If the outside of your house and garden are secure, this will help reduce the risk of a burglar attempting to enter your property.

Side passages

Side passages provide easy access to the back of the house, which is often the most vulnerable. Fit a high, strong and lockable gate. If there are existing gates, check that they are not sagging or weak and are well secured with a strong padlock.

Fences and hedges

These should also be checked for weak spots and reinforced where needed. Planting thorny, prickly shrubs and hedges such as berberis, roses and holly can act as a deterrent. However, make sure hedges, trees and bushes don't hide the front of the house or side passages, where a burglar can make a forced entry unnoticed.

Garages and sheds

These are often the first port of call for a burglar as they contain tools or ladders that help them to break into your home. Fit strong padlocks to sheds and garage doors and make sure the doors can withstand force such as kicking. Make sure that windows are also secure, especially on sheds where valuable garden tools and equipment are often kept. Secure cycles stored in a shed. Also consider installing shed alarm.

External lighting

This can not only help at the front but also the back of the house and garden. Burglars feel that they are least likely to be noticed entering a house from the back, especially in darkness, so fit good quality dusk to dawn lights in vulnerable areas.

Gravel

When used on driveways, paths and patios can also help you or you neighbours hear any uninvited intruders approaching your house.

Home Contents and Buildings Insurance

A determined house burglar can enter almost any property given the right opportunity. Therefore ensure that you have the right insurance cover. There are two types of home insurance - buildings cover insures you against damage to the actual structure of the house or outbuildings as well as the permanent fittings inside, whilst home contents policies takes care of your belongings within the home. There is also a combined policy which extends cover to included equipment and property used outside the home.