Tattoo stand's steel stolen by trailer thieves

THE organisers of the Edinburgh Tattoo have insisted their new multi-million-pound grandstand will be completed on schedule, despite the theft of almost 20 tonnes of steel destined for the project.

Police have appealed for information after two trailers containing steel girders valued at 50,000 were taken from an industrial estate in Livingston over the weekend.

It appeared the trailers were driven from the compound and it has been suggested the steel could already have been moved across the country.

The steel was described by officers as being "integral" to the hosting of the Tattoo and organisers admitted the girders had been specially created for the ongoing construction of the new grandstand, currently being erected at Edinburgh Castle.

The 16 million grandstand project, partly funded by the Scottish Government, marks an end to the temporary stands which have been used on the Esplanade for the last 35 years.

The steel was valued at more than 50,000 by the Tattoo, while police said the trailers stolen also had "significant value".

Despite this, Tattoo organisers said the grandstand would open on schedule later this year, ahead of the start of the annual military spectacular in August

A Tattoo spokesman said: "We are still hopeful that this steel can be recovered and we have been told by police that is a possibility, but while these pieces had been designed and made specifically for the grandstand, we have been assured it will not affect the project.

"We have rescheduled the ongoing construction work to avoid any delays and if needs be we can get these pieces replaced in around six weeks."

The trailers were taken from Muir Road, Houston Industrial Estate, Livingston, some time between 8.45pm on Sunday and 7.30am on Monday.

They are both 45ft red extendable articulated trailers. One has the number 12 and the other 21 on a yellow sign on the front left-hand side of the trailer.

Police are appealing to anyone who may have any information to come forward.

A police spokesman said: "This theft is likely to have been planned, as specialist heavy lifting equipment would have been required.

"It is possible that those responsible were mainly interested in the trailers. However, we would urge members of the public to stay vigilant and to contact us if they have information.

"With steel prices remaining high, it is likely that the steel has been specifically targeted. It's important dealers and tradesmen are aware that this steel has been stolen, as someone may well try to sell it on in the next few days.

"It might already be en route elsewhere in the country, or might still be in the local area. As such, anyone with any information should contact police on 0131-311 3131."

Anyone with any information can alternatively call Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.