Last updated 11:24, Thursday, 26 June 2008

GARDEN pests are not all green and wriggly or brown and multi-legged. Some have just two legs, strong arms and an un-marked white van.

These garden pests are not after your tender succulents; they crave your top-of-the-range Hayter, your granite Japanese pagoda, and your bronze planters.

We in the North East spend almost £100m annually on our gardens – that works out at £100 for every household. And every year a percentage of us lose our carefully-selected garden additions to thieves.

One home insurer, Sainsbury’s, estimates its average payout for theft from gardens is nearly £300, and warns people to take action now.

Sainsbury's Home Insurance manager Neil Laird said: “Garden theft is on the increase and people need to take care to protect their homes. Homeowners need to review their garden security and ensure they have adequate insurance.

“Homes seen to have ‘rich-pickings’ that are left unsecured, may be targeted again and again, so as well as tightening up security it’s worth picking a home insurance policy that allows you to benefit from and protect your no-claims discount.”

To tighten your garden security:

l Photograph garden ornaments and mark them with your postcode. Do the mower as well while you’re at it.

l Start up or join a local Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.

l Put a brick or two into the bottom of large pots to make them heavier – why make it easy for the thieves?

l Keep garden statues near the house and if possible bolt them to the ground.

l Spread gravel on driveways. It’s impossible to walk silently on shingle.

l If you have expensive items in your garden, ask your home-insurance provider whether you need a specialist policy to cover them.

l Install outside security lighting that is triggered after dark by movement.

l If you have a burglar alarm, you could extend it to cover your shed and other outbuildings.

l Make sure the shed is locked, or cheeky thieves could use your own tools to break into your home.

l Consider installing five-lever mortice locks and key operated locks.