Garden Security

[dexterdoglancashire]

My neighbour came round this morning to let me know that last night he heard an intruder in his garden, opened his curtains, to see someone looking into his window! The guy ran off, but Mike went outside to see what was going on. Whoever it was, had opened his chicken coop and run, and the girls had got out. Mike managed to catch them all again, but only this morning when it was light.
We've got those people activated lights, and locks on the gate, as well as Dexter of course (who had actually climbed INSIDE our bed, headfirst and never barked, wimpered or anything at the time things were kicking off this morning!!)
Has anyone any tips on garden security that you think might be useful?

[Glutton4...]

I'll sell you a Gander!

[Bigmallly]

This may be of use.

Red Alert House and Garden Intruder Alert from Coopers of Stortford

[jacob marley]

Carpet gripper around the inside of the fence towards the top so when they reach over to climb in the garden they get spiked .
But some body will tell us all why we should not do it but it ain't their garden..jacob

[Bigmallly]

I think that (legally) you have to put up some kind of warning. But my carpet gripper along the the top of my gate & fence are to keep the pigeons off......I don't know of any pigeons that can read.......

[HeyWayne]

I think the poh-lees provide an "advisory service" or some such thing. They have a community safety officer or summat who will come round to your house and assess security and provide advice on what measures to take.

I've never had one meself.

[ammi]

I would get one of those window alarms that works by magnets and put that on the door of the hen house as the second the door is opened it will let out an alarm and all will know. The dogs always hear them and the hens will probably kick up such a fuss that you would all hear that the door had been tampered with.

[quark1]

I know there are laws about preventing malefactors from 'hurting' themselves as they try and enter your property to steal or damage your stuff - they should be so human?

But I don't believe such laws and warning notices apply to those sharp and prickly shrubs which have lethal thorns and razor-like leaves. Not an expert on the names - but I'm sure someone here or at the garden centre will be able to point you in the direction of 'natural' perimeter protection. Even a surround of brambles would make intruders think twice - but would be dificult to control.

Still begs the question - why should we have to go to such deterrent lenghts? Those that do wrong should be dealt with far more severely and that should be the expectation if caught and successfully prosecuted.

[HeyWayne]

But I don't believe such laws and warning notices apply to those sharp and prickly shrubs which have lethal thorns and razor-like leaves. Not an expert on the names - but I'm sure someone here or at the garden centre will be able to point you in the direction of 'natural' perimeter protection. Even a surround of brambles would make intruders think twice - but would be dificult to control.

I have trained bramble, hawthorn and ivy ready to strike all along the side of the house.

[SueA]

Pyracantha has nice big thorns too, we've got one of those at the bottom of the garden where we used to get people climbing over the fence occasionally.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Thanks everyone, you've given me lots to think about. I particularly like the alarm for the chook house and shall be sorting something out sharpish.

[Hilary B]

Rosa Rugosa have LOTS of thorns, and I believe they grow quite fast. Pretty too when in flower, and the hips make wine, or leave them for birdies to feast on all winter!
You can use the PLASTIC carpet gripper stuff (to deter cats and pigeons) in fact it is sold for the purpose in some of those weird-and-wonderful minicatalogues. It won't actually injure, but it WILL make climbing painful!

[dexterdoglancashire]

I wonder if it was someone messing about. Only just realised that two of my bird feeders have disappeared.

[green thing]

this will keep them out
http://www.farmcareuk.com/assets/pro...d378_image.jpg
Don't forget to tun it off

[Eco-Chic]

After my 5th (and last) burglary the Police crime prevention officer advised me to put barbed wire along the wall seperating my garden from the park.

I pointed out that it was illegal and he just winked. I couldn't do it though cos it is a cat and squirrel run, although the thought of strung out junkies entangled and bloody did appeal.