Police are asking owners of Transit vans to take precautions after a number were stolen in West Lothian this week.
Since Saturday, December 7, five Ford Transit vans have been stolen from the Bathgate and Westfield areas and an attempt was made to steal one in Livingston too.
The vans, four white and one red, are worth thousands of pounds in total.
Constable Robert Gilmour at West Calder Police Station said: “We are losing Ford Transit vans at the rate of almost one a day in the West Lothian area just now.
“The majority have been white ones and at this stage we are unaware how those responsible are overcoming the security of the vehicles in order to steal them. Door-to-door inquiries are being carried out in the areas surrounding where the vans have been stolen from, and CCTV footage is being reviewed where available.
“I would ask anyone who may have such a van to be very careful where they park it and to ensure it is always locked and secured. Parking in a well-lit area is advised as most of the thefts have occurred during the hours of darkness.
“I am also appealing for anyone who may have a Transit van which may have been the subject of an attempted theft, and not yet reported it to us. I am also keen to hear from anyone who may seen or heard any suspicious activity around any Transit style vans to call us on the 101 number, quoting the reference number 0540 7 December 2019.”
