Thieves take police car from outside station

BRAZEN thieves stole a police car which was parked outside a station in an early morning raid.

Robbers broke into Blantyre police office and ransacked offices before triggering the station’s alarm.

A number of items were stolen out of secure lockers inside the station before the raiders fled in an unmarked police Ford Fiesta which had been parked in the grounds.

The car was later found by officers on a nearby street in the Lanarkshire town and an investigation was launched.

Police are looking at CCTV footage and conducting doorto-door inquiries in a bid to track down who was responsible. No arrests have yet been made.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Around 3.50am on Thursday officers attended an alarm at Blantyre police office and on arrival found that the station had been broken into.

“A number of items that had been secured in locked units in the office were stolen. An unmarked police car was also stolen however it was recovered nearby a short time later. Inquiries are ongoing and CCTV in the area is being checked.”

It was recently revealed Blantyre station was among a list of 58 across Scotland which were being earmarked for closure as part of a review.

The station was identified alongside others including those in Hamilton, Larkhall, Carluke, Lesmahagow and Biggar.

In November last year, police said there was “no pre-determined outcome” but explained that some buildings may be deemed “surplus to requirements”.

Buildings considered surplus to requirements could be shut, with officers and staff moved to alternative and shared offices nearby.

Last year a lovesick intruder who broke into a police headquarters and roamed about for almost four hours because he wanted to get noticed by his ex-girlfriend was fined £400. William Linton, 26, took pictures of himself wearing a police hat and filmed himself sitting behind a senior officer’s desk.