A DRIVE to make Chagford homes safer to prevent opportunist thieves is being mounted by West Devon Borough Council, in partnership with the police, at a crime reduction event in the town on March 23.

All are invited to meet the security experts at the event at 10.30am next door to Chagford Library as part of South Devon and Dartmoor Community Safety Partnership's bid to raise residents' awareness of how to beat the thieves.

They will link in with West Devon's Connect outreach service which is in Chagford Library at the same time.

This initiative has been sparked by a recent increase in break-ins from outhouses, sheds, garages and vehicles seen to hold expensive tools, plant and equipment.

West Devon Cllr Robert Sampson, who represents Chagford, said: 'Even though West Devon is still a very safe place to live, residents need to be aware of what measures they can take to protect their belongings. It is surprising how easy it can be to make things difficult for a thief – and put them off trying.'

Community safety officer Louisa Wall said: 'The community safety team will be driving home the importance of marking property and the use of the website Immobilise – a police endorsed online property register.

'They will also give free information and advice on security, defensive planting, how and where to mark property.'

The community safety team offers the following tips to reduce the risks of property theft:

l lock away all tools and equipment;

l chain tools and valuable equipment together;

l mark power tools and valuable equipment with your postcode and house number (or the first two letters of your house name);

l fit window grills and ensure thieves are unable to see inside outbuildings;

l grow particularly spiky plants like hawthorn along thieves' access routes;

l ensure gates and fences are maintained and secure;

l consider using gravel on paths and driveways, it makes it difficult for people to approach without making a noise;

l install outside security lighting.