The Horticultural Trades Association continues to drive its campaign against retail crime within the garden centre sector, engaging with both the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for West Sussex, Katy Bourne and the Thames Valley PCC Matthew Barber.

Retail crime has both a financial and social impact on garden centres, which collectively suffer millions in losses each year. In 2022, it was estimated that theft accounted for a £16 million loss in turnover for HTA member garden centres. 

The HTA has also sent a report to all PCCs in England and Wales, followed by meetings with several in person and online to share member experiences. As a result, garden centre locations have been added to police officer patrols, and members have been invited to local business and crime forums. Guidance has been provided for reporting crimes and using apps such as Disc to submit evidence and communicate with police and other businesses. 

On 10 October, as part of the HTA regional member events, Tates of Sussex played host to a ‘Tackling Retail Crime’ event, attended by HTA members, West Sussex PCC Katy Bourne and Business Crime Sussex, as well as representatives from security systems companies. The focus was strengthening security measures and improving collaboration between local garden centres and law enforcement.  

Mark Gilbert, Commercial Director, Tates Garden Centres, said: “This was an excellent opportunity to discuss with the West Sussex PCC and the head of Sussex Police Business Retail Crime the devasting effects that shoplifting is causing garden centres. We were able to explain the huge cost to our business through the crime itself and the investment cost of more advanced security technology to help combat this matter. 

“The takeaway from the meeting was that the police have come to understand the high levels of shoplifting we are suffering and that organised crime gangs are involved in that work across the region targeting garden centres. 

“The final message was to report all these crimes so more police resources can be allocated to this sector, and there was a promise from the police to involve their new nationwide crime unit that investigates organised criminal gangs.” 

The HTA also convened a meeting with Thames Valley PCC Matthew Barber at Blue Diamond’s Bicester Garden Centre, where they discussed crime prevention strategies for the sector. Blue Diamond’s Head of Group Security, Nathan Wilson, and Group Security Manager, Zoe Piggott, discussed the importance of collaboration in tackling opportunistic theft, organised crime, and other challenges affecting garden centres. 

Matthew Barber, Thames Valley PCC, commented: “As we step up the activity to fight shopping and violence towards staff across Thames Valley, I want to ensure the garden centre sector is not left behind. Thames Valley Police have almost doubled the number of charges for shoplifting this year, and I’m rolling out the Disc system, free to retailers, to improve reporting.” 

Nathan Wilson, Head of Group Security and Total Loss at Blue Diamond, added: “It was a productive meeting to discuss the increase in crime throughout the garden centre industry and how we, as retailers, work alongside the police to tackle the increased losses through opportunist theft, career criminals and organised crime groups.  What products are being targeted, and how Blue Diamond is looking at technology to support us in reducing crime and making our Centres a safer place to work and shop.” 

These events and meetings are part of the HTA’s broader Retail Crime Support, which provides members with essential tools, resources, and guidance on reporting and preventing retail crime. A recent survey revealed that 71% of HTA garden centres consider theft a significant issue, while 40% noted that abuse towards staff is a minor concern. 

David Lydiat, HTA Public Affairs & Policy Manager said: “The HTA has been listening to what members have been saying on retail crime and their experiences. This is a concerning subject, and we were keen to bring our members together with the key decision-makers in regional police forces. I am encouraged by the meetings and actions taken so far, and the HTA will continue to support our garden centres to reduce and mitigate theft.” 

The HTA’s autumn budget submission also calls for enhanced support for retail crime prevention, with a particular focus on rural policing resources to protect vulnerable garden centre businesses.