Building Society Warns On Bank Holiday Garden Thefts

One third of all home insurance claims are made during the summer months, new figures from Cheshire Building Society show.

Increased numbers of garden thefts, with burglars taking advantage of householders leaving valuable items outside in the hot weather, was blamed by the firm for the trend. The spring Bank Holiday this weekend was also identified as a potential home insurance claims hotspot, due to many people planning to take a mini-break or visit family and friends elsewhere during this time.

Accordingly, Cheshire advises people planning a weekend trip that they should lock away all valuable items, adequately secure all garages and other outbuildings and ask a neighbour to keep an eye on their property, if they are to avoid a theft and a home insurance claim.

Karen Torson at Cheshire said: "During the summer months there tends to be an increase in the number of garden thefts as people get their gardens into shape. Thieves will seize anything they can sell on including patio furniture, ornaments, electrical equipment such as lawnmowers and pressure washers and expensive plants and shrubs."

Figures released by esure earlier this week show that around 15 million Britons will hit the road to make journeys this Bank Holiday weekend.