A garden is a sanctuary where you can relax and enjoy nature, but in order to really unwind, you need to be sure your garden security is up to scratch. A secure garden is essential to protect your home because it’s one of the ways an intruder will try to gain access to your home.

One of the areas that require close attention for a truly safe garden is your gates and fences, since intruders can easily scale over your garden fence or gate if they’re not secure enough. That’s why it’s essential to implement measures that will secure your garden gates and fences against climbing intruders.

Why are thieves attracted to gardens?

Before we look at the ways you can secure your garden, let’s explore why thieves choose to enter gardens as a means of entry and what attracts them to this part of your home. One in ten UK gardens are broken into every year and that is because they’re an easy point of entry in many homes. In fact, an intruder can often be in and out of your garden in just a few minutes if you haven’t got the right security measures in place.

Gardens house valuable items from bicycles to lawnmowers, garden and power tools to sports kit, so they’re an appealing option for thieves. But it’s also the case that if your garden isn’t secured properly, your home isn’t likely to be either, which means it’s an easy target for a criminal.

Here are some tips on how to secure your garden gates and fences against intruders.

Hot Dipped Galvanized 358 Anti-Climb Fence

Install anti-climb spikes on your garden fences

Anti-climb spikes are an effective form of garden fence security, preventing intruders from climbing over and into your garden. These spikes are available in different sizes and can be installed on top of any fence or gate.

Made of metal or plastic, they have sharp edges that make it difficult for intruders to climb over your fence or gate, protecting your property from unauthorised access. Anti-climb spikes are a simple and cost-effective solution that can be installed quickly but are highly effective at keeping out those you don’t want in your home.

Plant Thorny Shrubs Along Your Garden Fence

Planting thorny shrubs like holly or roses along your garden fence is another effective form of security for fences around your property. The thorns on these shrubs make it difficult for intruders to climb over your fence or gate, so they act as a natural barrier, making it difficult for intruders to access your garden and, ultimately, your home.

Planting them through a trellis can actually make your garden even more protected. The strength of a trellis lies, somewhat ironically, in its weakness since anyone trying to climb it would find it would break under their weight. Make sure you fix your trellis to your fence panels very securely and use stainless steel or galvanised fixings so that they’re protected against moisture and rot.

Use Padlocks and Bolts to Secure Your Garden Gate

One of the easiest ways to protect garden assets is with bolts and padlocks. Using padlocks and bolts to secure your garden gate is a simple and effective way of preventing unauthorised access to your garden, and keeping items like garden equipment, power tools or bikes and sports equipment safe from theft. Make sure to choose high-quality padlocks and bolts that are difficult to pick or break.

There are several options to choose from. Long throw gate locks are great for securing timber gates and they can be opened with a key from either side, which makes them a convenient solution. Mortice locks are also useful for metal gates as they offer a high level of security for your garden and home. Alternatively, a haspe and staple lock, when secured with a strong padlock, will deliver a great level of security but bear in mind that it can only be accessed from one side.

Put motion sensor lights in place

Installing motion sensor lights is another effective way of improving garden gate security and deterring unwanted access to your property. Motion sensor lights are activated when they detect movement, and this can deter intruders from climbing over your fence or gate, as well as alert you or your neighbours that someone is in the garden.

Naturally, they’re also an advantage for you and your visitors when it’s dark out and you want visibility when you’re entering or exiting your property. The best light source is a motion sensor light with LED bulbs, as these are not only more energy efficient but they also offer a longer service life and give 100% light output instantly. Motion sensor lights come in a range of options, from ceiling lights for covered outdoor areas like porches and terraces, to wall lights and path lights.

Implement a security camera system

Installing a security camera system is an effective way of monitoring your garden gates and fences. With a security camera system, you can easily detect any intruders trying to climb over your fence or gate. Additionally, a security camera system can also act as a deterrent, making it less likely for intruders to attempt to access your garden. Most outdoor security cameras work via a Wi-Fi radio which connects to your home network so you can access them at any time, but some may use Bluetooth, Ethernet or another wireless technology to connect to a dedicated mobile app or a dedicated hub.

Wireless security cameras are easy to install, especially compared to their wired counterparts, but if you want the simplest option then battery-powered cameras are the best solution as they can be installed just about anywhere, provided they can connect to your router.

Install a fence alarm system

Installing a fence alarm system is an effective way of securing your garden fence against climbing intruders. Fence alarm systems are designed to detect any attempt to climb over your fence or cut through it. If an intruder tries to climb over your fence, the alarm will be triggered, alerting you to the activity and scaring away the intruder in the process.

Use a DuraPost system

A DuraPost system is a fantastic way to elevate the security of your garden. Made from galvanised steel posts, it is combined with regular fencing panels and each panel is secured to the DuraPost with screws.

This means that a potential intruder can’t slide the fence panel up, which is known to be one of the most common ways that criminals get in and out of gardens quickly without being spotted. It’s much more common with slotted concrete posts, so using DuraPost panels removes this risk. Using cover strips will extend the lifespan of your DuraPost system even further, protecting the screws you have in place to prevent access and increase safety further.

Put up warning signs

Warning signs may not be something you’ve considered before but they offer several benefits for your garden security. They not only reduce your liability in regards to the Occupiers’ Liability Act but they can serve as a deterrent. Make sure they’re clearly visible on the public side of your boundary fencing and on any walls where it could be expected that someone trying to approach your property would see them.

You may even want to put them on both sides of fences and walls to cover yourself fully against any liability that may be placed on you as a homeowner and to ensure that anyone on your land will see them. The signs you use should be relevant to the impending danger, such as stating that there are anti-climb spikes if you have them in place.

Use anti-climb paint

Anti-climb paint is easy to find at your local DIY shop or from a locksmith, and it’s typically supplied in 1 or 5 litre tins. The slipperiness of the paint makes it impossible for anyone to climb a structure where it’s been used, as it doesn’t set like regular paints do. It’s a great way of deterring people from climbing up rainwater pipes or poles, but it should not be used on walls, roofs or fences.

You don’t want to paint this type of paint on any structure lower than 2.4m as you may find that you or some other innocent party gets covered in it. It’s a good idea to use anti-climb paint in conjunction with a warning sign. If you’re looking to find a non-aggressive security solution that can be used alongside other measures like cameras and thorny plants, anti-climb paint is a great solution.

Final thoughts

Creating a secure garden means thinking beyond garden security locks on your gates and doors, and looking at your garden through the eyes of an intruder. From here, you’ll be able to spot vulnerabilities more clearly and protect your home from criminal activity by taking the appropriate precautions. From anti-climb paint on any vertical structures to thinking about planting thorny shrubs and plants that will make it harder for a criminal to access your property, your garden can be redesigned in various ways to make it more secure and a safer place to be.