A crime prevention garden that incorporates elements to deter burglars will be one of the show gardens on display at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Hyde Hall Summer Flower Show in August
‘The Secured Garden’ is a collaboration between Essex Police, Secured by Design (SBD), RHS Hyde Hall and the Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, with support from a number of SBD member companies and local companies.
The crime prevention garden will practically demonstrate how the garden environment can be the first line of defence and innovatively demonstrate the application of defensive layered planting, secure boundaries and physical security measures.
‘Simple and affordable crime prevention measures’
The crime prevention garden has many simple and affordable crime prevention measures incorporated into it to deter opportunistic burglars. These key security features which make the garden safe, secure and sustainable include both physical security products and aspects of defensive planting.
Visitors to the garden have the opportunity to discuss the security features contained within it with specialist Designing Out Crime Officers from Essex Police.
Security features include:
- Plants that can help protect a home
- A shed fitted with a window grill
- Padlocks
- Securing points
- Solar lighting and alarm/camera
- A lockable cycle store
- Secure boundaries and fence toppers
- Gravel pathways
- Lockable garden gate
- Pot/container & plant ‘anchors’
- Security for hanging baskets & property marking products.
‘Green spaces are more than just a garden’
Heather Gurden, strategic designing out crime officer for Essex Police, commented: “Safer green spaces is more than just a garden, it’s about creating a sense of wellbeing, with the security measures in place blending in seamlessly into the background.
“The garden showcases that security does not need to be fortress in nature, but subtle and affordable!”
Showcasing how small changes to your garden can reduce your chances of being a victim of crime
Essex Police chief constable Ben-Julian Harrington added: “Gardens are a place to relax, unwind or spend time with loved ones. They can also be purposeful and help make your home more secure. With a few small changes to your garden you can help protect your home and reduce your chances of being a victim of crime.”
Lyn Poole, Secured by Design, added: “Garden security is such a great way to enhance the physical security of a home whatever size the house and garden. There will be lots of information and ideas at the show for people to take away with them to implement in their own gardens, so I highly recommend paying a visit to the show”.
The Hyde Hall Summer Flower Show runs from Wednesday 3rd to Sunday 7th August.
For further information on the garden, security features contained within it and crime prevention advice, visit https://www.securedbydesign.com/royal-horticultural-society-flower-show.
