Lack of storage space fuels garden thefts

Leaving belongings unsecured in the garden and outbuildings makes homeowners susceptible to theft, according to Esure Home Insurance.

More than one in 10 homeowners will be spending over £500 on their gardens this year - buying items such as tools, equipment, ornaments and furniture - yet many are running out of space to keep their garden possessions secure and aren't protecting their property.

With almost 650,0000 households having fallen victim to garden theft in the last 12 months, according to Esure, it’s crucial to have a secure garden and ensure anything of value is locked away when not in use.

The research showed nine in 10 homeowners regularly leave items out in the garden overnight, with jet-powered hoses topping the list, followed by children’s toys and garden tools. A lack of storage space is the key reason given by homeowners for not locking away their belongings and allowing their garden to be a treasure trove for opportunistic thieves.

A combined lack of storage space and a lack of motivation to improve basic garden security may be to blame for many garden thefts in the UK. The survey highlighted that 69% of homeowners have never thought about improving the security of their gardens, with one in 10 have considering it but not acting upon it. A basic way to help deter intruders is to fit sensor lighting, yet over half of households don’t have this facility and one in 10 of those that have it do don’t even switch it on.

Mike Pickard, head of risk and underwriting at esure Home Insurance, said: “The trend towards converting useful storage space into valuable living space and the nation’s obsession with hoarding clutter is putting pressure on garden storage and may cause a surge in garden theft as belongings are left unsecured and vulnerable.

“Even household items are now being stored outdoors, blurring the distinction between home contents and outbuilding and garden contents. Homeowners should check the limits of their insurance policies because some are relatively low and in the event of an ‘outdoor’ theft not everything may be covered if your shed is bulging with valuables.”