BRAZEN thieves broke into a Port Glasgow building site and drove off with a dumper truck worth £30,000.

They forced open gates at the Woodhall Terrace site where River Clyde Homes (RCH) are building 20 new houses.

The yellow, six-tonne vehicle — which does not have a registration plate and cannot be driven on public roads — was stolen between 5pm on Tuesday and 7am on Wednesday.

Police said it had the name ‘Fraser Tool Hire’ printed on the side.

Sergeant Allan O’Hare said: “Wheel impressions could be seen going from the site to Brightside Avenue and along a grass embankment to Parkhill Avenue.” It is not known how the vehicle was removed from the area.

Anyone with information about the crime, or who has seen the vehicle since the theft, is being asked to call police on 101.

Housing association RCH said work is continuing on the site.

A spokesman told the Tele: “This will not affect the development.” The houses are being built for rent in a contract headed by CCG Construction of Glasgow, who today declined to comment on the break-in.

RCH has received funding of £1.24 million from the Scottish Government for the development.

The homes are a mix of one, two and three bedroom energy efficient, semi-detached and cottage flats with on-site parking facilities, and are expected to be completed next year.

CCG were also responsible for building RCH’s 141 homes in the east end of Greenock.