Thieves target ticket office in daring High Street raid

Police are on the hunt for am an who broke into the Fringe ticket office on Friday night, sparking fears blank tickets could be used as counterfeit.

Nothing of value was stolen, but officers are investigating whether blank tickets had been removed from the High Street office in Edinburgh. The break-in happened about 10:50pm.

C ons tableKirstyBr own from Gayfield Police Station said: “If staff confirm blank tickets were stolen, then there is potential that those responsible will try to create counterfeit tickets and we want the public to ensure they only buy from reputable vendors.

“As part of this investigation we are keen to trace a man who was seen in the area at the time of the break-in.

“He is described as white, between 40 and 50 years old, with a medium build, bald

and wearing all dark clothing. Anyone who was in the High Street at the time and saw this individual, or who has any other information relevant to our investigation, should contact police immediately.”

A spokesman for Ed inburgh Festival Fringe Society said: “We have no reason to believe that ticket stock was stolen during this incident and while ticket touting is an issue for many major events, it is not an issue we have ever encountered at the Fringe.”

It’ s not the first time the Fringe has been hit by crime. In previous years undercover police patrols were sent to target gangs of organised thieves during the Festival.

Plain- clothed officers and uniformed colleagues were tasked with identifying thieves and pickpockets.

Last year armed police patrolled Edinburgh during the festival after security was stepped up in the wake of terror attacks in London and Manchester.

They were deployed across the city centre.