Police probe thefts

Break ins by gang

Police are hunting a gang of four men following two breakins in West Lothian.

At around 1am on Wednesday ( May 30) thieves forced their way into a business unit in the Houstoun Industrial Estate and a number of cosmetic items were taken.

Police are looking for the occupants of a white Vauxhall Movano van that was seen to approach the site near the time of the breakin. The van was later found burnt out on the B8046 at Faucheldean.

Two nights later, at around 1.30am on Friday ( June 1) another break- in was reported at the Harburn Golf Club in West Calder. Four men exited a BMW car and forced their way into the clubhouse and stole the safe from within. The safe was later recovered intact within a nearby field. Both of these incidents are being linked to the break-in and attempted theft from the post office in Dechmont during the early hours of Thursday (May 31).

Detective Inspector Paul Batten said: “Our inquiries at this time lead us to believe that all three breakins have been carried out by the same people and we would urge anyone with information that can help us identify those responsible to contact police immediately. In addition, anyone who believes they have seen the occupants of BMW car, or Vauxhall Movano van, acting suspiciously at any of the affected locations, then please also get in touch.”

Anyone with information relating to any of these incidents can contact Livingston CID via 101 and quote incident numbers 180 of the May 30; 248 of the May 31or 260 of the June1 . Call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.