughout the hours of darkness.
The windows are frosted glass, the sill is 5 feet up and each window is too small to get a bike through. My bikes being the main valuables.
For the OP I would suggest, assuming doors and locks are already a good standard, having power tools in a lockable steel cabinet inside the shed bolted to the floor. Combined with an alarm so they are not inclined to spend time tackling the steel cabinet after setting the alarm off.
That aside, my garage is secured with a proper padlock and hasp not the silly locks up and over doorrs come with.
My shed is built from a framework of 2x4s and the inside lined with boards screwed to the walls. Going through the walls would not be easy. The shed door is visible from the house and is a solid core fire door with mortice lock. The door frame round the lock is re-enforced with steel bar. There is a light above the door on throughout the hours of darkness.
The windows are frosted glass, the sill is 5 feet up and each window is too small to get a bike through. My bikes being the main valuables.
For the OP I would suggest, assuming doors and locks are already a good standard, having power tools in a lockable steel cabinet inside the shed bolted to the floor. Combined with an alarm so they are not inclined to spend time tackling the steel cabinet after setting the alarm off.
I was only speaking to someone about this subject the other day and these things came up. I don't know if it's possible to buy the blanks though
https://ebay.us/m/y9Xguc
Can't stand thieves
https://ebay.us/m/y9Xguc
Can't stand thieves
White-Noise said:
I was only speaking to someone about this subject the other day and these things came up. I don't know if it's possible to buy the blanks though
https://ebay.us/m/y9Xguc
Can't stand thieves
You, you can. Typically under £2 each.https://ebay.us/m/y9Xguc
Can't stand thieves
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