THE owner of a Walburton nursery, broken into five times, rang police and was told to follow the thieves.

Police control staff advised Simon Wootton to get in his car in future and, with his mobile phone, follow the thieves at a discreet distance.

Mr Wootton said: "I'm pretty angry about it. We've got plans to increase security but it sounds like it's up to us to catch them."

In recent weeks, Mr Wootton, who has run the Poplar Nursery for 20 years, has lost stock worth about £10,000.

In the latest raid on his premises near Arundel, the thieves also took two chainsaws and smashed their way into neighbouring sheds.

Mr Wootton said: "They would have needed a big van to come and get the flowers.

"The police have advised us not to tackle them and dial 999. They told us to get in the car with our mobile phone and follow them."

The nursery was first raided several years ago, when thieves stole flowers being prepared for the carpet of flowers at Arundel Cathedral.

Mr Wootton said: "They stole some just before Christmas.

"This time we arrived back from holiday to find the cheque for the last insurance claim - and signs of another break in.

"Normally the flowers are stolen around Valentine's Day, Mothers' Day or Christmas. The more padlocks you put on, the more they smash them.

"We'll probably have to sleep in the shed as Mothers' Day approaches. The flowers are obviously going to a market or car boot sale."

Inspector Jeff Lister, head of Arundel's neighbourhood policing team, said: "The officers visited and took details of the incident, which we are investigating.

"We have also offered crime prevention advice.

"The advice we would give to anyone who saw a suspicious vehicle would be not to follow but to be vigilant enough to take down descriptions and index numbers and contact the police.

"We are bound to catch them sooner or later."

Fay Millar fay.millar @theargus.co.uk