The organisers behind a community garden said they "give up" after a man was caught on CCTV appearing to steal plants.
Footage shared by UrbanScape Community Garden in Toxteth, which is managed by Mulgrave Street Action Group CIC, shows a man appearing to help himself to a range of flowers. The clip begins with the man coming to view of the camera holding a bunch of red flowers.
He then can be seen crouching down and placing the plants into a plastic bag. The opportunist then goes over to another section of the garden and rips out more plants with his hands before placing these into the plastic bag.
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In the footage, the brazen man can then be seen surveying the rest of the garden. He once again crouches down and pulls out more greenery. Around a minute in of the CCTV, the man picks up the plastic bag and walks off to the other end of the garden before placing it on the floor again.
A few moments later the man appears to rummage through the bag before looking behind his back. The video ends with the man picking up the bag.
Sharing the clip on Twitter and Facebook organisers said urged for people with any information to come forward. They said: "Does anyone know this man who has been back and forth yesterday evening and at midnight today seemingly, 'helping himself'. NB: he rides a vintage pink bike with brown basket WE. JUST. GIVE. UP at this point."
Khan Odita, who founded Mulgrave Street Action Group CIC, said since the launch of the UrbanSpace garden on April 6, it has been "plagued by thieves".
Speaking to the ECHO, he said: "Since the launch of the space, MSAG and UrbanScape have been plagued with thieves helping themselves to plants, shrubs and flowers from the garden. The first major incident was in May this year, when 18 of the large plants were stolen leaving the area barren and full of holes.
"A number of days later a wheelbarrow was stolen, which was lifted over the locked gates meant to deter thieves while the garden recovered. Small pockets of theft did occur afterwards and MSAG needed to do something about it.
"MSAG fought back and initiated a JustGiving page to finance the replacement plants and to install security cameras to deter any future incidents, which was well received and supported by B&Q. Two replanting days were organised on June 24 followed by a second attended by GoodGym Liverpool on June 26."
Khan said the most recent incidents appear to involve the same man who has helped himself to a number of plants. He said people who use the garden and live in the area have been shocked over the incidents.
He added: "On July 1 a man was seen in the garden acting suspicious and scoping out the grounds. On July 3 around 8pm, while the street was active, the same man entered the garden and proceeded to fill a plastic bag full of plants he ripped out with his hands.
"However, he was aware he was being watched by passers-by, so stored the bag behind the olive tree and left on a bright pink bike with brown basket to the front. Between 8pm and midnight on July 3, he made several journeys to the garden removing the plants he had stored, taking more and finally ripping out a number of large sunflower plants that were yet to bloom.
"The incident has shocked residents whom to them the space has become a haven."
On April 6 this year, community garden UrbanSpace was built after many years of campaigning by teenager Khan Odita. What was once a former wasteland plagued by flytipping and causing an eyesore for community members and visitors, it has since been transformed into a green space for people to enjoy.
Merseyside Police confirmed just before 1am on Tuesday, it was reported a man dug up several plants at the UrbanScape Community Garden on Mulgrave Street before taking them away. He then returned several times to take more plants.
Police said the suspect – who was on a bicycle - is described as being white with a tanned complexion, slim, around 5ft 11in tall, with a moustache and no teeth. He is further described as balding, with a goatee beard and sunken eyes. He was wearing a dark-coloured denim jacket, dirty dark blue denim jeans and red trainers.
Community Inspector Dave Uren said: “The Mulgrave Square Action Group, who created this green space, work hard to make positive changes for people living in the area by improving the environment for residents to enjoy.
“It beggars belief that someone would undo that work for their own selfishness and greed, removing the colour and vibrancy these plants brought to the street.
“We are exploring CCTV opportunities in the area as we work to bring the male responsible to justice. I would ask that anyone who recognises the description or who has seen plants turn up at an address unexpectedly on Tuesday morning to contact us.
"Any information about suspicious activity in the area would be welcomed, as well as any CCTV and we would love to hear from anyone who was passing at the time in a vehicle and may have caught any part of the incident on dashcam.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police via their social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ with reference 23000599586. You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.
