Garden Securitysubmitted on 27 March 2015
As we have introduced more items into our gardens over the years, such as barbecues, garden furniture and expensive planters, so we have made them more attractive to intruders. Some items may be covered by your home insurance policy, but claiming on your insurance will probably increase your premium in the future, so it is worth looking at ways to deter unwanted visitors.
The obvious place to start is with the garden boundaries. It is advisable to keep front garden fences and hedges low so that intruders can't hide behind them. The likelihood of being seen may be enough to make them look elsewhere, especially if the area is well-lit.
If you have a high fence, consider attaching at least a 30cm depth of trellis to the top of it. This will make it harder for anyone to climb the fence, as the trellis won't stand the weight of an intruder. For extra security you could grow thorny climbing roses up the fence and trellis. As an alternative to fixing trellis to the top of a fence, you could add some posts with parallel wires between, then train thorny roses along these.
There are numerous types of thorny plants that you can grow up a fence, or at the foot of the fence to make it unpleasant for anyone trying to climb over. Species to consider include berberis (the hybrid stenophylla is one of the prickliest), blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), pyracantha, hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), holly (Ilex species), and gorse (Ulex europaeus).
If your back garden has an access gate, keep it padlocked. Using clutch-head screws to attach the hasp and latch, and also the hinges, means that thieves can’t simply unscrew them without bothering to remove the padlock. Also make sure that the gate can’t simply be lifted off its hinges.
Gravel is a good deterrent when used for paths and driveways, as you can't sneak about quietly on a gravel path.
Motion-sensitive lighting can deter intruders, while installing CCTV might be worth considering if you are in a vulnerable spot.
Barbecues and garden furniture could be kept in a locked shed or garage when not in use.
Statues, urns and large planters can be secured by cementing them in place or by chaining them to a bolt fixed to a wall or to the ground. Alternatively you could bolt planters to the ground by fixing coach bolts through the pot’s drainage holes.
Expensive trees and shrubs can be secured by using a specialist land anchor when you plant them. A cheap alternative when planting valuable shrubs is to plant them through a layer of chicken wire topped with soil, which makes them harder to dig up or pull out.
Make hanging baskets harder to steal by hanging them on lockable brackets or by threading chain through the basket rim and attaching it to the wall.
Mark any valuable items with your postcode, using a UV pen, paint or by engraving it.
You probably won't be the victim of garden theft, but following the above suggestions should reduce the likelihood.
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