I have to agree with you Lesley. New Zealand might be better but in this area we have a large number of 'professional' theives who are not noted for their morals and will steal whatever happens to be valuable and easy to get at.
A few years ago it was stone thefts (we had three) but that seems to have subsided with the fashion for decking. Tools, statuary, bicycles etc are all targeted. We have to keep our shed, garage and house doors locked at all times (the previous occupants were burgled while having dinner and a neighbour's handbag was snatched from her kitchen, so the idea of having easily movable plants worth hundreds of pounds lying about in the garden is a non-starter (not that I could afford them anyway!).