Garden security

Thinking carefully about security and the layout of your garden can help protect it and your home from crime.

Working with Parker's Garden Company in Frinton and local businesses and organisations, Essex Police has created a real life garden specially designed to highlight some of the simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime.

The garden is the first of its kind and can help visitors to the nursery learn how extra security can help protect their garden and their home.



Secured by Design is the official UK Police initiative supporting the principles of ‘designing out crime’. By applying Secured by Design principles you can significantly reduce the risk of being a victim of crime.

You don’t have to live in a fortress to feel safe but you might like to consider some of the ideas highlighted in the garden plan below:




1.Shed

Sheds typically contain tools, bikes and gardening equipment which are not just valuable but which could prove useful to a burglar, so secure the door with padbolts and close-shackle padlocks or a padlock alarm.

Hinges should be fitted using coach bolts and large backing washers.

You could also think about installing a shed alarm and a lockable chest for chemicals and valuable equipment.

2. Fence

Rear fences should be 2 metres high including a trellis to support plants but not to support the weight of a possible intruder.

Keep fences and plants in the front garden below 1 metre in height so you don't give potential burglars somewhere to hide.

3. Defensive planting

Reinforce the garden’s perimeter by planting prickly shrubs or a thorny hedge and train them to grow on trellis on top of 1.8 metre fencing to deter potential offenders.

4. Lighting

Lighting can deter or draw attention to thieves. Use energy saving bulbs activated by a dawn to dusk sensor.

5. Gravel

Lay gravel on paths and beneath doors and ground-floor windows - burglars don't like it because it's noisy to walk on.

6. Side gate

Side gates should be solid, flat faced and the same height as the fence. Secure with padbolts top and bottom, padlocks and a spring return.

7. Planter

Secure plant pots to the ground using a bolt and retaining anchor plate and mark tools and furniture with your postcode followed by your house number e.g, CM1 1PX 11

8. Oil tank

Secure an oil tank with padlocks, oil level gauge, security lighting and defensive planting. Speak to your local Crime Reduction officer for information on suitable alarms.