Appeal following theft of fire safety equipment in Aberdeen

We are appealing for information following the theft of fire safety equipment from within two residential blocks of flats in Aberdeen.

Some 32 brass valves (like those pictured) from the dry riser pipes at Balgownie Court and St Ninian’s Court in the Seaton area of the city, were taken between Tuesday, 6 June, and Wednesday, 9 August, 2023.

They had been inspected on the June date but when maintenance personnel from Aberdeen City Council arrived as part of a regular inspection on the 9 August they were found to be missing.
The dry riser pipes run up the stairwells of each block. There is one valve on each floor, with 16 floors and 16 valves in total per block.

Police Constable Willian Bayliss said: “These valves allow the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to attach their hose apparatus and pump water directly in the event of a fire.

“Part of these valves consists of a cap secured by a brass element. This brass element allows the cap to be removed and the hose attached. Without these elements, it is very difficult to release the cap.

“While it is still possible to release it with a pair of pliers this is not easy and it is possible that the lack of the brass element could make the entire valve unusable.

“All of these valves have now been replaced at an approximate cost of £3,500. However, for some time their absence meant there was a significant safety risk to everyone living within the flats as it could have potentially prevented firefighters from effectively tackling a fire.”

“We are asking anyone who saw anything suspicious or knows where these valves might be to get in touch.”

Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident numbers 1243 and 1274 of 14 August, 2023.