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.

Horticulture Week charts crime affecting horticultural businesses

Today, Horticulture Week launches a map plotting the locations of businesses that have been hit by thieves in the past...

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...

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