However, we remind our customers that it can also play an important role in protecting the home from unwelcome intruders.

Mick Kelly, manager of the website neighbourhoodwatch.net was keen to point out the importance of this time of year saying “As the clocks go forward our message is take steps now to prevent British Summer Crime. Police figures show that over half of all break-ins occur from the back of the house. Now is the time to get out into the garden and make sure your fencing has stood up to the winter gales.”

So while you’re clipping your clematis and planting your petunias this March, take a look at Tesco Home Insurance’s top ten tips to make your garden a force to be reckoned with:-

1. Plant prickly plants and bushes such as roses under window sills, to prevent easy entry. For the casual gardener, holly is prickly but fairly low maintenance.
2. Add loose trellises to fences or walls around your back garden, these are too unstable to climb over and can provide excellent terrain for climbing plants such as fast growing vines and honeysuckle.
3. Use gravel for paths as the idea of creating noise will deter the opportunist thief.
4. Prune low tree branches (below 7ft) to avoid providing cover or potential access to the house. Also trim tree branches close to upper windows as they may provide access.
5. Position security lighting at vulnerable exits or somewhere that will cast obvious shadows.
6. Give garden gates 3 bolts - top, middle and bottom and padlock the middle one, to prevent burglars exploiting a weakness.
7. Position outdoor dustbins well clear of any potential entrances.
8. Ensure your shed is secure and expensive items are not visible from the window.
9. Never leave tools out as they can be used to break-in.
10. Secure your garage as those with interior doors can be an easy way in and provide cover for thieves.

Allan Burns, head of Tesco Home insurance commented: “Now is a good time to raise awareness of how to improve home security by using the environment outside your home. Many burglaries are carried out by opportunists, so by making it difficult, you can reduce your chances of them even trying.”

Neighbourhoodwatch.net added: “Getting to know your next-door neighbours can also pay dividends. Areas where Neighbourhood Watch groups are active tend to have much lower levels of crime – simply because neighbours are looking out for one another.”

‘Operation Bumblebee’ – the MET Police’s anti-burglary campaign suggest the following examples of plant families that may aid a secure garden:

Trellis/ Climbing Plants

Rosa – Rose, Smilax, Rubus – bramble family

Plants to go alongside your fence or wall

Osmanthus, Firethorn, Colletia, Chaenomeles – quince, Sea Buckthorn, Mahonia

Hedge plants

Prunus, Ulex – gorse, Common Hawthorn, Poncirus, Berberis – Barberry, Ilex – holly.