Monday, June 1, 2009

Garden theft risk warning

As Brits drag the BBQs and patio furniture out of the shed for the start of the summer, gardens are being targeted by thieves. Home insurance comparison website Gocompare.com found 24.2 per cent of Brits have been the victim of outdoor theft, with the average garden containing £1,040 worth of outdoor furniture, BBQs, garden tools and children's play equipment. Of those who have been victims of garden theft, 52 per cent had their bicycles stolen, while 13 per cent lost valuable furniture, expensive plants and garden and one in ten people had a BBQ taken. Bicycles, trampolines and BBQs were also targets for vandalism, the comparison site said. Hayley Parsons, chief executive of Gocompare.com, said: "Most home insurance policies provide cover for gardens and their contents, but this can be limited, so it is best to check what cover you have and whether you need to extend it. "If the contents of your garden are particularly valuable, you may need to consider a specialist garden insurance policy." Over a third admit they have not spent anything on garden security in the last 12 months and a further 35 per cent said they had spent less than £100, Gocompare.com added. "As a rule, we would advise people to try to prevent and deter garden crime rather than rely on their home insurance," Ms Parsons said. Gocompare.com suggests garden lovers keep boundary hedges and fences in good order to keep them secure and consider defensive planting of prickly shrubs or hedges, as well as keeping outdoor possessions in a locked shed or garage. Installing security lighting and using a security pen to mark valuable items that are left in the open are also good ways of deterring theft.

(Reproduced from www.myfinances.co.uk, June 1st)

GARDIEN TIP: The above is a small fraction of the advice on offer at www.garden-security.co.uk

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