Romanian gangs behind spate of Highland break-ins
EASTERN European gangs are targeting homes and businesses across the Highlands, according to police.
They have already committed around 50 break-ins across the region over the past month.
This week Inverness householders and businesses have been warned to be on their guard.
Police Scotland’s North area commander Chief Superintendent Julian Innes said the force believed all the incidents had been planned and researched by the thieves in advance of the break-ins.
Ch Supt Innes said Romanian gangs based in Glasgow were the likely culprits behind the crime spate which has occurred in Fort William, Nairn, Ullapool, Evanton, Alness, Glenelg, Gairloch and Glenmoriston.
Power tools have been stolen from outbuildings and sheds, workers’ vans and industrial units. A caravan was stolen from a location in Gairloch this week.
Many of the break-ins have taken place during the night when the roads have been quiet.
In a development in the police hunt yesterday, a 51-year-old man has been charged in relation to the theft of power tools in the Gairloch area and will appear at Inverness Sheriff Court this week.
Ch Supt Innes said: “In the last few weeks we have noticed a change in crime patterns in the Highlands.
“It started in Fort William about a month ago and we found it has been travelling through Badenoch and up to Nairn.
“We have been targeted by groups that are organised. One of these groups is based in Glasgow and are Romanian and they have been travelling to this area in ones and twos.
“Our initial assessments are that some of the break-ins are planned and have been researched beforehand, so someone is coming up and casing the joint in advance.
“They realise the Highlands is a very safe place to live and by the nature of our geography we are rural and our roads at night are much quieter than in other areas.”
He said members of the public in Nairn and Fort William had noticed something different and had contacted the police.
Ch Supt Innes added: “That gives us the opportunity to get right in about these groups to try and catch them and report them for a particular break-in or disrupt their activity.
“We want to get right in about this before it gets any worse and the best way of doing that is working with the public and our partners and getting as much information as possible. We value the information we get from communities and that is the real strength of the Highlands.”
Anyone who notices any suspicious activity should contact police on 101.
