Plant theft explained: what it is, why it’s rising and why it matters

Plants are being stolen from public and private gardens across the UK and resold for profit. Recent incidents in Nottingham have drawn attention to the issue, but similar thefts are happening in towns and cities nationwide.

These are not isolated acts of vandalism. In many cases, plants are deliberately targeted, removed quickly, and sold on through informal or untraceable markets.

Plant theft is part of a wider category of environmental offending often described as “green crime”. These crimes are seen as low-risk because they are perceived to be “victimless”, which can contribute to limited enforcement and low penalties.

What is plant theft?

Plant theft involves the removal of plants, shrubs or trees directly from soil, planters or pots, without permission, usually for resale. It often affects newly planted items that are easy to transport and in demand.

In cities such as Nottingham, thefts have been reported in public parks and community gardens. Incidents often occur overnight and can involve large numbers of plants being taken at once.

Why is plant theft increasing?

Several factors are contributing to the rise in plant theft:

• Gardening has grown in popularity, increasing demand for plants, particularly in Spring which is a peak gardening season
• Stolen plants can be resold for profit with little traceability
• Limited enforcement and relatively low penalties contribute to low risk
• These crimes are seen as “victimless”, reducing the perception of harm

Plant theft sits within the broader context of environmental crime, which includes the illegal trade in plants and wildlife. Globally, this is a growing area of criminal activity due to the same drivers associated with demand, profitability, low risk and harm perception.

Why does it matter?

The impact of plant theft goes beyond the immediate financial cost of stolen plants.

Loss of public value

Public green spaces are often maintained by volunteers and community groups. When plants are stolen, the time and effort invested in these spaces is lost.

Wellbeing benefits

Well-maintained green spaces support physical and mental health, but fear of crime has the opposite effect - it deters people from accessing green spaces creating a vicious cycle.

Urban regeneration

Green spaces play a strategic role in improving urban environments. Damage to these spaces can undermine longer-term regeneration efforts.

Escalation of social disorder

Seemingly “petty” plant theft could lead to further crime and social disorder if public spaces are perceived to suffer from neglect – as suggested by the “broken windows” theory.

What does NTU research show?

Research at Nottingham Trent University highlights the role of urban green spaces in improving quality of life, biodiversity and combatting climate change. We also know that many green spaces depend on the efforts by volunteers. Due to these widely accepted benefits, many cities in the UK and internationally are trying new nature-based approaches to urban regeneration.

When plant theft damages urban green spaces, it can reduce the benefits and weaken the social, economic and environmental value they provide.

What can you do?

• Buy plants from reputable garden centres or nurseries where their origin is clear
• Support local groups and volunteers who maintain public green spaces
• Consider volunteering in community gardening projects
• In private gardens, take steps to reduce risk, such as improving visibility, and consider insuring high value items

Read more about plant theft by Dr Jenni Cauvain on The Conversation.

Dr Jenni Cauvain is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology, and Co-Director of the Cities and Community Research Group at Nottingham Trent University.