Gardens are a 'haven for criminals'
06/05/2008
Gardens have become the latest area of focus for thieves in the UK, with annual insurance claims expected to reach £300 million.
The insurance company RIAS said thefts from the country's gardens have more than doubled and has estimated that one in seven homes will be targeted this summer, reports the Daily Mail.
Experts have said that a recent increase in interest in gardening has led to the spate of crime, with plants, tress and equipment being worth hundreds.
Bill Seddon, managing director of garden security company Gardien, told the newspaper: "People need to add up how much their garden is worth and get proper security and insurance.
"Antique statues are stolen all the time but increasingly whole lawns are being uprooted, as are bricks, benches and plants."
The newspaper reports that people in the UK spend £4 billion on their garden each year, with barbeques, patio heaters decking and outdoor furniture providing the bulk of the cost.
Janet Connor, the managing director of RIAS, said that simple measures like locking garages and sheds can help keep criminals at bay.
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