Crime Prevention Advice for your Garden

Securing your shed or garage might not be the first thing to cross your mind when you think of crime prevention. However, with the array of lawnmowers, power tools, garden equipment, bicycles and sports equipment kept in them, security measures should certainly be put into place.

The value of property inside sheds and garages is often much higher than you first imagine. The expensive items in can be attractive to thieves and an intruder can even use your tools and ladders to break into your home. For this reason it is worth checking to make sure your household contents insurance also covers your outbuildings.

Often garages and sheds are left unlocked or without any appropriate security, such as padlocks, chains or lighting. By installing these simple items you can give better protection to your property.

Gates and fences at the back of the house can be a deterrent to burglars and if the front of your house is kept visible to passers by, it will prevent them from being able to work unseen.

Plant protection is another way of guarding your property. A selection of thorny bushes and prickly plants planted near to potential access routes, such as fences and walls, are not only a visual deterrent but also a physical barrier to intruders. While these methods are ideal for making forced entry difficult through natural means, they should not replace traditional security measures such as padlocks, bolts and chains.