This page provides some advice on how to secure items inside a wooden shed, and the shed itself. We have other advice pages about bicycle security, on security for metal sheds and a general Security FAQ.

Shed crime is on the rise - Sheds are very popular targets for thieves!

Sheds are often easy targets for thieves and they often contain quite high value items, especially bicycles and quite often several bicycles. It is not that difficult to improve security of sheds and of items within them.

Priority #1: Secure the door!

If you can keep a thief outside the shed, you've done your job and all internal security is just there as a backup. Securing the door with a good hasp & staple and a good quality padlock is a good start, but these must be fitted properly and it is just as important to secure the hinges! We have another advice page about shed door security.

Priority #2: Use a proper anchor inside the shed!

Wooden sheds are vulnerable as a determined thief can often simply kick his way through the wall or even break in through the roof! Securing the items inside is therefore crucial and an anchor of one kind or another is the foundation for everything else.

Wooden sheds are often awkward as they are commonly resting on soil with just a wooden floor and no solid walls etc available. One option is to cut a hole in the floor and to lay some fresh concrete and then fit a conventional ground anchor. This can give the best security, but it can be expensive or time-consuming to achieve, and can still result in an anchor that is awkward to use for securing bicycles as they are quite tall items. The Shed Shackle can give an effective anchor that is still easy to fit in a wooden or metal shed, or a Torc ground anchor can give a higher level of deterrent if you have concrete or brickwork available or don't mind the extra effort of laying fresh concrete.

Priority #3: Use a good quality chain and lock and use them properly!

It is important to choose the appropriate type of chain and lock to suit the value of the item(s) to be secured. We have advice on bicycle security that includes guidance on chain selection.

What about a Shed Alarm?

There a several battery-powered shed alarms available from DIY stores and these offer a valuable additional deterrent. Their fundamental weakness, however, is that the thief is already inside the shed when the alarm goes off! The surprise might be enough to make the thief leave empty-handed, but many times alarms go ignored and if you have valuables that are not physically secured there is a good chance he will take something with him. Using a Shed Shackle will surely increase the time required and the thief's risk of being caught.