Can anyone advise on how to stop thieves stealing plants?

[Crotchety]

We would like to put some small trees/biggish shrubs in pots in the front of the house but hanging baskets have disappeared before. I suppose we could cement down the pots but how would you stop people just uprooting the plants? We have some bay trees that would look great but I imagine they'd also be a great temptation.

[southeastastralplain]

get something spikey and hard to handle that looks nice, do they just take your plants?

[PretendFriend]

landmines?

[BATtymumma]

shove some biting ants in the bottom of the pot, if they steal one you will know who becasue they will be broight red.
other than that i know that local business' round here put a chain around the base of the plant and chain it to something

[HallgerdaLongcloak]

You can't stop people just uprooting the plants, even if you put them straight into the flower beds. I agree with southeastastra - grow something prickly. Pyracantha's good.

[chestnutty]

Could use the same method as with rubbish bins. Bolt them to the floor through the drainage hole. Put a large washer on the inside.This also involves drilling a hole in the concrete/ tarmac/flags etc outside your house.
I think you can buy alarm systems but would people take any notice!

[TooTickyTheAppleMuncher]

Get large carnivorous plants.

[Crotchety]

Looks like we'll have to bolt and chain some triffids to the paving then! Thanks everyone!

[foulmoonfiend]

cultivate nettles round the bases?