Over 70 cars stolen in Edinburgh and the Lothians as police operation underway across East Scotland

Over 70 cars have been stolen in the Edinburgh and the Lothians area during a spate of housebreaking.

Police Scotland are investigating the housebreaking and vehicle thefts across the area after over 70 cars have been stolen from Edinburgh and the Lothians alone.

Since May, 119 vehicles in total have been stolen from outside properties in Forth Valley, East Lothian, Midlothian, West Lothian, Fife and Dundee.

Officers have warned that break-ins and thefts mostly take place in the late evening or early morning.

Over 70 cars stolen in Edinburgh and the Lothians as police operation underway across East Scotland

All of these offences are being investigated as part of Operation Greenbay – the ongoing campaign across the Central Belt, which investigates the theft of motor vehicles during housebreakings.

Detective Inspector Karen Muirhead commented: “Whenever a housebreaking or vehicle theft occurs, it has a profound impact on the victims and as part of Operation Greenbay we are actively investigating all of these incidents to identify those responsible and reunite stolen cars with their rightful owners.

“Preventing these crimes happening in the first instance is our top priority and the public have a vital role to play in this.

“I would urge all homeowners to consider what their current home security looks like and evaluate if it could be enhanced through the use of measures such as alarms, motion-activated lights and CCTV.

“For those with electric key fobs, please consider buying a faraday box or pouch, which blocks the signal from being detected and amplified to open and start your vehicle. At the very least, please do not leave keys near the door or entryway of your home.

“Following engagement with victims, we have established that many prefer to leave keys and valuables near doors so that in the event their homes are broken into, thieves do not venture further inside the property. In our experience, the likelihood of this occurring is extremely rare, with most criminals seeking an easy and quick grab, rather than having to search the entire house.

“We are treating all of these crimes with the utmost seriousness and would urge anyone with information that can assist our ongoing inquiries to contact police immediately.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland via 101, or alternatively, make an anonymous report to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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