A fifth of households have had items stolen from their gardens, new data shows.
This is perhaps unsurprising given households have goods worth £800 on average in their outdoor spaces.
For many, the total value may be worth than they expect if they haven’t added up the cost of items they’ve collected in their gardens over the years.
The research by insurer Aviva suggested that 16 per cent have garden items worth more than £1,000, with some spending five figure sums on their outdoor additions.
Households have goods worth £800 on average in their outdoor spaces, including outdoor furniture
Aviva has revealed the most popular items owned by people with gardens and outdoor spaces
The insurer said the claims it receives for outdoor accessories each year range from a few hundred to several thousand pounds.
Stolen items include egg chairs, outdoor sofas, ornaments, hot tubs, barbecues – and even a 10 foot trampoline and a metal elephant weighing 100 kilograms.
A total of 48 per cent of householders with outside spaces also said they have had an outdoor accessory damaged by the weather, according to the study.
Despite this, only 14 per cent of people lock away all of their movable garden items when not in use, while nearly a third – at 30 per cent – admit they don’t put any accessories away after use.
The most popular items found in outdoor spaces include garden furniture, BBQs and gazebos
Kelly Whittington, of Aviva, said: ‘With children off school and the summer holiday season underway, millions of households will be looking forward to spending time in their gardens and yards.
‘Many people have invested in items for their outdoor spaces after spending time at home over the last couple of years. These accessories could attract the attention of thieves, who may have their eye on any portable possessions.
‘Even bulky and heavy items such as sculptures, trampolines and three-piece garden suites can be taken by professional criminals, so we’d urge people to take precautions.
‘Secure items where possible or lock them away when not use. Hopefully this will help to make sure owners are the only ones enjoying their outdoor accessories.’
