“Selfish” thieves have stolen dozens of plants from flowerbeds that had been planted by a community gardening group.

Members of the Honeybun Tenants’ and Residents’ Association have spent the last few weeks digging up, turning over and planting flowers in big planters on the junction of Lascelles Avenue and Bessborough Road, Harrow.

The planters had originally been maintained by the council, but after years of neglect the residents’ association asked if they could take them over.

Now, as the group prepares its entry for this month’s Harrow in Bloom competition, they discovered that dozens of plants have been stolen from flowerbeds all along Lascelles Avenue.

Chairman Terry Fisch said: “A lot of people came together to help plant all the flowerbeds, and it was so annoying to come back and see that sections had just been pulled out and stolen.

"The beds are for the benefit of all, locals and anyone who passes by, and now someone's taken them for themselves - it's so selfish.

"We've had lots of positive comments about flowerbeds over the past year or so, and it's been a focus for our community to come together and help each other.

"I think some folk think they are put there by the council and don't think there's anything wrong in stealing them, but some of them are paid for by the residents & tenants themselves for everyone to enjoy."

More than a dozen rose bushes and several dozen begonias have been stolen from the community-owned beds that line junctions, corners and green spaces along the road.

The group now have until the end of the month to fill in the holes, as preliminary judging for the competition will take place on July 29.

Mr Fisch said: “The effort we have put into building these beds and maintaining them is phenomenal, and now we will have to do it all over again.

“We’re still entering, but now we need some help to find funds to buy more plants or have some donated.”

Councillor Glen Hearnden said: “It is horrifying to hear how people can destroy the great work that has gone into this beautiful garden.

"I can’t stand to see residents’ hard work and pride in their community ruined this way. We are currently exploring what we can do to help.

"Whether this involves donating flowers and some time, we want to see this garden brought back to life so that residents can once again enjoy their garden.” 

Anyone interested in providing funding or helping with the gardening can contact the association at honeybuntra.weebly.com.