Why is Gardien, the UK’s No.1 garden security company, warning cyclists across the country to take extra care of their bikes during the coming months?
The answer, says Bill Seddon, MD of Gardien is that:-
"The growth in garden crime over the past couple of years is not due to Tommy T-Leaf being a gardener, but solely due to the fact that he is a THIEF! who will take any easy pickings that are left outdoors – and bikes have become the prime target!"
The Home Office estimates that approximately half a million bikes are stolen every year and that over half of these are taken from our homes, sheds and gardens. Despite the occasional mutterings of “economic green shoots” in the commercial and financial sectors, unemployment is still rising and credit is in short supply; in these circumstances, it is hardly surprising that the criminal fraternity will look for every opportunity to steal whatever we care to leave outdoors in our gardens and sheds. In short, whatever is left outdoors is likely to quickly disappear. During the summer months we have reported a miscellany of thefts ranging from expensive plants to paving stones, from garden furniture to garden statuary - and even the theft of pets, such as puppies, birds and tortoises – basically anything that can be quickly turned into cash!
There are several reasons why the bike is now such a popular target for the garden thief. First, the recent successes of the individual riders and national cycling teams at the Olympics, Tour de France, World Championships etc have raised the profile of the sport immeasurably. Accordingly, this has increased the efficiency and quality of cycles across the board – together with the costs, which have quickly risen into hundreds, sometimes thousands of pounds. What more incentive does Tommy T-Leaf need?
It is therefore essential that bike owners across the country pay particular attention to the security of their machines. The basics of securing your outdoor possessions are the same, whether you are protecting your bike, garden tools, garden machinery or garden antiques.
For further information please contact Bill Seddon on 0161 928 0854 or e mail bill@garden-security.co.uk
