Gardens of gold…

As wily crooks continue to target British gardens – recent figures show clothes line theft alone has increased by as much as 20 per cent in the past year[2] – the general public is slow to catch on, despite the fact that almost one in three (28 per cent) has suffered a theft from their great outdoors in recent years.
While Brits go to great lengths to protect the contents of their houses, the Garden Theft study, a comprehensive survey of 1,200 adults with gardens, shows just how lapse Brits are when it comes to protecting valuable backyard bounties.
For 15 per cent of people, the best they can do is place expensive items in an unlocked garden shed, while a further 35 per cent don't take any security precautions at all – something all the more irresponsible when the average value of garden furniture is considered.
The study shows how Brits are moving on from cheap and cheerful garden comforts to more aspirational, designer items – in many regions the average value of garden furniture exceeds £350, though the average British garden also contains:
• £140 worth of potted plants and flowers;
• £160 worth of garden ornaments and lights; and
• a barbeque worth £140
And just as people like to proudly display their new car on the front drive, so it seems the once humble barbecue is fast becoming the status symbol of the back garden. Over half (55 per cent) of barbecue owning Brits said they purchased their latest model on the grounds of style, aesthetics and as a design feature.
Across the regions, London is revealed as the garden theft capital of the UK – 34 per cent of residents have had items stolen from their gardens, while the Home Counties are the safest at just 18 per cent.
Commenting on the findings, MORE TH>N spokesperson Pete Markey said, "It's concerning that half of Brits are essentially leaving their possessions ‘up for grabs'. With £4 billion worth of garden furniture at stake, it really doesn't make sense.
"People go to great lengths to protect the contents of their homes but security sensibilities seem to go out the window when it comes to gardens. With the value of items in gardens higher than ever, leaving them exposed is the outside equivalent of leaving the front door open. With the nights set to draw in people need to start thinking seriously about protecting their outdoor treasures".
To help prevent garden theft taking place, MORE TH>N recommends:
• Keep your hedges tidy and trim as it reduces the number of places a thief can hide
• Lighting can be a good deterrent to thieves, the best to use is high-efficiency low-energy that comes on from dusk until dawn.
• Fencing and gates can help prevent prowlers getting into the backs and sides of your home where they won't be seen by passers-by.
• Consider gravel driveways as it's noisy to walk on, which will put intruders off.
• Thorn bushes and prickly plants along the edge of the garden or fences can make an extra obstacle for thieves.
• Make sure you have a lock on garden sheds, particularly if they contain garden tools and ladders as these could aid a burglar's entry to the property.