There’s no place like gnome

They've been mocked for being tacky and dated - and were even banned by the Chelsea Flower Show - but in an age where designer garden furniture, gazebos and high-power gas barbecues are all the rage, garden gnomes are making a serious comeback; thanks in part to a new army of trendy young fans.
It's hip ‘n' happening 18-24 year olds (16%) that now lead the way in the gnome ownership stakes, second only to over 55's (18%), according to data included in the MORE TH>N Garden Study, a comprehensive survey of the nation's gardening habits.
As well as detailing the average values of items in British gardens, the study reveals which are the most susceptible to theft too - a serious issue for the gnome-owning Brit.
As the designer gnome grows in popularity and more and more celebrities adopt them (Rio Ferdinand has his own bespoke collection), so ‘gnoming', the act of stealing gnomes, becomes more commonplace. Already over one in four (27%) gnome owners say they've had at least one of their ‘little people' stolen.
To highlight the problem, MORE TH>N has created the world's first electronically tagged gnome, aptly named ‘Chip', and donated it to the arguably the most famous ‘gnoming' victim in the UK.
In August 2008, Gloucestershire pensioner Eve Stuart-Kelso had her gnome, Murphy, stolen from her garden - only for the little fella to re-appear seven months later with a mysterious parcel from his captor. As well as a note in which Murphy explained how his impromptu world tour was down to ‘itchy feet', also attached was a leather bound photo-album containing 48 photographs, showing Murphy everywhere from the Great Barrier Reef in Australia to the ancient ruins of Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
An electronic tag should help keep Murphy and Chip safe, but the study from MORE TH>N shows how garden theft is far from restricted to the humble gnome. The figures reveal how nearly one third of us (28%) have experienced a theft from our back yards - with everything from barbies and patio heaters to plants and Koi carp being swiped by uninvited intruders.
And while we go to great lengths to protect the belongings within our homes, Brits are more than slack when it comes to garden security. For 15% of us, the best we can do is place items in an un-locked shed, though even more worryingly, 35% take no garden security measures whatsoever.
Other key findings from the study show that:
London is the garden theft capital of Britain with 34% of residents having had items stolen - the South East is the safest region where just 18% have experienced a theft;
No one spends more on garden luxuries than people in East Anglia - topping the average spend on both garden furniture (£359) and barbecues (£168); and
The South West is the gnome capital of the UK - 18% of gardens in the region are populated with gnomes.
MORE TH>N spokesperson Pete Markey comments, "In many ways gnomes are a British institution so it's great to see they're moving with the times and enjoying a resurgence. As the data shows though, ‘gnoming' is already a problem and it could become more prevalent if people don't start taking the issue of garden security more seriously. 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 as it reduces the number of places a thief can hide;
Lighting can be a good deterrent to thieves. The best to use is high-efficiency low-energy that comes on from dusk until dawn;
Fencing and gates can 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 it's noisy to walk on, which will put intruders off;
Thorn bushes and prickly plants along the edge of the garden or fences can make an extra obstacle for thieves;
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.
For more details of the MORE TH>N Home Insurance offerings, visit morethan.com.

(Reproduced from www.easier.com Sept 2nd 2010)

Gardien Tip: All the advice you need and products to minimise risk can be found at www.garden-security.co.uk