1 in 10 UK gardens broken into, new figures show With summer here, keeping outdoor spaces secure should be at the forefront of Bristolians minds as new research finds nearly one in 10 (10%) gardens have been broken into in the past.
When it comes to the most targeted items, thieves appear to be most attracted to tools which have been left in outbuildings, with more than two fifths (42%) of incidents resulting in these items being stolen.
According to the research by published online by Confused.com, victims of theft reported that more than £350 worth of items have been stolen from gardens, garages, sheds and outbuildings in the past.
Nearly two in five (39%) victims also reported their bike as taken.
In total, nearly a fifth (18%) of UK adults who live in a property with at least one of these outdoor spaces have been burgled at least once in the past, with garages the most targeted. In particular, the research found that Bristol is one of the most affected area of the UK. Almost a third (31%) of people living in the region with a garden, shed, garage or outbuilding have been a victim of theft, with more than £450 worth of items stolen, on average. This is followed by people living in the North West, with more than a fifth (22%) of outdoor spaces being broken into and almost £400 worth of items stolen, on average. Meanwhile, Scotland appears to be the safest place to live if you hold valuable items in your outdoor space, with only 8% of people reporting a theft.
However, some thieves have been brave enough to take items directly from gardens with more than a fifth (23%) of victims claiming plants and garden decorations were taken. Most stolen items from outdoor spaces: Tools – 42% Bikes – 39% Plants – 23% Working equipment – 23% Lawnmowers – 23% Garden decorations – 23% BBQs – 21% Furniture – 21% Sporting equipment – 18% Gym equipment – 16% While the average value of items stolen was more than £350, some victims found themselves without some very expensive items. In fact, almost a quarter (24%) claimed more than £500 worth of items have been taken from their outdoor spaces. More than half (53%) of victims went on to claim from their insurer to recover the costs, although this doesn’t always make up for the value stolen. More than three in four (77%) also had to pay out of their own pocket to replace items, forking out approximately £300 of their own money, on average. It seems Brits need to be particularly careful in keeping their outdoor spaces secure, as the research found that gardens, garages, sheds and outbuildings across the UK hold approximately £1,000 worth of items, on average.
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