Grow hedges to dissuade burglars, advises charity

Monday, June 04 2007 11:01:11 by Editor

Elderly gardeners who are concerned for the security of their property are being advised to cultivate tall, prickly hedges to put would-be burglars off from breaking in.

Age Concern said that by engaging in "defensive gardening", gardeners could help to protect the contents of their homes and gardens.

Chris Stone from Age Concern Norfolk, told the Norwich Evening News: "With summer fast approaching, many people are keen to make their gardens look nice. That means buying patio furniture and investing in water features and benches. This can make burglary and theft from a garden all the more devastating.

"Criminals fear being caught by blood from their DNA and are reluctant to clamber through bushes and shrubs in case they are nicked by the plants."

These thorny hedges don't have to be ugly either, with the fast-growing Pyracantha - which is covered in prickles - recommended by James Debbage, manager of Notcutts Garden Centre, for its white flowers in summer and colourful berries in winter.

"Berberis has nice flowers in spring and colourful foliage, so your garden will look nice. But walking through it would be like walking through barbed wire," he added.

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