Garden theft expected to soar as British summertime starts

With the clocks set to go forward this Sunday (March 25th) marking the official start of British summertime, homeowners are eager to get outside and enjoy their gardens. But before they pull out the patio furniture, Halifax Home Insurance advises them to take steps to protect their homes from opportunistic garden thieves.

Last year, Halifax Home Insurance claims for garden theft tripled between March and August, with the average claim costing almost £400. The area most prone to garden theft was Stoke-on-Trent, followed by Doncaster and Southampton. Items thieves look out for include tools, barbecues, bicycles and garden furniture.

Halifax Home Insurance's senior manager of underwriting, Vicky Emmott said, "Homeowners can forget to pay as much attention to security outside the house as they do inside. With many people realising how much value they can add to their property by improving their gardens, there are now rich pickings for thieves, and now is the time to take steps to avoid becoming the next victim."

The following tips can help homeowners foil the green-fingered thieves:

Ensure garden sheds, gates, garages and outbuildings remain securely locked at all times

Put bricks in the bottom of patio tubs to make them harder for thieves to carry

Mark valuable items such as ornaments and furniture with your postcode, and keep photographs of your garden furniture and ornaments as a record in case anything is stolen or vandalised

Join your local neighbourhood watch scheme, or start one up if there isn't one in your area. Halifax Home Insurance offers discounts on premiums for people who are part of a scheme

High walls, spiked fences and prickly hedges can make your garden less accessible to would-be thieves

Gravel on driveways and in gardens can help deter thieves as they can be heard approaching the garden

Don't leave items of value such as tools, lawnmowers or bicycles outside in the garden – lock them away out of sight.

Homeowners are also advised to check their home insurance policies to make sure they are covered should they fall prey to garden thieves. Halifax Home Insurance offers up to £500 for replacement of plants, trees and shrubs that are stolen, and a further £500 for contents in the open such as garden furniture, ornaments and barbecues. Contents of outbuildings such as greenhouses, sheds and garages are insured up to £2,000.

Top ten worst hit areas for garden theft

1. Stoke-on-Trent
2. Doncaster, Barnsley and Rotherham
3. Southampton
4. Wakefield and Huddersfield
5. Nottingham
6. Newcastle upon Tyne
7. Manchester
8. Leeds
9. Guildford
10. Bradford