Case Studies

Garden legacy

by Mark Rowe

The ‘Safe & Secure’ crime prevention garden that provoked interest at this summer’s Royal Horticultural Society Hyde Hall Flower Show is leaving a lasting legacy in the area with the possibility of more such gardens at RHS events. The garden, which had techniques incorporated into it to deter opportunistic burglars is part of a project seeking to promote the benefits of defensive planting, within Essex and nationally.

The partnership comprises of Essex Police, Secured by Design, the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) and BALI (British Association of Landscape Industries), who have come together to build a unique Plant Trail at RHS Hyde Hall, Essex. The Trail, which launched at the RHS Hyde Hall Summer Flower Show, shows mature defensive plants, which are also pollinators and are ecologically stable, growing. As a means of reference, an explanatory guide and trail map is available, and all plants will have an SBD branded label to assist with identification.

The Plant Trail will promote suitable RHS, BALI and Bee Conservation Trust agreed defensive plant mixes which are suitable to protect boundaries and vulnerable features of buildings for landscape designers, developers and others.

Essex Police Designing Out Crime Officer (DOCO) Stephen Armson-Smith, is pictured being interviewed on regional ITV Anglia. He said: “Thinking carefully about the layout of a garden can protect both a garden and home from crime by providing an additional layer of security. The aim of the Plant Trail is to raise awareness of the simple measures available and ensure that proper security considerations are given on landscape projects involving new, conservation and established build projects. Nature can help fight back and can supplement conventional security products. Good landscape design, secure fences and the plants themselves, will not only create an aesthetically pleasing garden but also deter criminals.”

Head of site at RHS Hyde Hall Ian Le Gros said: “Well thought out defensive planting as part of garden design can provide an element of security, whilst at the same time provide a pleasant environment to live and work.”

And Secured by Design Development Officer Lyn Poole said; “Garden security is such a great way to enhance the physical security of a home whatever size the house and garden.”

Essex Police are leading on a number of garden security initiatives to help people protect their properties and their gardens. For crime prevention advice, visit https://www.essex.police.uk/advice.

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