Can anyone advise on how to stop thieves stealing plants?

[Crotchety]

We would like to put some small trees/biggish shrubs in pots in the front of the house but hanging baskets have disappeared before. I suppose we could cement down the pots but how would you stop people just uprooting the plants? We have some bay trees that would look great but I imagine they'd also be a great temptation.

get something spikey and hard to handle that looks nice, do they just take your plants?

landmines?

shove some biting ants in the bottom of the pot, if they steal one you will know who becasue they will be broight red.
other than that i know that local business' round here put a chain around the base of the plant and chain it to something

You can't stop people just uprooting the plants, even if you put them straight into the flower beds. I agree with southeastastra - grow something prickly. Pyracantha's good.

Could use the same method as with rubbish bins. Bolt them to the floor through the drainage hole. Put a large washer on the inside.This also involves drilling a hole in the concrete/ tarmac/flags etc outside your house.
I think you can buy alarm systems but would people take any notice!

Get large carnivorous plants.

Looks like we'll have to bolt and chain some triffids to the paving then! Thanks everyone!

cultivate nettles round the bases?