Any thief will know that back gardens are often the weakest part when it comes to household security. For this reason, the garden is often used as an entry source for burglars.
Making your fence harder to climb is one way to keep your garden more secure. But while it can be tempting to top your fence with barbed wire to make it a near-on impossible feat for a burglar to enter your property, there’s a couple of reasons to consider using less aggressive options instead.
In the UK, a homeowner has a duty of care to people on their property. This extends to people who are on the property without permission, including those who wish to steal from you! If someone is injured on your property as a result of something you have deliberately put there, you may be liable.
Barbed wire is also a serious eyesore. Not only will it have your garden looking and feeling like Wandsworth Prison, you’ll likely have neighbours complaining too!
Want to make your garden fence more secure? Take a look at these 5 things you can legally put onto your fence to stop potential thieves.
What Can Legally Put on Your Fence to Stop Burglars?
1. A Trellis
Installing a trellis on top of your fence will give your garden fence extra height and make it a lot harder to climb.
A garden fence which is too small will allow intruders to peer over and assess whether there’s anything worth stealing. They’ll be able to assess whether anyone is home before deciding whether to break in or not, and they’ll also have a good view of the back of your property. If they do decide to break-in, they’ll be able to easily hop over the fence.
It’s recommended that your garden fence is between 1.8 and 2 m tall. But a very tall fence can make your garden feel smaller, as well as preventing sunlight from coming through.
Topping your fence with a trellis will improve your garden security without ruining the look and feel of your outdoor space. You’ll have more privacy if your garden is overlooked, and the gaps in a trellis will still allow sunlight to poke through.
Train climbing plants to scale the trellis to add character to your extra security feature!
2. Anti-Climb Spikes
Anti-climbing spikes will protect your garden from human intruders as well as unwanted wildlife such as cats or foxes. They make your fence uncomfortable (but not dangerous) to climb and, so long as you put a sign up notifying potential intruders that they are there, you’re unlikely to have anyone even attempting to climb your fence.
Anti-climb spikes aren’t sharp spikes which can injure an intruder. They are usually made from plastic and are actually quite blunt. However, even blunt spikes placed close together will cause a lot of discomfort for anyone who climbs on them.
A key benefit of anti-climb spikes is that they’re very easy to install on top of walls and fencing. They are long lasting, weatherproof and virtually maintenance free. Once secured to your garden fence, they are an effective deterrent.
3. Spiky Plants
Protect the perimeter of your garden with a prickly shrub or hedge. This will make it difficult for an intruder to enter undetected (as we would all let out a yelp if we landed in a thorny bush!). Police forces around the UK actually recommend using defensive planting as a deterrent against criminals.
Holly, rose or pyracantha bushes are great options when it comes to defensive, spiky planting. Not only will these make it tough for an intruder to enter your garden, they have the added benefit of being an aesthetically pleasing security deterrent!
4. Anti-Climbing Paint
Anti-climbing or anti-intruder paint is a type of paint characterised by its thick, oily coating. It can be applied to your fence using a robust paintbrush.
This type of paint is very slippery, and remains slippery for a minimum of 3 years. Any intruder who decides to climb your fence will have a hard time getting a good grip, making it a lot harder for them to enter and exit your garden quickly and quietly.
This paint is usually very affordable and works as a long lasting deterrent. When combined with other fence toppers, it’s even more effective, and can make some types of fence almost impossible to climb.
You should still keep in mind that you have a duty of care to those on your property. If you decide to use anti-climb paint, ensure that warning signs are clearly visible. This way, if they still decide to climb your slippery fence and end up injured, you cannot be held responsible.
5. A Spinning Fence Topper
While traditionally used to prevent cats from being able to climb into gardens and wreaking havoc, spinning fence toppers are now often used as a deterrent against human fence climber.s.
Spinning toppers can be enough to protect perimeter walls and fences from unwanted climbers. While they don’t make a fence impossible to scale, they are unstable and make it hard for someone to get a good grip. If an intruder grabs this fence topper, it’ll simply spin.
If an opportunistic thief notices a spinning fence topper, they’re unlikely to attempt the climb. Not only does it make getting into a garden tricky, it’ll also make it harder for them to escape quickly if needed.
Fence Security FAQ
Is it illegal to put spikes on your fence?
Anti-climb spikes are perfectly legal so long as there is sufficient warning for anyone trying to climb the fence. Property owners have a duty of care to anyone who enters their property – including those who haven’t been invited!
To ensure the spikes won’t injure any fence climbers, you should put a sign up informing intruders that the spikes are there and may cause injury. You should do the same if you use anti-climb paint.
It’s important to note that you should use specific anti-climb spikes and not barbed wire, broken glass, nails or brackets. These are far more likely to cause injury, and if they fall down into either yours or your neighbour’s garden can be very dangerous.
What is the best fence to keep people out?
While a tall, solid fence in your garden is going to be the most secure, it can be a real eyesore. Small gardens will feel even more cramped, while plants will receive less light.
The trick isn’t to make your fence as tall as possible (around 1.8 – 2 m is perfect), but is instead to make your fence difficult to climb. Anti-climb paint, anti-climb spikes and a spinning fence topper can transform an easily climbable garden fence into an unappealing obstacle course!
Grow thorny plants and spiky shrubs to add another, more aesthetically pleasing layer of security.
You should also regularly inspect your fence for weather damage or holes. Keep your wooden fence in good condition, treating it to prevent rot if needed.
Does leaving a light on at night deter burglars?
The majority of break-ins happen during the day, which means leaving a light on at night may not stop your home from getting broken into. It’s more important to ensure your home and garden are secured both day and night.
However, making your home look occupied can certainly deter burglars, and lighting can help with this. A light that’s on constantly during a 24 hour period however, is a sign to a burglar that no one is in.
Not only this, a light on overnight can actually help a burglar get into your home! They’ll be able to spot weak points in your security, obstacles and possible entry points.
Motion-activated lighting is far more effective. This can be installed at the front of your home and in your back garden. Instead of being on constantly. It’ll only be triggered when someone gets too close to your property, which will scare off any potential intruders.
What puts burglars off?
Most burglars are opportunists. Potential intruders make a spur of the moment decision to break in based on a few signs. Fortunately, these break-ins are relatively easy to prevent, as opportunistic burglars are easily spooked.
The main thing that puts burglars off is a visible security system. The sight of a burglar alarm or CCTV can send any intruder running.
Burglars also look for unsecure windows and doors. An intruder will think it’s their lucky day if they come across an open window or unlocked front door. If you’re out in the garden on a hot day, don’t leave the windows at the front of your home wide open.
A secure garden gate and fence will also put burglars off. Ensure your fence is difficult to climb, and your valuable tools and machinery are hidden. Keep your side gate securely locked night and day, and increase the height of your fence if needed with a trellis.
How can I make my front garden more secure?
While it’s important to have a tall fence in your back garden, the boundary needs to be low in a front garden.
A low boundary will make thieves feel exposed as they make their way to your front door. Intruders are more likely to be spotted by either you or a neighbour, and there will be fewer spots for them to hide.
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