According to a recent study by a leading insurance provider, the scent of summer in the area is a siren call to burglars to get to work.

The research found that the number of garden burglaries jumps by 25% when the British the clocks go forward.

Shockingly, burglars can amass a small fortune from their green-fingered haul, bringing in an average of 850 from each garden they pillage.

The research also unearthed the fact that these garden thieves are far from picky and will grab anything from a lawnmower to children's toys and basic gardening tools.

2011 figures saw the highest number of thefts for power tools (like electric drills, planers and saws) at 42%. Thefts of hand tools like spades, shovels, rakes and forks came in a close second at 39%, while 19% of burglars chose to steal electric/petrol lawnmowers, chainsaws and ladders.

The number of outdoor thefts starts climbing up in March, when the figure is 10% higher than in the colder and dark month of January. By the time summer is in full swing in July and August, garden crimes have risen by a whopping 40% compared to the beginning of the year.

Commenting on the spate of seasonal burglaries, Peter Ketteringham, household underwriting manager at Aviva, said:

"Extra hours of sunlight are obviously very welcome after months of darkness, but it also means that your expensive power tools, bikes and golf clubs are more visible than ever to a passing thief, as is your home security- or lack of it!

"So try not to advertise what you've got, make sure sheds and summerhouses are properly secured and clear up your garden every evening so there's nothing lying around that could tempt a criminal on to your property.

"And bear in mind that loose items like ladders and wheelie bins are perfect for burglars to use to get into your home, so shut them away, out of sight if you can."