Focus falls on van thefts after spate of incidents
Lanarkshire Division of Police Scotland has seen a sharp rise in recent weeks in thefts of vans.
As a result of this spike, a focussed approach investigating these crimes has been undertaken.
We are trying to gather as much information as possible as to how the thieves are able to overcome the security systems on the vehicles and who is responsible.
Almost every area in Lanarkshire has been affected and the vans have been stolen from a variety of different types of location such as padlocked yards, isolated areas and from outside dwelling properties.
On occasion, the keys for the vehicles have not been stolen and those responsible appear to be using some other method to gain access to the vehicles and to start them.
We are looking for as much information as possible relating to these crimes as it appears that there is a degree of planning going into them and not merely the work of opportunists.
Two vans were recently found in one of the areas that I cover near Netherburn and had been stolen from Coatbridge and East Kilbride respectively.
It is possible that there is a local connection to these crimes? Both vehicles were found having been burnt out.
If you have any information relating to these types of crimes please get in touch.
Local officers in Hamilton are also looking for the help of the public in relation to an incident where a female resident of Ann Court was the victim of theft by a callous female, who conned her way into the victim’s home on the pretence of feeling unwell.
This happened at 8.45pm on Thursday, July 26. Whilst the victim was in another room, the suspect grabbed a tin containing money and quickly left.
The suspect fell a short time later, dropping the tin and money and the victim was fortunately able to retrieve her property back, but this did not make it any less a traumatic incident for her.
The female responsible was described as in her 40s, white, thin build, wearing light grey jumper and light coloured jeans.
Her hair was described as tied up but with strands across her forehead. PC Shevill, based at Hamilton, is making enquiries into this incident.
Finally from me, a thank you to the public who got in touch after my last appeal for information, relative to the incidents regarding damage to public service buses.
As a result we are now following a positive line of enquiry relating to a window that was smashed whilst the bus was travelling on Ashgillhead Road, Ashgill and hope to have the person charged in the near future.
If you have any information relating to the above crimes call 101.