A number of vehicles were stolen from a Scots council's depot in a daring early hours raid yesterday. Two white vans, two silver trailers and two yellow JCB diggers were taken from the Aberdeenshire Council depot in Stonehaven at around 7am on Monday July 4.
The thieves are said to have forced open the doors of the Spurryhillock Industrial Estate depot on Broomhill Road to steal the vehicle keys. A security gate at a nearby housing development was also broken and a container entered but nothing was taken.
One of the vans has since been recovered in Northumbria, England, and police say enquires are ongoing to trace the others. The vans have Aberdeenshire Council details printed on the front and back.
Police are urging anyone who may have heard anything to contact Police Scotland and assist with their enquires.
Detective Constable Paul McEwen said: “These vehicle thefts have been organised and enquiries are ongoing to trace those that have not yet been recovered. The JCBs were likely removed on the trailers so could still be together and anyone who sees them should contact us.
“I would also urge anyone who saw anything suspicious at the site, or knows where these vehicles might be to get in touch.
“If you can assist our investigation then please contact us on 101, quoting incident number 0499 of Monday, 4 July, 2022, or make a call anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
An Aberdeenshire Council spokesperson said: “We are very disappointed that our Spurryhillock depot at Stonehaven was targeted by thieves and would encourage anyone with information to contact Police Scotland. While a number of our vehicles have yet to be recovered we would like to thank the Police for their ongoing investigations and for their quick recovery of one of our tipper-vans from the Northumbria area.
“While the theft has been a very unfortunate occurrence and will cost a significant sum for the replacement of vehicles and repair to the damage caused, it has not affected our wider works programme in the area.”
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