Met Police urges Brits to plant shrubs against burglars

The Metropolitan Police in the UK has issued leaflets recommending homeowners plant 17 varieties of shrubs, including climbing roses and hawthorn, as a way to deter burglars. The advice suggests that these plants, particularly when planted close together, could create a natural barrier against break-ins. Critics, including shadow home secretary Chris Philp, argue that the Met should focus on improving their low crime clearance rates, which have seen 82% of burglaries go unsolved, rather than offering gardening tips. Philp emphasized the need for more effective crime-fighting methods, such as facial recognition technology. Despite the backlash, the Met Police claims this initiative is part of a broader strategy to prevent crime and has reported a 10% decrease in residential burglaries over the past year. The leaflets also direct homeowners to additional security measures on the Met's website.