Garden Gnome Makes a Comeback

The garden gnome is back in favour and considered hip ‘n’ happening by many but as the designer gnome grows in popularity so does stealing them.

According to a MORE TH>N Garden Study, 18-24 year olds now lead the way in the gnome ownership stakes.

Designer garden gnomes are becoming increasingly popular, even Rio Ferdinand apparently has his own bespoke collection.

Sadly though ‘gnoming’,the act of stealing gnomes, becomes more commonplace. Already over 25% of gnome owners say they’ve had at least one of their ‘little people’ stolen.

MORE TH>N has created the world’s first electronically tagged gnome, ‘Chip’, and donated it to perhaps the most famous ‘gnoming’ victim in the UK – a lady who had her gnome ‘Murphy’ stolen only to have it returned months later complete with photo album of where it had been, including the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the ruins of Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

But it’s not only garden gnomes that are being targeted by thieves, so too are such as barbies, patio heaters, plant and Koi carp.

But we are notorious for not taking garden security seriously and as MORE TH>N spokesperson Pete Markey comments, “British gardens nowadays contain many valuable items and leaving them exposed is the outdoor equivalent of leaving the front door open, providing easy pickings for thieves.”

To help prevent garden theft taking place, MORE TH>N recommends:

• Keep your hedges tidy and trim to reduce the number of places a thief can hide;
• Use lighting as a good deterrent to thieves. The best to use is high-efficiency low-energy that comes on from dusk until dawn;
• Use fences and gates to help prevent prowlers getting into the backs and sides of your home where they won’t be seen by passers-by;
• Consider gravel driveways as they are noisy to walk on, which will put intruders off;
• Create extra obstacles for thieves by using such as thorn bushes and prickly plants along the edge of the garden or fences;
• Make sure you have a lock on garden sheds, particularly if they contain garden tools and ladders as these could aid a burglar’s entry to the property; and
• Be vigilant in the neighbourhood, if you see someone acting suspiciously call the police.

Obviously make sure you also have appropriate home insurance in place should you find yourself the unfortunate victim of garden theft.

If you have a high value home or contents then standard buildings and contents insurance is unlikely to extend to fully service your needs. You may be better placed to take out a High Value or High Net Worth insurance policy to ensure that you have your buildings, contents and valuables adequately insured.