Employees left “devastated” after thieves steal more than 300 Christmas trees

Employees of a popular pop-up Christmas tree shop were “heartbroken and devastated” when they arrived on opening day to find more than 300 evergreens brazenly stolen from their site by some not-so-wise men.

Pines and Needles business development manager Priyanka Patel said the greedy thieves took “tens of thousands” of pounds in stock, costing the company an entire trading day in a selling season already delayed by Covid-19.

One tinsel lining to the terrible situation came when the company checked their security video to find both the culprits and their vehicle brilliantly lit, thanks in part to a festive tree-shaped light hanging above their fenced Wimbledon Park lot.

The not-so-bright masked intruders even parked so close to the seasonal lighting that its distinctly green glow was reflected on the roof of the vehicle they used to cart away the pilfered merchandise.

Ms Patel and her team, however, remained deeply hurt by the incident.

“We were absolutely heartbroken and devastated because of what we were looking at. It’s painful even to watch it now. We are extremely, extremely proud of our stores and our homegrown trees. Our director, Josh Lyle, they’re like his babies.

“I have nothing to say (to the thieves) because I feel this is absolutely not what Christmas is about. Christmas is about spreading cheer and it’s about giving.

“It’s just not about stealing trees – or stealing anything for that matter. It’s about spreading happiness.”

Ms Patel said her spirits had ultimately been lifted by the outpouring of support the company had received, especially from those in the community in Wimbledon.

She said: “I want to thank all my customers for all their support and love they’ve given us in these difficult times – especially with Covid, the uncertainty and then the theft which was a big blow.

“But in the end, we are the winners because we bounced back with a smile and it’s just amazing the kind of support that we had.”

She’s also been able to find light – quite literally – in the crisp security clip.

“They did not realise that they would be so famous,” she joked.

No arrests have been made.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD6599/27Nov. Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Pictured: CCTV catches the theft taking place