As we continue through the global financial crisis, government figures and insurance company surveys are again and again reminding us that burglaries and thefts are on the rise as a result.
A particular spike in home insurance claims in North Wales has been reported by the region's Daily Post, calling for homeowners to be 'vigilant', as opportunist thefts continue to rise.
But this notion of opportunism amongst thieves is also reflected in a report by The Guardian, which offers an intriguing twist on insuring your home.
So are we slacking off when it comes to garden property? And should we consider specialist insurance? In Huma Qureshi's article, 'Protected your home against theft? Don't forget your shed', she states: 'Garden theft increased by 63% over the summer months last year from the previous year and is expected to rise again in 2009.
' A fact that is all the more disturbing when we realise, as discovered by Marks and Spencer, that the average UK garden includes £700 worth of greenery, whilst our garden sheds contain £900 worth of equipment.
Gardening watchdog, Which?, claims that the items that have been going missing most frequently range from such likely things as bicycles, lawnmowers and tools, but can in fact include such odd pieces such as plant pots, heavy statues, and even trees.
Consequently, there are a number of issues that need to be addressed.
Not only are such thefts a result of an increasing desperation amongst thieves to make quick cash, but over the last ten years there also seems to have been an increasing complacency amongst homeowners who do not realize the material (and sometimes, sentimental) worth of garden items until they are taken - at least by comparison to items they would store in the home.
There are simple methods to increase security of items, such as ensuring you store away equipment when it is not in use and being sure that your home insurance covers certain items even when they are left outside.
Each insurance company will have different policies with varied degrees of cover, so it pays to check and research, yet the average for items in outbuildings is up to £2000, so it certainly makes sense to consider specialist insurance should you own any expensive equipment (such as lawnmowers etc) and/or anything of particular sentimental value.