AS summer draws to a close thieves are still trying to get their light-fingered hands on garden equipment left out by locals.

Bobbies say that the latest figures from the British Crime Survey show that there are more than a million thefts from outside the home each year in the UK.

And they are urging garden lovers to keep their tools and furniture safely locked away to nip the problem in the bud.

Community safety officer for south Trafford, PC Tony Crompton said: "To thieves, the well-stocked garden provides easy pickings with many people not thinking that they need security in the garden.

"The sad fact is that more than ever, people are becoming victims of garden theft and that is why I am offering a few tips of the various products on sale to keep your belongings safe."

PC Crompton said that marking any items is the main priority because if they are recovered they cannot be returned unless the owner can identify them.

He added: "Being able to identify your goods is the key to getting them back if they're stolen and one of the best items for marking them is the Trovan ID tag backed by The Queen.

"Embedded in the benches around Buckingham Palace, these invisible electronic tags are drilled into the items they protect and police can use special tag readers to detect them in stolen goods.

"Microdots can offer the same protection and other tagging systems are on the market.

"Sensors can also act as a deterrent when fitted so as to sound an alarm or shine a light when intruders get into the garden."

Although there are expensive security items on the market, PC Crompton says that there are some good value and cost effective ones too and anything that can avoid the heartache of becoming the next victim is worth considering.

He went on: "There are a lot of things on the market and you can do as little or as much to protect your property.

"For more details, you can call for a free booklet on 856-7546 or 856-7746."