Garden gates and fences

General garden security

• Grow prickly plants, trees and hedges next to your wall or fence - this would make somebody think twice about intruding.
• Use anti-climb paint on drain pipes to protect windows, flat roofs and ledges that may be accessible from your drainpipe.
• Put away your garden tools into your garage or shed and use a bicycle lock to secure them to a fixed object inside. A fixed object could be a workbench, metal railings, or something bulky and hard to move.

Protecting your boudaries - Garden gates and fences

• Grow prickly plants next to your wall or fence - this means that any intruder would have to tackle two tricky obstacles.
• A holly bush - like 'Ilex Aquifolium' - offers good protection to your property.
• A tree - like 'Paul's Scarlet' - also has prickly thorns and is an effective barrier. It sheds its leaves in autumn, allowing your neighbours to see your home in winter.
• Burglars don't like gravel; it's noisy to walk on- putting gravel on your driveway, paths or around your house will deter burglars.
• Remove and secure items that may be used to break in or climb up.
• Ladders and garden tools should be locked away.

Fences

• Prevent easy access to the back and sides of your home by locked gates, 2 metre minimum fencing or walls. Trellis topping also makes climbing difficult.  Burglars will want to gain access at the rear of the property where they are less likely to be seen.
• To the front of the property low fences and low hedging make burglars more likely to be seen. They will make burglars think twice about approaching your property.
• Use fences with trellis on its top to make it difficult for intruders to climb over your property's boundary. You can still see through fences with trellis.
• Can your neighbours see the front and back of your home? It's good if they can - they could spot any intruders.