I know that the garden world now likes to think of your garden as ‘another room in your home’. I agree and I also believe security of your home starts with your garden.
Fencing should be a minimum of 2.0m ( 6’6” ) high. If you think your fence needs to be higher, then you could consider fence tops or trellis. These are difficult to climb, make a lot of noise when broken and may leave jagged edges which will frustrate and put off intruders. Check around your area to see who has already thought of trellis as a defence to thieves.
Note: If you are unsure on erecting fencing then please contact your Local Planning Department
On my Crime Reduction Course we were told about ‘Defensive Planting'. This is a fancy term for using hedges and bushes to discourage intruders and thieves from climbing onto your property.
So think about using prickly climbers, bushes and hedges ( holly, roses, etc) as a natural protective barrier for your home. If you have ever fallen into a rose bush you will appreciate it’s not a pleasant experience! You could even combine these climbers with the fencing and trellis to make an extremely effective barrier.
Garden furniture should be locked away when not in use or securely anchored to the ground. Think about chaining individual pieces to each other, the ground or wall anchor. Make expensive garden ornaments hard to remove and consider setting them in a concrete base.
And remember – all your property should be marked with your postcode and house number including tools, BBQ’s, garden furniture and lawnmowers.
If you have got any tips to deter garden thieves – I’d love to hear them
