Thieves target gardens in new crime trend
Gardens are the latest target of thieves hoping to pick up a plant, pot or equipment often left lying around the yard.
According to More Th>n Home Insurance one in every five gardens has been pilfered by thieves in the past year.
Among the top most stolen items are hanging baskets, bay trees and rose standards.
"As we've seen from recent incidents of lead being stolen from roofs, thieves are casting their nets ever wider in the search for objects to steal,” Janet Connor, managing director for More Th>n said.
“And as this research unfortunately shows, garden plants and trees are now firmly on the list.”
The research found that on average thieves are taking £72.21 worth of plants and trees each time they raid a garden.
The garden is an easy target because it can be accessed with ease, has virtually no security and many objects can be picked up and carried away with minimal effort.
Items at the front of the house are in more danger with the front targeted in 70 per cent of cases.
Respondents claim to have had pot plants and trees swiped from right outside their front doors and as soon as these objects have been uprooted they are used to decorate the thieves' garden, sold on to dealers or sold at markets and car boot sales.
The top most stolen garden items are:
1. Hanging baskets
2. Bay trees
3. Rose standards
4. Olive trees
5. Rare lilies
6. Bonsais
7. Miniature palm trees
8. Magnolia trees
9. Daphne shrubs
10. Conifers
Plants such as the bay tree go for as much as £60 at the markets and can make the thief a pretty penny.
Ms Connor suggests keeping on the lookout for garden thieves, staying vigilant and considering insuring your garden items.
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Tags:
- garden ,
- home security
