Man charged following car crash at traffic lights
A man has been charged after a car crashed into traffic lights in the centre of Crieff and the scaffolding attached to the town’s former Drummond Arms Hotel.
Police officers were called to the scene in James Square just after 1am on Thursday last week.
Part of the A85 trunk road was closed due to safety concerns following the collision and a police presence was maintained in the area for much of the rest of the day.
Some shop owners decided to close for the day, while bus services were diverted via Commissioner Street, Broich Road and
Leadenflower Road.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “The A85 through Crieff is closed due to safety concerns around scaffolding following a road crash in the early hours of Thursday.
“Officers were called to a building in James Square around 1.05am after a one-car collision.
“One man has been charged in connection with road traffic offences and will be the subject of a report to the procurator fiscal.
“Local diversions were in place until the scaffolding has been deemed safe.”
Police Scotland has said that the off- road vehicle – said to be a KTM model – was stolen from a property in the village’s Stirling Street at some point between 4pm on Sunday, January 21, and 2.30pm on Tuesday, January
23.
Elsewhere in the region a garage in Smithfield Way in Blairgowrie was broken into between midnight and 1am on Saturday, January 27, and two motocross bikes were stolen.
And in Main Street, Guildtown, a house was broken into between 11pm on Friday, January 26, and 8am on Saturday, January
27. A silver BMW X3 was stolen, with the registration V13 LAH.
Police have also said that several homes and vehicles were targeted between 1am and 5am on Thursday, January 25, in William Dickson Drive and David Farquharson Road in Blairgowrie. A white Ranger Rover was stolen, but later recovered, according to a spokesperson for the force.
Sergeant Mark Craig, who is based at Kinross Police Station, said: “I would appeal to anyone with any information about these crimes to contact us.
“I would urge all residents to think about the security of their homes, sheds, garages and outbuildings.
“I would like to remind people of the importance of taking simple crime prevention measures day and night and the role they can play in keeping an eye out for suspicious goings on in the area.
“Residents should ensure that your home, farm and outbuildings are secure.
“Lock windows and doors, remove keys from locks and keep out of visible reach.
“Consider fitting intruder alarms, CCTV and good outside security lighting – check regularly to ensure they work.
“For visibility at night, consider sensor- operated lighting, which is convenient and an effective deterrent.”
Strathallan councillor
Steven Carr is a qualified electrical engineer who has been involved with securing properties in Perthshire for more than 30 years.
He said: “The recent rise in break-ins across Perthshire is very worrying.
“Homeowners need to be aware and to take steps to secure their properties.
“A properly- installed intruder alarm system is the best way to protect a property, but also make sure that keys are not visible and in a safe place, especially car keys.
“Above all, be vigilant, and report anything that seems suspicious.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland’s non-emergency number, 101. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555111.