Gnoming

Gnomes – once the much mocked toys of old aged pensioners are coming back into fashion. Banned from the Chelsea Flower Show in the last decade, the gnomes were discarded. But thanks to a boon in trendy gardens, with people buying gazebos and high power gas barbeques, the gnome is being welcomed back with open arms. In the eighteen to twenty four year old bracket, gnomes are all the rage, with sixteen percent of home owners in this bracket owning them, second only to the over fifty fives. As these little creatures grow in popularity, so does the act of stealing gnomes, or ‘gnoming’.
Unfortunately, garden theft isn’t limited to the lowly gnome. Nearly twenty eight percent of homeowners have experienced theft of garden possessions, with anything from patio heaters to koi carp being pinched when we are out. London is the capital of garden theft in the UK, with thirty four percent of people having something stolen. Sadly, while people go to great lengths to protect their belongings in their home, they are not so careful with items of worth in the garden. On the whole, people forget to lock sheds and garages, making their belongings easy pickings for thieves all over the country.
Top tips are to be vigilant if you see someone lurking around who shouldn’t be, and keep garden ladders and tools locked in the shed with a padlock while they aren’t in use. Even if you are in the garden, be careful, as an opportunist burglar will pinch anything if given a chance. Make sure that your Contents Insurance policy covers your belongings in the garden.

(Reproduced from Chelsea Football Match, 11th Oct 2010)

Gardien Tip: Those percentages relating to Garden Theft are alarming - advice and products can be found at www.garden-security.co.uk