The insurer found that 33% of respondents have had something stolen from their garden and the contents of a typical garden could be £2,000. According to Laura Wood, spokesperson for NFU Mutual, said the value of many gardens is increasing as people spend more on state of the art barbecues, expensive garden furniture and tools.

“Although people review their home security, they often forget about sheds, stores and gardens. Many home insurance policies will cover garden thefts but if you have some particularly valuable items then you should probably specify them on your policy,” Wood added.

NFU Mutual has provided a top tips list for homeowners worried about garden security. It includes checking the limits of your home and contents policy, securing items of value to an immovable object, if possible and taking photographs of valuables and data-tagging or marking them with your postcode, to aid recovery in the event of a theft.

The insurer has also advised homeowners to consider planting prickly or inhospitable plants and bushes around the garden statues and ornaments, fit good locks and motion sensitive security lights, and, where possible, lock items away in a well-secured garage or garden shed. Finally, Wood urged homeowners to consider joining or setting-up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in the area.