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Garden thieves will make off with statues, trampolines and three-piece garden suits, an insurer is warning.

According to Aviva, outdoor sofas, egg chairs, hot tubs and barbecues are among the garden items that people have claimed to have been attacked by thieves.

The insurer said it claimed it included a 10-foot trampoline and a metal elephant weighing 100 kg.

The insurer’s research, which began a survey of more than 1,700 UK adults with an outdoor space in July, found that one in six (16%) owned garden items worth more than £1,000 in total.

We urge people to take precautionsKelly Whittington, Aviva

The average value of people’s garden supplies was £800.

Aviva said it settles hundreds of theft claims each year for outdoor items, with claim values ​​ranging from a few hundred pounds to several thousands.

According to an Aviva study, nearly half (48%) of households with outdoor spaces also say that their outdoor accessories have been damaged due to the weather.

Despite this, only 14% of people turn off all their movable garden items when not in use, while almost a third (30%) do not put any items away after use.

Kelly Whittington, property claims director for Aviva, said: “With kids back to school and the summer holiday season, millions of UK families 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 years. While this is good news for residents, these items can also attract the attention of thieves who may have their eyes on any portable property.

“Our claims experience shows that even heavy and bulky objects such as sculptures, trampolines and three-piece garden suits can be carried by professional criminals, so we urge people to exercise caution – secure items where possible Keeping or turning them off when not in use. Hope this helps to ensure that only the owners are enjoying their outdoor belongings.”

Aviva has some tips to help people protect their garden items:

1. If you have a door to your garden or yard, keep it closed, or better still. The presence of bus gates can act as a deterrent and a physical barrier can help thwart opportunistic thieves.

2. Many home insurance policies do not pay for normal wear and tear, so protect your garden furniture with suitable covers when they are not in use. If you can, store in a safe and dry place during the colder months to avoid damaging your furniture.

3. Avoid any wear and tear due to windy weather by securing any ornaments or valuable garden tools. It also prevents thieves from escaping with your belongings.

4. Some insurance policies may specify that certain items, such as bicycles, are covered only if they are closed or protected at a certain point when not in use. Check the terms of your policy – and better still, store your items in a safe place.

5. If you have high-value items in your garden such as a top-class barbecue or more luxurious garden furniture, you may need to insure them separately.

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