You are here : RIAS / Media centre / Allpressreleases / Garden theft

Please register with RIAS to ensure you are kept informed about any RIAS products or services that may be of interest to you.

26th March 2008

Garden theft a growing problem for homeowners, says RIAS

As the clocks go forward this weekend, gardeners will be tempted back into the garden by milder weather and longer daylight hours. But it’s not just garden centres preparing to do a roaring trade – it’s garden thieves too, advises RIAS.

The increasing popularity of garden makeovers and the concept of the ‘outdoor room’ means that Britons are now spending over £4 billion a year on plants, pots, furniture, garden tools and other garden items, yet many do little or nothing to protect their investment against the rising tide of garden crime, and often leave themselves vulnerable to theft and vandalism.

RIAS has discovered research carried out by gardening organisations, including the Horticultural Trades Association, and police statistics revealing that claims of over 1 million garden thefts per year are not exaggerated.

“Sadly we are all now sitting targets for garden theft,” says RIAS Managing Director Janet Connor, “yet people are not taking anywhere near enough precautions. Most home insurance policy holders don’t realise that the garden and its contents may not be routinely protected by their existing cover in the event of theft, loss or damage, and it’s costing victims as much as £400million per year to replace stolen property. We strongly advise people to check their home insurance policy today, and make sure additional provision for garden cover is added if it is not there already. ”

Garden thieves, as well as green-eyed opportunists, have become bolder over the years: some unscrupulous landscapers steal to order and re-sell plundered assets to unsuspecting clients; ‘garden stripping’ is becoming more common, with people returning home to find their entire garden removed including all plants, trees, water features, furniture, ponds full of fish and even the lawn; and the proceeds of random pilfering lines thieves’ pockets as stolen tools, pots and ornaments end up at car boot sales. Whatever its extent or scale, garden crime is on the rise and causes significant distress and financial loss.

There are several steps RIAS advises homeowners to take can take to lessen the risk of theft:

• always lock away all tools and equipment in a garden shed or garage

• install security lighting which comes on automatically

• consider using gravel in the driveway, or in the access way to the garden, as this acts as audible warning of visitors/intruders

• enclose the garden as much as possible with fencing and lockable gates, as this will make it more difficult for thieves to remove larger items such as furniture

• when buying and digging in new plants, always remove garden centre tags as these are popular targets for thieves

• plant a living barrier to restrict access - throny shrubs such as pyracantha, blackthorn, blue pine and holly are effective deterents

• take photographs of larger, more expensive items such as statues, water features and garden furniture, in case of a claim

• weather can also cause loss and damage in the garden, make sure you protect any moveable items from weather extremes such as high winds and flooding

• make sure the appropriate insurance cover is in place – RIAS offers home insurance policy holders an additional product called Garden Secure which provides extra cover for the garden (details below)

RIAS Garden Secure This provides extra cover for your garden, which is in addition to the cover provided on your buildings and contents insurance. Your garden is probably your pride and joy, so we are pleased to be able to offer you this extra insurance to protect it against damage from vandals and the weather.

What’s insured:

- Walls, gates, fences, patios and trellis
- Hedges, lawns, trees, shrubs and plants Cover includes loss or damage caused by:
- Theft
- Fire, lightning or explosion (smoke/bonfire damage is excluded)
- Storm or flood damage
- Malicious damage
- Accidental damage (caused by any person other than you or your family)
- Damage by wild animals
- TV aerials, dishes or masonry falling from the building
- Branches falling from trees

In the event of a claim there is a £50 excess payable with this cover. Frost/general wear and tear is excluded.

Full details and exclusions can be found in the policy booklet . Your garden will be covered for up to £750 per period of insurance for only £28 per year.

Janet Connor, Managing Director of RIAS is available for further comment and interview. To arrange an interview with, or photography of, Janet, please call Sadie Sheppard on 01202 254489 or e-mail ssheppard@rias.co.uk .

About RIAS

• RIAS was established in 1992 and is a specialist provider of insurance products for the over 50s age group

• RIAS negotiates with a panel of insurers to secure competitive, value for money products · RIAS has over 970,000 customers and employs over 1,200 people across two locations - Bournemouth and Belfast

• In July 2007 RIAS’ home insurance contents and buildings policies received four ‘Best Buy’ awards from Which? magazine

• In December 2007 RIAS won the ‘Personal Lines Broker of the year" award at the Insurance Times awards

For further information:

Sadie Sheppard RIAS Public Relations 01202 254489 ssheppard@rias.co.uk

www.rias.co.uk