{"id":11876,"date":"2019-04-18T16:32:52","date_gmt":"2019-04-18T15:32:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/?p=11876"},"modified":"2025-07-02T13:48:12","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T12:48:12","slug":"how-to-use-your-garden-to-deter-burglars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/how-to-use-your-garden-to-deter-burglars\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use Your Garden to Deter Burglars"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-11879 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/iStock-1134912530.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1254\" height=\"836\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/iStock-1134912530.jpg 1254w, https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/iStock-1134912530-215x143.jpg 215w, https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/iStock-1134912530-495x330.jpg 495w, https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/iStock-1134912530-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/iStock-1134912530-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/iStock-1134912530-750x500.jpg 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1254px) 100vw, 1254px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to securing your home against burglars, thieves and any unwanted visitors, your garden is the first line of defence. While there are many things you can do to improve the security of your garden (as detailed in this <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/2017\/06\/how-to-secure-your-garden\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">previous SafeZone blog post<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), there are a number of things you can do to make the garden itself a barrier to entry. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Plants &amp; Plant Pots<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the things that burglars look for in a house to break into is the speed and ease of getting in and out. So by placing obstacles in their way, like certain types of plants in particular places, you can make a burglar think twice about breaking in. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some plants might even hurt unwanted visitors with spikes or stingers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use plants such as blackthorn, common holly or creeping juniper \u2013 plants that have prickly leaves, or thorny stems, or are generally abrasive \u2013 around boundaries and under windows to make it unappealing to try and get through or over. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to abrasive plants, however, make sure you consider your own use of your garden, especially if you have children or pets. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re using pots rather than beds to plant your plants, then fill the bottoms with rocks and pebbles to make them as heavy and hard to lift as possible. Sometimes thieves use them to break glass, but if they\u2019re unable to lift the pots in your garden, then they won\u2019t be able to throw them. Doing this also provides drainage for your plant, and prevents it from tipping over. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Lighting<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright  wp-image-11887\" src=\"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/89649-330x330.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"208\" height=\"208\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/89649-330x330.jpg 330w, https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/89649-143x143.jpg 143w, https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/89649-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/89649-70x70.jpg 70w, https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/89649-127x127.jpg 127w, https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/89649-476x476.jpg 476w, https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/89649-125x125.jpg 125w, https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/89649.jpg 720w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 208px) 100vw, 208px\" \/>Lighting up your garden not only makes it more pleasant to use in the evenings, but it could help deter burglars from choosing your home to break into. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having lighting that stays on the whole night will be unlikely to deter burglars. It might make their activity more visible to witnesses, but only if they make enough noise to wake someone up. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead, when lighting your garden to deter burglars, consider <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/Categories\/security-lights\/1.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">security floodlights<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Make sure you position your light in a place that you can see from the safety of your home \u2013 there\u2019s no point lighting behind the shed, for instance, as you can\u2019t monitor that area. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A motion-detecting light will surprise a criminal trying to get into your home, making it one of the best choices for security lighting. You should however also take into consideration your neighbours \u2013 make sure that your light is aimed squarely at the place you want to illuminate, and not onto neighbouring properties. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Gravel<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having a gravel path or driveway will help you hear when someone is approaching the house. While it might not wake you up the middle of the night, it might help alert you if a burglar or unwanted visitor approaches during the day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Fencing <\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deter a burglar by installing fencing or boundaries that are tall and hard to get past. Be careful not to exceed 2 metres however, or you\u2019ll need planning permission. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Shed Security<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019ve secured your shed effectively (see this <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/2017\/06\/10-tips-to-protect-your-garden-shed-from-intruders\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">previous post on shed security<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), then your would-be burglar isn\u2019t going to be getting into it any time soon. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft  wp-image-11888\" src=\"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/53242-555x330.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"336\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/53242-555x330.jpg 555w, https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/53242-241x143.jpg 241w, https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/53242-768x456.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/53242-1010x600.jpg 1010w, https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/53242.jpg 1060w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 336px) 100vw, 336px\" \/>A common target for thieves, getting it right can save you hassle, time and money. A quick win that you can do to make your shed more secure is replacing the padlock for something more secure. You can see our range of shed padlocks <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/Categories\/shed-padlocks\/1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with our most popular sellers being the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/products\/yale-weatherproof-51mm-padlock.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yale Y220 Weatherproof 51mm<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> padlock and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/products\/abus-titalium-64ti-40-padlock.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ABUS Titalium 64TI\/40<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> padlock. Whichever you choose, it\u2019s important to go for a lock that\u2019s weatherproof.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you think your shed could be used to get over a fence or into your home, then consider a green (but spiky) roof for your shed. A simple sedum roof interplanted with a spiky plant such as aloe will make the shed roof unpleasant to the touch but pleasant to look at. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>CCTV<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most powerful ways to use your garden to deter burglars is through CCTV surveillance. If a thief spots a camera in your garden, they\u2019re less likely to consider breaking in.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Installed high up and out of reach, CCTV kits can now be controlled via your smartphone, so even if your security lights and gravel fail to wake you up, or your burglar decides to strike during the day, you\u2019ll be notified immediately. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright  wp-image-11889\" src=\"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/102591-330x330.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"199\" height=\"199\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/102591-330x330.jpg 330w, https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/102591-143x143.jpg 143w, https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/102591-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/102591-70x70.jpg 70w, https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/102591-127x127.jpg 127w, https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/102591-476x476.jpg 476w, https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/102591-125x125.jpg 125w, https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/102591.jpg 720w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px\" \/>This <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/products\/yale-all-in-one-hd1080p-outdoor-camera.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yale All in One Camera<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> also includes a security light and an alarm, killing several birds with one stone. An alternative to a traditional CCTV camera on the wall, this <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/products\/ezviz-c3a-battery-camera.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ezviz battery camera<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can be fixed to a garden fence or on the home facing the garden, giving you more freedom to choose the positioning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not only does CCTV deter burglars, it means that in the case of a break in, it could help identify your offender. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When it comes to securing your home against burglars, thieves and any unwanted visitors, your garden is the first line of defence. While there are many things you can do to improve&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":11882,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[280,463,290,448,362],"tags":[],"featured_media_src_url":"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/iStock-1134912530-1-900x600.jpg","acf":{"website_thumbnail":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11876"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11876"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11876\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14654,"href":"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11876\/revisions\/14654"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11882"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11876"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11876"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.safe.co.uk\/safezone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11876"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}