Shock as thieves strip Nottingham Arboretum garden again just days after replanting - in photos

The beloved formal garden at Nottingham’s Arboretum has once again fallen victim to theft, leaving community members and volunteers heartbroken.

Despite recent efforts by Nottingham Green Guardian volunteers and Nottingham City Council staff to restore the flower beds, thieves returned this week and stole a fresh batch of plants.

Volunteers had only replanted the beds last week after previous thefts, hoping to restore beauty to the public space. But the sight that greeted them this morning was all too familiar: bare soil where vibrant flowers once bloomed.

“This is more than just stealing plants,” said a volunteer on site. “It’s stealing from the entire community.”

The Arboretum is one of Nottingham’s most cherished public green spaces, open to all and maintained by a dedicated network of staff and volunteers. Incidents like these undermine their work and the values of shared stewardship and respect that hold the community together.

The City Council has:

• Reported all thefts to Nottinghamshire Police
• Increased community protection efforts in the area

Officials are urging anyone who sees suspicious activity to alert staff or contact the police via 101.

Photos released this morning show a stark before-and-after: lush beds filled by volunteers last week, now stripped bare again.

Despite the setback, the community remains committed to protecting the Arboretum.

“This space belongs to everyone,” reads the council’s statement. “Thank you for standing with us to preserve it.”