UK households are being urged to carry out a five-minute check before going on holiday this summer. Security experts advise homeowners to spend a short time securing garden furniture before leaving for the airport.
The Office for National Statistics reported around 622,000 outside thefts last year, a 20 per cent rise on 2024. With properties left unoccupied for days or weeks during summer holidays, thieves are more likely to target valuable items left in gardens, including outdoor sofas, dining sets and BBQs.
Simple steps to reduce risk
Anthony Neary, security expert at Safe.co.uk, advises that one of the simplest ways to reduce the risk of being targeted is to move furniture into a secure shed or garage, which takes just minutes. He also recommends securing outbuildings with a quality padlock, noting these make it physically harder to break in and act as a visual deterrent for opportunistic thieves.
"When going away on holiday, most people prepare a check list of jobs to complete around the house before the big day – gardens should appear on that list too," Anthony says.
Potential savings and deterrence
"Spending just five minutes moving outdoor sofas, dining sets and other valuable items into a shed or garage could save homeowners hundreds of pounds in replacement costs if thieves strike while they're away," he adds.
Anthony continues: "Empty homes are naturally more appealing to opportunistic criminals, particularly during the summer holidays when properties can be left unattended for a week or two at a time. If expensive furniture is left on display in the garden, it can quickly become an easy target."
"If you do store your furniture in a shed or garage, don't forget to secure it properly. A quality padlock costs from as little as £13, but that small investment could make all the difference. Criminals are often looking for the easiest opportunity, so taking a few simple precautions before you leave could be enough to encourage them to move on elsewhere."
