PATIO prowlers are plaguing millions of householders up and down the country, a new study reveals today. About 4.2 million Britons have been victims of garden crooks, according to independent research commissioned by the UK's largest insurer, Norwich Union.
PATIO prowlers are plaguing millions of householders up and down the country, a new study reveals today.
bout 4.2 million Britons have been victims of garden crooks, according to independent research commissioned by the UK's largest insurer, Norwich Union.
The survey also reveals:
- Washing on the line and bicycles are the items most likely to be stolen by garden crooks
- Precious plants and ornaments are also high on the hit list for garden thieves
- More than half of garden thefts occur at night (55 per cent), but two in five (39 per cent) take place in broad daylight.
Nick Pierson, head of household product development at Norwich Union Insurance, said: "Homeowners are constantly being reminded to keep their actual houses secure from burglars, but the rest of their property is often forgotten. "Many people have expensive items in their gardens, sheds and garages such as garden furniture, ornaments and plants, which can be easy prey for patio prowlers. Even the washing on the line can be tempting for some criminals. "With more people spending money on their gardens, a few simple deterrents such as a strong padlock on the garden gate, a security light and a decent shed lock will put off all but the most determined of thieves. For extra peace of mind householders should also check that items in the garden are covered by their home insurance policy."
Norwich Union's Home and Garden package can be added to a Home Plus policy. It provides up to Ł2,500 of cover for re-landscaping your garden if it's vandalised and will replace your plants if they are stolen.
To help people protect themselves from patio prowlers, Norwich Union's top 3 tips are:
- Make sure you lock up your shed or garage at night. Open sheds are a tempting sight for opportunist thieves
- If you have bought lots of expensive plants or shrubs, you may want to take out a specialist garden policy
- Never leave bicycles in the open - some policies may limit the level of cover for bikes
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Notes to editors
Norwich Union commissioned Taylor Nelson Sofres to conduct an independent survey of more than 1,000 adults. The survey was carried out in February 2001.
Norwich Union Insurance is the UK's largest general insurer - insuring one in five households.
CGU plc and Norwich Union plc merged on 30 May 2000 to create CGNU plc, the UK's largest insurance group and one of the top-five insurers in Europe with substantial positions in other markets around the world, making it the world's sixth largest insurer based on gross worldwide premiums.
CGNU's principal business activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance, with worldwide premium income and retail investment sales from ongoing business of over Ł27 billion and assets under management of more than Ł210 billion.
From October 2000, the combined life and pensions, general insurance and retail fund management businesses in the UK operate under the Norwich Union brand, while the institutional investment business operates under the Morley Fund Management brand.
For further information or to arrange an interview contact Jane Wheeler or Matthew Buchanan at QBO on 020 7379 0304 or Liz Nicholson at Norwich Union on 08703 666868