Homeowners can do many things to lessen the impact of a break in on their
home insurance.
So claims Tesco Insurance today. Working in partnership with neighbourhoodwatch.net, the company is providing advice to help consumers decrease the risk of "British summer crime".
It suggests that planting prickly plants under windowsills can held to deter opportunist thieves, while loose trellises added to fences and walls are too unstable to support anyone attempting to climb over them.
Meanwhile, gravel paths create noise - a factor which can help to deter those trying to enter a property.
Mick Kelly, manager of the Neighbourhood Watch website, comments: "Police figures show that over half of all break-ins occur from the back of the house. Now is the time to get out into the garden and make sure your fencing has stood up to the winter gales."
Other advice includes ensuring that sheds are secure and avoiding leaving tools where they can be used to aid a break-in.
Last week, Nationwide Building Society gave details of the value of items commonly left in gardens and urged consumers to make sure their property was kept secure to avoid a personal finance disaster.
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home insurance products suiting the needs of different property owners.