HOW TO... PROTECT YOUR GARDEN THIS SPRING

We spend a lot of time and money on our gardens but they can be easy pickings for thieves. Sarah Jagger explains how to secure your borders

As the clocks go forward, bringing longer days, we turn our attention to the garden. Sadly, so do thieves, as The Co-operative Insurance has revealed two thirds of us have been the victim of green-fingered theft*, with a typical £208 haul. And it’s not just a few stems of prized roses that are lifted – hanging baskets, garden plants, trees and even turf are the most sought-after items to steal, along with garden machinery, chimineas and even koi carp. The average garden is worth £2,000 and we spend £30,000 on our patches in a lifetime, so it’s an asset worth protecting. Ensure garages and outbuildings are bolted with a secure lock and sheds with a padlock attached to a strong hasp and staple – there’s a good selection at Screwfix.com. Secure shed hinges with coach bolts. Consider blacking out shed and garden windows so you’re not advertising its contents to thieves. Lock your garden gate with two locks top and bottom, particularly a side gate as this is an easy option to gain access. Then chain up or lock away anything a thief could use to climb on, such as wheelie bins. Plant prickly bushes, including pyracanthus, berberis and thornyclimbing roses such as ‘Compassion’ and ‘New Dawn’ which can make it more difficult to access your garden. Fix trellis on top of your fence, so it breaks and alerts you to an intruder and fill driveways or paths with pebbles or gravel to help you hear someone approaching your property. Motion sensitive lights installed back and front can be a great deterrent. Tag patio furniture, barbecues, expensive pots and garden machinery, with your postcode using invisible ink. Take photos of valuables, as your insurer may want proof of ownership if you have to claim for its loss. Cover garden furniture when not in use to remove temptation. Put bricks or stones in the bottom of patio tubs to make them more difficult for thieves to carry.