RESIDENTS in Cumnock and Doon Valley are being urged to keep their properties safe from thieves by local crime prevention officers.

The warning comes after a 26 year old woman and a 31 year old man have been remanded in custody for alleged offences in Kilmarnock.

Safer Communities Officer PC Craig Marshall said: “With improvements promised in the weather and people taking advantage of their summer holidays approaching to get out in the garden, we saw this as an ideal opportunity to promote some simple steps everyone can take to improve their security.

“If you have a garden, it’s the first thing an intruder will have to deal with if they want to try and break into your house. There are also items in your garden, garden shed or garage which a thief will find attractive.

“By following some of our simple hints and tips you may stop yourself becoming victim of these types of crime.”

Police Scotland recommend that garden gates are kept locked and that bins are kept in an area which doesn’t allow them to be easily used as a step to climb over fences/walls or access windows.

Other measures include keeping detailed records of valuable items of garden furniture and tools kept in sheds and garages, growing aggressive shrubbery which is harder for intruders to climb, securing windows and doors and locking away items such as ladders which are both attractive targets and can be used to break into your property.

If you do not have a shed or garage to store garden furniture and tools, then don’t leave them lying around. Bring them inside and keep them safe For more information on keeping your property safe, visit www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/.