Council under fire for advising homeowners to deter burglars by ‘planting prickly hedges'

Colchester Council has launched a campaign to help residents avoid burglary – by planting prickly hedges.

Supported by Essex Police, the initiative encourages people to invest in particularly thief-threatening plants like Creeping Junipers, Shrub Roses and Blue Spruce – and is even in partnership with a local garden centre.

Dubbed ‘Defensive planting’, the scheme aims to use the off-putting hedges to lower crime rates by deterring burglars.

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Pam Donnelly, chairman of the Safer Colchester Partnership, said that there is more than one benefit to a defensive shrub.

“Living barriers can be one of the best and most attractive ways of securing your home and property against crime,” she said.

“Although it can take some time for plants to grow, the end result really does justify the effort and should deter even the most determined burglar.”

Colchester’s crime prevention tactical advisor Angie Pearson, added, “A barrier of prickly hedge or a climbing rose growing through a trellis fixed to the top of your fence may be all the protection you need around your property.”

Not all residents are exactly thrilled with the advice, though.

Majorie Hammond, 62, who lives in Tendering, Essex, told the Times, “‘It’s a bit of a cop out trying to get me to grow a rose bush outside my house in the hope it stops me being burgled.

“If someone wants to get into my house, that’s not going to stop them.

“These people are criminals, they’re not scared of breaking things. If they’ll smash my windows to get in, surely they’ll rip down my plants as well.”

Lead image: Getty/Youngs Insurance