The HTA also sent a report to all PCCs in England and Wales, followed by meetings with several in person and online to share members’ experiences. As a result, garden center locations were added to police officers’ patrols and members were invited to local business and crime forums. Guidance was provided on reporting crimes and using apps such as Disc to submit evidence and communicate with the police and other businesses.

On October 10, as part of Events of HTA regional membersTates of Sussex hosted a ‘Tackling Retail Crime’ event which was attended by HTA members, Sussex PCC Katy Bourne and Business Crime Sussex as well as representatives from security systems companies. The focus was on strengthening security measures and improving collaboration between local garden centers and law enforcement.

Mark Gilbert, Commercial Director, Tates Garden Centers said:

“It was a great opportunity to talk to Sussex PCC and the head of Sussex Police Business Retail Crime about the devastating effects that theft is having on garden centres. We were able to explain the huge cost to our business of the crime itself and the cost of investing in more advanced security technology to help combat this problem.

“The conclusion of the meeting was that the police have come to understand the high levels of theft we are experiencing and that organized criminal gangs are involved in this activity across the region targeting garden centres.

“The ultimate message was to report all these crimes so that more police resources could be allocated to the sector and there was a promise from the police to involve the new nationwide crime unit which investigates organized crime 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 Group Head of Security Nathan Wilson and Group Security Manager Zoe Piggott discussed the importance of working together to tackle opportunistic theft, organized crime and other challenges affecting garden centres.

Matthew Barber, Thames Valley PCC, commented:

“As we step up our work to tackle shoplifting and violence against staff across the Thames Valley, I want to make sure the garden center sector is not left behind. Thames Valley Police has almost doubled the number of theft charges this year and I am launching the Disc system, free for retailers, to improve reporting.”

Nathan Wilson, Group Head of Security and Total Loss at Blue Diamond, added:

“It was a productive meeting to discuss the rise in crime in the garden center industry and how we as retailers are working alongside the police to tackle increased losses through opportunistic theft, career criminals and organized crime groups. What products are targeted and how Blue Diamond is looking at technology to support us in reducing crime and making our Centers a safer place to work and shop.”

These events and meetings are part of the wider HTA Retail crime assistancewhich provides members with essential tools, resources and guidance on reporting and preventing retail crime. A recent survey found that 71% of HTA garden centers consider theft to be a significant problem, while 40% saw abuse of staff as a minor problem.

David Lydiat, HTA Public Affairs & Policy Manager said:

“HTA listened to what members had to say about retail crime and their experiences. This is a topic of concern and we were keen to bring our members together with key decision makers in regional police forces. I am encouraged by the meetings and action taken so far and the HTA will continue to support our garden centers to reduce and mitigate theft.”

HTA sites submission of the autumn budget also calls for increased support for retail crime prevention, with a particular focus on rural policing resources to protect vulnerable garden center businesses.