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Gardens are one of the most vulnerable parts of a property when it comes to theft. So, how do you best go about securing your garden to ensure your items aren’t at risk?
Home security expert Jonathan Coppock at PriceYourJob has created this guide, highlighting the most common items stolen from gardens along with some essential tips on keeping your garden valuables safe.
Which items are most commonly stolen from gardens?
If you own any of the following items, take extra precautions. These are the most common items stolen from gardens:
Bicycles Garden tools Plant pots Garden ornaments Plants/shrubs Hanging baskets Delivery packages Solar lights Outdoor furniture Children’s toys
How do you protect your garden from theft?
Now that you know which items are most at risk, let’s delve into how you can best secure your garden to help prevent theft and deter unwanted intruders.
Install a sturdy side gate
If you can access your back garden via a path down the side of the house, it’s essential that you choose a strong gate to place in this area to add to your garden security. If this area is left open, it acts as an invitation for thieves and trespassers to enter your back garden as they wish. A tall, sturdy gate will prevent any potential thieves from seeing what is in your garden.
When you put in your side gate, you will need to ensure you invest in a strong lock and keep the gate locked at all times. A padlock is a great option as this type of lock requires a key, so nobody will be able to unlock the gate unless they have the right key.
Ideally, you also want to choose a gate that can easily be seen from the road. This will help to deter intruders from approaching your home and getting access to your garden.
The sturdiness of the gate is very important. You must make sure the hinges and surrounding framework are very strong. If your gate looks flimsy or if it looks like it’s easy to break open, you may want to consider replacing it with a stronger gate.
Create some perimeter defences
The permitter of your garden’s boundary will need to be secured. There are several ways in which you can do this. The most common is a good, sturdy garden fence accompanied by some hedging or bushes.
It’s recommended that you choose a fence of at least 2 metres in height or just under. Some other versions of permitter blocks, such as brick walls, may be lower than this. If you have something like this around your garden, it might be worth considering replacing the low perimeter guard with a tall, sturdy garden fence.
You can either choose a strong, tall, durable garden fence or opt for a less sturdy trellis-style fence accompanied by some prickly plants that will make access much more difficult. This option can be beneficial as it will also make a noise if an intruder breaks it. However, the climbing plants on the trellis will take some time to grow, which may delay your garden’s security.
Install some security lights
It is a very good idea to place some security lights in and around your garden. Motion detection lights are a great option. These lights have built-in sensors that switch the lights on whenever someone moves near them.
Intruders don’t want to be seen by anyone, so they won’t want to be under a bright light. Security lights can be a great addition to your garden as well as down your side path, as they will help to deter potential thieves.
Consider adding a gravel pathway
A gravel pathway to your garden or inside your garden is a great idea. It’s a lot more difficult to tread quietly when walking on gravel. This alone can act as a deterrent to any potential intruders who are looking to gain access to your back garden or home.
Invest in a secure shed or outbuilding
If you don’t already have a shed or outbuilding, it’s worth investing in one to keep your valuables safe. Things like lawnmowers, garden tools, and children’s toys may be at risk if you leave them in plain sight. A study outbuilding can provide shelter for your valuables, keeping them out of sight and reach of intruders.
However, it’s important to remember to invest in a solid lock for your outbuildings. Whenever the outbuilding is not in use, ensure that it is securely locked – especially overnight. In some cases, you may wish to install some additional locks for added protection and peace of mind, particularly if you are harbouring some expensive gardening tools in there.
Add a home security camera
Home security cameras are a great first defence against intruders. It’s just as important to install security cameras in your garden as it is at the front of your property. A thief jumping over the fence may go unnoticed, even if you have security cameras placed elsewhere.
With this in mind, it’s worth investing in a quality CCTV set, preferably with multiple cameras that can be placed around the perimeter of your property, helping to keep all areas safe. Place the cameras in plain sight to help deter intruders.
Modern smart cameras come with motion detectors which send an alert to your mobile phone when activated. These are brilliant as they allow you to keep an eye on your property no matter where you are.
Garden security is often the first line of defence for your property. So, with this in mind, it’s definitely worth taking garden security seriously and reviewing it every once in a while to make sure it’s up to scratch. If you can make your garden more secure, you’re less likely to experience intruders or burglars trying to gain access to your property or garden area.
It is a very good idea to place some security lights in and around your garden. Motion detection lights are a great option. These lights have built-in sensors that switch the lights on whenever someone moves near them.
Intruders don’t want to be seen by anyone, so they won’t want to be under a bright light. Security lights can be a great addition to your garden as well as down your side path, as they will help to deter potential thieves.
Consider adding a gravel pathway
A gravel pathway to your garden or inside your garden is a great idea. It’s a lot more difficult to tread quietly when walking on gravel. This alone can act as a deterrent to any potential intruders who are looking to gain access to your back garden or home.
Invest in a secure shed or outbuilding
If you don’t already have a shed or outbuilding, it’s worth investing in one to keep your valuables safe. Things like lawnmowers, garden tools, and children’s toys may be at risk if you leave them in plain sight. A study outbuilding can provide shelter for your valuables, keeping them out of sight and reach of intruders.
However, it’s important to remember to invest in a solid lock for your outbuildings. Whenever the outbuilding is not in use, ensure that it is securely locked – especially overnight. In some cases, you may wish to install some additional locks for added protection and peace of mind, particularly if you are harbouring some expensive gardening tools in there.
Add a home security camera
Home security cameras are a great first defence against intruders. It’s just as important to install security cameras in your garden as it is at the front of your property. A thief jumping over the fence may go unnoticed, even if you have security cameras placed elsewhere.
With this in mind, it’s worth investing in a quality CCTV set, preferably with multiple cameras that can be placed around the perimeter of your property, helping to keep all areas safe. Place the cameras in plain sight to help deter intruders.
Modern smart cameras come with motion detectors which send an alert to your mobile phone when activated. These are brilliant as they allow you to keep an eye on your property no matter where you are.
Garden security is often the first line of defence for your property. So, with this in mind, it’s definitely worth taking garden security seriously and reviewing it every once in a while to make sure it’s up to scratch. If you can make your garden more secure, you’re less likely to experience intruders or burglars trying to gain access to your property or garden area.
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