A ‘Safe & Secure’ crime prevention garden incorporating proven techniques to deter opportunistic burglars will be on display at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Hyde Hall Summer Flower Show near Chelmsford from July 31 to August 4.
Aiming to raise awareness of garden security, the garden is by Essex Police, Secured by Design and RHS Hyde Hall, with support from local companies. The garden has deterrents against opportunistic burglars – what police call affordable crime prevention measures which can be used in any front or rear garden to add a layer of security to a home.
Those security features to make the garden safe, secure and sustainable include physical security products and ‘defensive planting’. Visitors can discuss the security features with Crime Prevention Officers from Essex Police. This will be the first time that a garden like this will have featured at this annual show, at Rettendon.
Essex Police Designing Out Crime Officer Stephen Armson-Smith said: “As Designing Out Crime Officers, we know the value of working in partnership, such as with the Royal Horticultural Society to benefit from their expertise. I would like to thank the RHS and our sponsors for all their hard work and generosity in creating this wonderful garden, where collaboratively we can demonstrate how both nature and security can work together to create a beautiful, safe and secure Garden”.
Head of site at RHS Garden 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. We hope visitors will be inspired by the garden and see for themselves that there are several things that can be done to improve security in the garden – most of which are relatively quick and inexpensive to do.”
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. The RHS have really grasped the reasoning behind the idea and have worked with the Designing Out Crime officers from Essex Police, and some of our member companies who have donated security products. There will be lots of information and ideas for people to take away with them to implement in their own gardens, be it shed, garage, cycle security or even lighting and boundary products”.
To see more photographs and video clips of the garden, follow @EssexPoliceUK and @securedbydesign on Twitter, where updates will be posted.
For Essex Police crime prevention advice, visit https://www.essex.police.uk/advice.
Contributions to the garden came from:
– Jacksons Fencing
– King & Co
– Trimetals
– Poulton Portables
– Meadow Croft Garden Centre
– Pragmasis
– The Expanded Metal Company
– Solon Security
– Redline Security
– DefendaStrip
– Ring
– Uwatch
– SelectaDNA and Smartwater, property marking.
