More than 180 plants were stolen from a well -loving public park Nottingham In May 2025 is called Arboratum. This incident took place a few days later when the volunteers repeated flowers and bushes to repair the loss from the previous. Theft in March. In April 2025, the nearby Forest Recreation Ground Community Garden was also targeted – roses and crops grown by volunteers were stolen, and even a pond went missing.
Plant theft may look trivial, but environment and wildlife Crime Is ignored. This is the exact reason why it is growing. Research suggests annual growth rate in environmental offense of 5 to 7 percent, making it the third largest criminal area in the world.
Globally, the value of environmental crime is US $ 70–213 billion (£ 52–158 billion) annually. With most crime, it is difficult to estimate its actual scale as it is hidden. This is even more true for environmental crime that becomes undetermined.
The theft plant in Nottingham, where I am based, are smaller than, but they tell the same story of attractive illegal opportunities for criminals where law enforcement and potential restrictions are less. It is most likely that people steal local plants to sell for profit.
Another reason to ignore this growing trend Wildlife crime It is that criminals, as well as most of the society, may feel that it is a “aggrieved crime”. Where plants, animals, hyacinth or soil are “afflicted”, people do not feel strongly because our morality and value system usually prefer fellow humans and do not recognize non-human beings as victims.
People may be more likely to care for mammals such as targeted elephants in illegal Ivory tradeBut environmental crime allows every community UKAs recent notingham cases indicate.
Stolen profit
As a researcher in environmental sociology, I believe that wildlife crime and environmental damage should be achieved in case of public attention, law enforcement and potential sanctions. Not only the internal value is non-human nature in itself, but due to the value, nature brings us to humans.
Parks and green places known as “Green Infrastructure” are central for our good in cities. They bring in terms of environment and social benefits AeroityUrban heat island effect, surface flood, carbon storage, biodiversity and health.
After Kovid epidemic, the importance of reaching quality green places for our mental and physical good became even more clear. Park trips can reduce loneliness and anxiety, as well as promote familiarity and community spirit.
It also has the ability to benefit public purses. Nottingham is currently involved in a national green social prescription test and learns the program to display the benefits of nature-based activity.
Public parks are often important in terms of cultural heritage. This is not a new discovery. Historically, public parks were introduced in cities to make cities living in cities, quality of life and educational resources. Arboratum – City Center Park recently targeted by thieves – was the first such public park to open in Nottingham in 1845.
When valuable green places are victims of crime, it is not the only beauty problem. Comprehensive social and environmental loss is provoked on communities and nature that depend on open green locations.
It matters in cities such as Nottingham which suffer from high levels of lack and poor health results. My own research has shown that Nottingham is often observed for leadership in green initiatives, it is suffering from deeply sitting social inequality and absence that are facing long -term challenges.
Social inequality is associated with crime and disorder in urban areas, which creates a vicious cycle when crimes target community assets such as public parks. It is beyond suspicion that public parks are being vandalized, will negatively affect the quality of life in Nottingham.
It is likely that these offenses are rejected as a minor disturbance because “only plants” were stolen, but this attitude serves to mask the widespread trend of growing environmental crime and brings the damage caused to communities. Unfortunately, it will contribute to the possibility of such crimes in the future.
Jenny Cauvain Nottingham is a senior lecturer in Sociology at Trent University.
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