Security Hints and Tips

Take the right steps to protect your garden by following some of the simple suggestions below. Your garden is the first line of defence against crime as most burglars have to cross your garden or driveway in order to gain access to your property.

Simply by fitting a gate or using defensive planting by drainpipes may deter a potential burgular who would look for an easier target.

• Make an inventory of your garden contents
• valuable plants, trees and shrubs
• garden furniture
• garden tools and equipment, i.e. mowers and power tools
• ponds
• ornaments
• Keep sheds and garages locked
• Secure ornaments, furniture, pots and other movable objects. Expensive plants can be secured in the ground using wire and pegs around the root ball
• Install security lighting, or consider low level lighting on a dusk or dawn sensor which will give good illumination, is cheap to run and is on all night
• Mark your valuable items, including your garden equipment
• Gravel makes an ideal approach to the house as it is noisy when walked on
• Keep boundary fences and hedges at the front of your property low to allow surveillance from neighbours and passers by
• Remove escape routes with a secure boundary or impenetrable hedge
• Consider defensive planting using prickly plants and hedges