Get 'Sheducated' Police Tell Gardeners

Worcester Police have invented a new word in the fight against crime: 'Sheducated.'

It is part of a powerful message aimed at gardeners, who are being told: 'Your garden should be your first line of defence against burglars'.

A leaflet highlights no less than 28 methods which both green-fingered gardeners and beginners can use in the fight against crime as well as further enhance the plot they tend with pride.

Worcester City Police have teamed up with Worcester Garden Centre to promote the 'security self-help' ideas.

Community Support Officers handed out copies of the leaflet to customers’ at the Droitwich Road centre on Saturday 3rd June and - with expert centre staff - talking to them about such pro-active devices as 'defensive' planting and plants.

Bob Tannahill, garden centre manager, said: 'One of the best ways to keep thieves out of your back garden is to use nature’s own defence mechanisms. There is a whole range of plants that can be used strategically to help deter would-be criminals getting close to windows. A barrier of prickly hedge may be all you need around your property'.

He particularly cited Berberis (also known as Barberry), Pyracantha (Firethorn), Holly (Ilex), Mahonia Japonica, plus climbing and rambling roses and Rosa Pteracantha

Other 'defensive' plants include Blackthorn (Prunus Spinosa), Buckthorn (Rhamnus), Gorse (Ulex Europaeus), Hawthorn (Crataegus Monogyna), Hedging Rose (Rosa Rugosa), ornamental brambles (Rubus), Quince (Chaenomeles) and Sea Buckthorn (Hippaphae Rhamnoides).

The leaflet targets four specific subjects that police say gardeners should always keep front-of-mind:

• The garden and its perimeter
• Sheds and out-buildings
• Your property
• Natural Protection

Chief Inspector Keith Williamson, head of local policing in the city, said: “The ‘Get Sheducated’ initiative highlights pro-active opportunities for the green-fingered to tackle the light-fingered from a position of strength.”