Police in Midlothian are urging van owners and users to keep their property safe following a series of thefts from vans in Midlothian.

The incidents happened between 29th April and 1st May from streets in Penicuik and Bonnyrigg, where power tools were stolen.

The first theft took place overnight between Saturday 29th April and Sunday 30th April from outside an address on John Street, Penicuik. Entry was gained but nothing appeared to have been stolen.

The second incident occurred overnight between 6.30pm on Saturday 29th April and 2pm on Sunday 30th April outside an address in Cuiken Avenue, Penicuik.

The third incident occurred outside an address in Burnbrae Place in Bonnyrigg and was reported on the morning of Monday 1st May

Sergeant Michele Lindsay from Penicuik Police Station said: “I’m keen to speak to anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in any of the streets where the vans were parked.

“The stolen power tools are of high value and used for business purposes, therefore their disappearance affects the owners and their businesses.

“I also want to hear from anyone who may have been offered any such tools for sale or in unusual circumstances.

“Works vans are inviting for opportunist thieves who may take a chance that a vehicle is unlocked or has valuable contents inside. It only takes a second to steal thousands of pounds worth of tools – so workers should make sure that they always lock their vehicles, remove contents overnight, and park in a secure garage if possible.”

Anyone with information about these thefts should call Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

For first incident please quote 2549 of 30th April 2017, for the second quote 2924 of 30th April 2017 and for the third quote 0791 of 1st May 2017.