Police hunt for £150k metal thieves
Lorraine Tinney • Published 21 Feb 2012 10:00
POLICE are appealing for the public's help to catch thieves who stole £150,000 worth of metal in Greenock.
More than 70 tonnes of rail tracks were taken during a raid at a yard in Baker Street, pictured, last October.
The incident, which was reported by the Tele in January, was Scotland's most costly railway theft in the past three years.
It saw a total of 220 pieces of rail - cut into lengths - taken at some time between 17 September and 20 October from the yard.
Despite an extensive police investigation, no-one has been caught in connection with the theft.
Police are now stepping up the probe by urging members of the public to come forward and help them catch those responsible.
They believe someone may have noticed the theft while it was in progress.
Detective Constable Lorna White, the British Transport Police officer in charge of the inquiry, said: "There is no doubt that a heavy goods vehicle would have been used to remove the rail.
"I am appealing for anyone who may have seen people acting suspiciously in the area or who has knowledge of those responsible for this theft to contact British Transport Police."
Details of the incident were initially released by British Transport Police last month as they revealed that more than £1 million worth of metal had been stolen from Scotland's railways since 2008.
In total, there were more than 300 instances of stolen metal between April 2008 and October last year.
Anyone with information, should call British Transport Police on 0141 775 5136.
This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 21 Feb 12
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.
