Man broke into home while people were asleep

A rather disturbing crime occurred during the night in Baillie Drive, Bothwell, on December 7.

While the elderly residents were asleep in bed, the glass in their front door was smashed and keys were stolen from the inside door lock.

A man then entered the house and was challenged by the elderly occupant who had heard the noise.

Unfazed, the thief made off and drove off in the residents’ van which was parked outside.

The stolen van is a white Peugeot Expert, registration SG15 RSX.

If this van is seen on the move or abandoned in your street please call police on 101.

The vehicle may have other registration plates fitted to disguise its identity.

On the same night, another van was stolen from Boswell Drive, Blantyre.

The vehicle is described as a white Ford Transit flatbed, registration WT14 PKV with the company name ‘MURFORM’ on the front bonnet, side panels and rear tail lift.

PC O’donohue at Hamilton Police Office is the enquiry officer.

Most small goods sized vehicles are being stolen, not for the vehicle but their contents which normally contain expensive power tools.

The vehicles are then parked up in streets empty and don’t look out of place until a concerned resident calls police regarding an unusual vehicle outside their house.

Please call police if you think this is the case with a van in your street that doesn’t belong there or is owned by a neighbour.

If we can recover it early, then the opportunity is there for a quicker fingerprint examination.

Did anyone see an adult mountain bike being ridden in Burnbank Centre early on Thursday morning?

The bike is black and pale blue in colour and was stolen from the rear of Barry Douglas Bakers in Burnbank while its owner was within working.

Two males in their early twenties were seen nearby at the time and may have been involved.

They are described as wearing a dark top, black hat with a white stripe and green tracksuit bottoms, with the other male in dark clothing.

If you have any information to assist officers enquiring into these crimes then please call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.