Gardens ripe for thieves’ harvest

CRIMINALS TARGET VALUABLE KIT, FROM LAWNMOWERS TO BBQs

SUMMER is a hot favourite with sly thieves who target gardens.

The average family has plants, ornaments and equipment worth £2,000 on their plot or in sheds and garages.

And many people have much higher value items to tempt criminals, including BBQs, trampolines and even hot tubs. All these things can be at risk without a few simple precautions.

In the year to March 2016 there were 730,000 thefts from gardens, sheds and garages – that’s more than 2,000 a day or one every 43 seconds.

Figures reveal thieves are 25% more likely to target gardens in the summer. SECURITY TIPS

Lock gates, sheds and garages: We often have more value in outbuildings than we think – lawnmowers and other tools, garden furniture, scooters and, of course, bikes.

Put tools and valuables away: In the summer, many of us spend all day, or even a whole weekend, gardening, doing odd jobs and maybe having a BBQ in the evening. It is so easy to leave tools, furniture and other valuables out, either while you pop out for more supplies or overnight for use again in the morning.

Attach bigger items: There are obviously some items that are too big to be put away – like furniture – or practically can’t be put away, for example, plants and ornaments. So it is a good idea to secure these to the ground or wall/fence. Furniture is the most stolen garden item, with a theft every two minutes. You should also consider chaining up your wheelie bin – 160 are stolen every day.

Get security lights and install gravel: Security lights are a huge deterrent for thieves. Motion sensitive lights are particularly good, and high fences or prickly hedges around the garden can help deter intruders too.

Make your mark: Label valuable items with your postcode. The easiest way is with UV pens, paint or SmartWater. This not only makes items identifiable and can help with their recovery, marked items are less appealing and less valuable to thieves.

Make it look like you’re around: As with your home, if you are away, you need to make it look like you are still around.

If you can get a neighbour to pop in and water plants or even mow the lawn it will give the impression you are at home. Don’t leave bins at the end of the road, and think about putting interior lights on a timer. LOCK IT! Summer brings out thieves who target gardens

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