Decorative aggregates supplier Deco-Pak believes crime has influenced an unexpected trend for 'crunchy gravel'.
Popular with homeowners, thanks to its variety of colour choices, natural aesthetics and ease of maintenance, gravel is now helping to keep our homes safe from thieves, says the company.

Police constabularies in the UK regularly consult with homeowners to advise them to install gravel paths and driveways, especially around the house and by the garden shed because burglars look for low risk, easy targets - and the crunchy sound of gravel underfoot presents too high a risk of getting caught.

Deco-Pak general manager Rod Slater said: "All of our decorative aggregates provide consumers with the crunchy effect, especially bestsellers Moonstone and Golden Flint which are two I would recommend as being most effective.

Retailers can also advise their customers of our home delivery service to encourage upselling quantities with the benefit of a richer crunching sound and therefore greater security."