Appeal following break-ins in Tayside in recent weeks

Detectives are appealing for the help of the public following a series of high value break-ins in Tayside in recent days.

The most recent happened around 6pm on Thursday, 9 December, when a property in Innewan Gardens, Bankfoot, Perth, was broken into and jewellery stolen. Three men wearing black masks were seen in the area and officers are also keen to trace a navy blue van.

Officers are linking this incident to similar break-ins in Dundee. One in Clayhills Drive just after midnight on Wednesday, 8 December, one in Fitzgerald Way on Tuesday, 7 December, between 4pm and 8pm, and one in Newhall Gardens between 5pm and 7pm on Sunday, 5 December.

Detective Sharon Swankie, of Dundee CID, said: “These break-ins involved the theft of high value items, including jewellery and cash, and we are investigating if these incidents are linked.

“We are advising people to review their home security measures, to leave lights on where possible and make sure that any alarms or CCTV are in working order. In the meantime there will be ongoing focussed patrols while our enquiries continue.

“We are asking anyone who may have seen anything suspicious to get in touch. Any detail, no matter how small, could help with our investigation. Likewise, if you have dash-cam footage that shows anything suspicious, that could also assist with our enquiries, so please contact us.”

Anyone who can help is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident numbers 2691 of 9/12/21 (Innewan Gardens), 0057 of 8/12/21 (Clayhills Drive), 3147 of 7/12/21 (William Fitzgerald Way), and 3032 of 5/12/21 (Newhall Gardens). Alternatively a call can be made anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.