A LOCAL safer neighbourhood policing team have offered garden security advice to residents ahead of the fast-approaching summer months.
Hagley and Rubery Safer Neighbourhood Team’s first piece of advice vocalises the importance of keeping gates, fences, and walls in good repair to keep intruders out.
Where possible rear fences should be high enough to make climbing over difficult and trellis’ can be used to add additional height where necessary.
Side gates should be as close to the front of the property as possible, as thieves are put off by being in full view of the neighbours and passers-by.
Residents should always avoid leaving expensive equipment such as garden tools, mowers and bikes unattended or unsecured. Where it is not possible to store items in the home or a garage, consider a secure shed as a storage option.
Keeping your shed in good condition with secure padlocks, meshed windows and even fitting an alarm can deter intruders.
If large items such as bikes must be left in the open, consider chaining them together making them harder for a thief to carry.
Marking garden tools and equipment with your postcode can help your items be identified and returned if stolen.
Well positioned, external lighting can also be a great deterrent for intruders.
Never leave ladders and tools lying around in your garden, as these can be used to break into your home. Where possible secure your ladder with fixtures to the inside of your shed or garage.
Growing prickly plants close to vulnerable areas such as windows, fences, boundary walls and drainpipes act as a good deterrent.
Examples of defensive plants include Berberis, a vibrant shrub with vivid red leaves and sharp spine-like prickles. These can grow to 6ft high and are good for hedging and growing by walls.
Rosa Rugosa or ‘Rubra’ is a flowering shrub with densely prickled stems, an excellent option for hedging which can also reach 6ft.
Pyracantha, a vigorous evergreen shrub with white flowers in May, followed by orange or red berries is another great hedging plant, useful for growing under windows and around doorways.
Holly, another excellent hedging plant, can reach up to 50ft and has spiny leaves all year round.
Whilst defensive plants should not be a replacement for traditional security methods, asking your local gardener for advice on these defensive plant options can add that extra element of security.
Police have also offered advice on keeping expensive pond fish safe from thieves.
Koi carp can cost hundreds of pounds and can be protected by calling on previous advice around defensive plants, installing CCTV as a deterrent, which doubles as a way to keep an eye on your wildlife activity.
Always take good quality photographs of your Koi to help identify them in the event they are stolen. Consider distinguishing features, patterns or markings that can separate them from others on the market.
Where possible, fitting a grille and locking it down to cover a pond can protect your fish from natural predators such as heron, can help keep your children safe around the water and prevent thieves from removing your fish.
Speak to your local aquatics centre for more advice on keeping your Koi save from thieves.
