It is a sad fact that over the last few years garden theft has become commonplace. Nothing seems to be safe; gardeners have reported thefts of plants, hanging baskets, garden equipment, statuary, stone flags and expensive koi carp. To make it worse, many people discover that their garden contents were not covered by their insurance. Make sure that you check what your household policy covers; there are now special insurance policies that specifically cover garden items.

Whilst insurance is always a good idea, it is also important to try to deter intruders and prevent theft from occurring in the first place. We offer you some tips to make your garden secure without detracting from its looks.

Lights

Lights are an excellent way to improve your night time security and deter thieves. Halogen floodlights may be fitted with an passive infrared sensor that will turn the lights on if there is any movement in the garden. However, make sure you position lights carefully, so that their beam does not shine into your neighbour's property or onto the road.

Boundaries

Ensure that the front of your property does not have any hidden areas where prowlers can lurk unseen; make it as open and clear as possible with view lines into the garden. Any fences, walls or boundary hedges at the front of the house should be no higher than waist level so that any intruders may be clearly seen.

In back gardens, consider planting a prickly boundary hedge such as hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), holly (Ilex) or Japanese apple rose (Rosa rugosa). Alternatively, extend the height of back fences by fixing a 50 cm (20 in) trellis to the top. This will make it more difficult for a burglar to scramble over the fence; not only will the fence be taller, but the flimsy trellis panel will be unable to support a person's weight. The noise of breaking trellis and the risk of injury will be a deterrent in itself. Cover the fence and trellis with thorny plants such as Japanese quince (Chaenomeles), Firethorn (Pyracantha) or climbing and rambling roses.

Gates

Wrought iron gates are often more effective at deterring thieves than solid ones; their ornamental ironwork makes climbing difficult and any intruders can be seen through them. Make wooden gates harder to climb by covering the cross members with a panel to remove obvious footholds.

Make sure that your gate has at least two locks, such as a padlock and hasp at the top plus a barrel bolt near the bottom. Wrought iron gates may be secured using a thick heavy chain with a padlock.

Prevent thieves from sliding the gate off its hinges by positioning the metal pins in each hinge so that they slide in place at different angles to each other.

Paths and Drives

Gravel drives and paths are an excellent way of discreetly discouraging prowlers from your garden. The gravel makes a loud noise underfoot that carries well at night, a time when any thief relies on moving around quietly. It may also be worthwhile spreading gravel near house windows or doors, as the noise of any movement on it may alert you or any dog.

Sheds

Sheds are a very popular target for thieves as they are often packed with expensive tools and equipment. Not only that, but the garden shed can often provide a burglar with an array of house breaking implements, such as ladders, crowbars and spades.

Make sure that your shed is sound and looks robust, and secure the door with at least one heavy-duty hasp and closed-shackle padlock; preferably two.

Use non-returnable screws in hinges, handles and latches and ensure that all opening windows have good window locks. You should also install wire mesh across the inside of any window.

Alarms can be fitted to sheds and other garden buildings; these may be either activated by a door contact or by a passive infra-red detector that detects movement and body heat. It may also be possible to extend a house alarm system to garages, sheds or outbuildings.

Tools

As mentioned previously, garden tools may be used by a thief to force doors, break windows or lift plants. Never leave them laying about, even if they are of little value. Bolt or padlock large, expensive tools such as mowers and power tools to a heavy bench or frame in your shed or, better still, to an inside wall in a more secure place such as a locked garage. Likewise, do not leave ladders to provide easy access to otherwise inaccessible parts of your house. Chain and padlock them to a strong post or wall.

You can store smaller tools in a lockable box that may be secured to a wall anchor. Alternatively, think about constructing a sturdy cage within your shed, garage or outbuilding to store not only your garden tools but also weed killers, insecticides or any other items which may be harmful to health.

Mark all tools and equipment with your postcode and house number, you may also consider painting them a bright distinctive colour to make them less appealing to thieves.

Statuary and Containers

Keep expensive containers and ornaments away from where they may be viewed from the roadside or secure them with either permanent or land anchors. Both types are hammered into the ground, and the object secured to it by chain and padlock. You may also want to consider protecting them further by installing remote movement detectors connected electronically to an alarm in your house. However, these alarms should only be used for heavy items that are stable in wind and not subject to innocent knocks.

Plants

Screen valuable plants so that they can not be seen from the road. Tether new large specimen trees with land anchors. If you plant hanging baskets, make sure you buy secure types with integral baskets padlocked to a rigid supporting bracket.