Pumpkin .............. (1) are hiring people to guard their crops ..............(2) the fruit is so valuable to ............ (3) .
A wet summer has meant that crops are in shorter supply and in the south east
numbers are down by 25%.
Their value has rocketed and thieves can make around £150 from 25 ..............(4) , but the farmers are fighting back.
Some farmers have used dogs and geese to keep pumpkin pinchers at bay, while others have been locking their pumpkins .............(5) in barns.
Stolen in the night
A fruit and veg ............(6) in Chichester has employed six people to deter pumpkin thieves.
Managing director Graham Young told Newsround: "We first noticed the pumpkin thefts a few weeks ago when 10 to 20 were stolen overnight.
"But the thefts have become more frequent which has prompted us to make sure we keep guards".
Despite the shortage, .................. (7) are confident there will be enough in stock to make traditional lanterns for Hallowe'en.