First it was dogs... now hot tubs are must-steal item for lockdown thieves
HOT tubs are the latest lockdown target for thieves who are exploiting a surge in demand for the trendy accessories.
It follows a 250 per cent rise in dog thefts as a result of more people looking to become pet owners during the pandemic.
Now criminals are going to extraordinary lengths to steal garden equipment, from spas to seating.
In one case, thieves used a wheelie bin to smuggle a 700-litre inflatable pool out of a garden after first emptying it of water.
One theft victim said: “Burglars are simply taking a fence panel out and loading garden contents into a van.
Bulk
“I’ve wedged cut wine corks into my panels now to make them harder to lift out – that is the world we live in.”
Police in Yorkshire last summer had to urge victims not to “take matters into your own hands” after a spate of hot tub thefts.
Britain’s biggest insurer said it had seen a surge in home insurance claims related to the pools.
Sarah Poulter, from insurers Aviva, said: “Put away your hot tub if it’s not going to be used for a while – and keep it safe and secure. In spite of their bulk, hot tubs do get stolen.”
The insurer said that deflated hot
tubs were often stolen from garages and outbuildings but some thieves had taken them directly from customers’ gardens – after first draining gallons of water from them.
Demand for tubs surged as lockdown forced people to stay at home. At one point sales on eBay were up 1,080 per cent year on year and suppliers were struggling to keep up with demand.
As a result thefts also soared along with insurance claims, with some payouts reaching almost £10,000.
Claims for portable pools, such as inflatable spas, were lower, but the cost of some fixed tubs can run into five figures.
Insurers say they have seen a hike in garden claims by as much as 46 per cent, including for stolen furniture, as people made the most of their outdoor space.
The British and Irish Hot Tub Association has established a “national hot tub theft register” to reunite victims with their property.