Police probe thefts at farms

Police are investigating thefts from two farms in different parts of Perthshire over the last two weeks during which a number of tools, batteries, fuel cans and other items said to be“of great personal value” to their owners were taken from outbuildings.

Officers would like to speak to anyone with information about a white van that was spotted near a farm off the A822 near Muthill in the days leading up to the latest break-in.

Police Scotland released a statement this week saying the culprits took a Makita cordless angle grinder and charger plus a quantity of batteries and fuel cans during the raid in the early hours of Monday, March 1.

A spokesperson said:“A white tipper-type van, possibly a Transit or similar, was seen nearby around the time of the theft.

“A van of this type was also seen at three other locations in the general area in the days immediately before this theft. This van had two occupiers, both men.

“The first is described as in his late 30s to early 40s, 5ft 11, with short brown hair and a thin face, wearing dark overalls possibly spattered with paint. The second is only described as being in his mid to late teens.

“If you live in the Muthill/Crieff area, have seen this van or these men and have not already spoken to us, please call 101 and let us know.”

Yesterday Police Scotland released a second statement saying they were investigating a similar raid of an outbuilding at a farm near Killiecrankie in the early hours of Wednesday, February 24 during which a number of items including two bearing a very distinctive symbol were taken.

A spokesperson said:“An outbuilding was broken into and a number of items were stolen. Among them were a small (3”x 3” x7”) silver box and a heptagonal silver plate, both carrying the symbol in the picture, and personalised inscriptions. These items are of great personal value to the owner.

“If you have any information that could help us, particularly if you have seen or have any knowledge of the whereabouts of the stolen silver pieces, please call 101 or speak to any police officer.”

Incident numbers for the two crimes were given as 0585 of March 1 and 0461 of February 24.