Crime affecting horticultural businesses

At Horticulture Week we have found ourselves covering an increasing number of incidents of crime at horticultural businesses. Some of these have been violent robberies and very frightening for people on the premises at the time. In this section you will find stories we have run in the past year on companies that have been affected.

In addition, we have launched a map charting the locations of the robberies, which we hope will help to raise awareness and focus the attention of the relevant authorities and industry bodies on a problem that appears to have grown as the recession has deepened. If you have direct knowledge of any crime affecting horticultural businesses email us at hortweek@googlemail.com.

Attacks on staff prompt HTA security workshop for garden centre staff

Attacks on staff and spiralling customer theft has prompted an HTA fight back by rerunning popular workshops on tightening up...

Horticulture Week Crime Map

Horticulture Week has created an interactive map plotting the locations of businesses that have been hit by thieves in the...

Police appeal for witnesses

Police are appealing for witnesses after lawnmowers were stolen from Wyevale Garden Centre in Thornbury, Gloucestershire, on 28 March.

Gardens warned to be on high alert against theft of prized bulbs and plants

The largest supplier of named bulbs in the UK has warned other gardens to increase vigilance against theft after having...

Garden centre boss targeted at home in violent robbery warns industry to be vigilant

Poplar Garden Centre managing director David Little has warned garden centre owners to be more vigilant after he was the...

Thieves use crane to steal £10,000 worth of Christmas trees

Thieves have used a crane to steal 240 Christmas trees worth up to £10,000 from Stewarts GardenLands in Christchurch, Dorset.

Robbers force staff to open safe at Buckingham Nurseries & Garden Centre, stealing £17,000

Three men have been charged with robbery after more than £17,000 was stolen from Buckingham Nurseries & Garden Centre last...

Garden writer Hugh Johnson closes Saling Hall after garden statue thefts

Garden and wine writer Hugh Johnson's home Saling Hall in Essex has twice been robbed of valuable garden ornaments, leading...

Retail nursery owners suffer brutal attack at hands of armed robbers

The owners of Hawgrip Nurseries in Enderby, Leicestershire, have been subjected to a brutal armed robbery.

Chainsaws, strimmers and leaf blower stolen from Wrights Mower Centre

Thieves broke into Wrights Mower Centre, in Royston, Hertfordshire, last week and made off with Stihl chainsaws, strimmers and a...

Over £17,000 of kit stolen from Echo Tools

More than £17,000 of gardening tools were stolen during a break in at Echo Tools in Thame.

Redbridge Garden Centre owner makes police complaint after guard dog is stolen

A garden centre owner who had his guard dog stolen has put in a complaint against the police, who, he...

Barton Grange Garden Centre hit by knife-wielding robbers

A Barton Grange Garden Centre worker was tied up and the manager held at knifepoint when armed robbers struck in...

BBC Gardeners' World Live exhibitors report display thefts and a lack of concern by NEC

Several nurseries reported overnight thefts of trolleys and display plants at BBC Gardeners' World Live at the Birmingham NEC.

Knifeman robs Stephen H Smith Garden Centre

A knife-carrying robber struck at Stephen H Smith Garden Centre in Bury, Lancashire, in a 9.15am raid on 22 June.

Ramraiders foiled in attack on Richmonds Groundcare in Surrey

Ramraiders caused tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage in a strike on Richmonds Groundcare.

Thieves target Italian specimen plants from Worcester-based Villaggio Verde

Villaggio Verde, a specialist sourcing agent for olive trees and Mediterranean plants based in Worcester, was a victim of thieves...

Thieves strike at arboricultural supplies company Honey Brothers

Arboricultural supplies company Honey Brothers is the latest to suffer at the hands of thieves.

Thieves steal kit worth more than £100,000 in raid at Hortech

Contractors have been warned that thefts are on the rise after Hortech's depot in Oswestry, Shropshire, was raided on 12...

Thieves steal kit from Trimax Mowing Systems using sledgehammers

Thieves who used sledgehammers to break into the yard of Trimax Mowing Systems over the bank holiday weekend made off...

Green Flag Award Winners 2010/11

See our selection of case studies drawn from winners of not only the Green Flag Award but also the Green Pennant Award which recognises high-quality green spaces managed by voluntary and community groups, a category of increasing relevance in these changing times for parks and open spaces.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2010

News, views and background on this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Garden Retail's top 100 garden centres

The full list of Garden Retail's top 100 garden centres based on turnover, plus news, analysis and expert advice on how retailers can maximise the success of their businesses.

CAMPAIGN: Save Our Science

The Save Our Science campaign calls on the Government to match-fund growers' HDC levy contributions as a first step towards securing a better future for horticultural research and the industry it serves.

Crime affecting horticultural businesses

News and resources relating to the rise in thefts from growers, garden centres and other horticultural firms

EU Pesticides Proposals

The European Parliament's committee for the environment, public health and food safety's proposals to replace the Plant Protection Products Directive 91/414 could have enormous consequences for everyone working in horticulture.

Surviving the Recession

The economic downturn is sending shockwaves throughout the horticulture industry. Keep track of the latest developments, with all our latest news, features and comment from industry insiders.

The Peat debate

Use of peat in gardening is under question and horticulturalists are under pressure to reduce use and sale of peat by 90% by 2010.

Effective business management

From surviving the downturn to maximising staff performance, Horticulture Week's business management specialist Leslie Kossoff has sound advice to help your company reach its potential

CABE Space Leaders Programme 2009

Views and analysis from this year's CABE Space Leaders Programme, an event designed to help green space managers meet new challenges.

Climate change

Horticulture Week tracks the debate, innovations, solutions and developments as the industry struggles to respond to the challenges of climate change.