Police confirm they are now investigating FOUR break-ins in THREE days
Last updated 13th Sep 2023
More details are emerging this morning (Wednesday) of another raid by thieves in our region.
Police have now confirmed they are investigating four break-ins in the Scottish Borders and Northumberland in three days - although it's unclear whether any of them are being linked.
Both Co-op stores in Chirnside and Wooler were broken into in the early hours of Tuesday morning. A four-figure sum of money was taken from the Borders outlet.
Around the same time, Berwick Rangers Football Club's home ground - which is less than 10 miles from Chirnside - was also raided, with a large amount of club merchandise stolen.
And a car - a grey Ford Fiesta (registration SN17 TWC) - was taken in Peebles following a break-in at a house in the town's Kittlegairy Way in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Investigations have now been launched by police forces on both sides of the Scotland-England border.
Officials at Berwick Rangers have slammed "reckless" thieves who broke into their home ground - and warn their behaviour could have had tragic consequences.
The culprits were seen driving around the area in golf buggies - one of which smashed into a nearby gas pipe, causing homes to be evacuated.
Police are appealing for anyone with doorbell or dashcam footage in the area to get in touch.
They also want to trace a white Audi spotted outside Shielfield Park shortly after midnight.
Meanwhile, the club has launched a buy a ticket drive to help pay for the damage.
Director Dan Crowe told Greatest Hits Radio: "After we were targeted in July by vandals, to have this happen again is absolutely devastating.
"We're a small team of staff and volunteers who worked really hard over the summer to create a venue that we're proud of for the community. The club house, which was a target of the more recent attack, was completely renovated over the summer.
"So, to see the window smashed up and all the stock on the floor, and damage and destroyed, is heart-breaking."
A number of vehicle keys used by Berwick Bandits, with which the Lowland League side ground shares, have also been reported missing.
It's believed the culprits were spotted joyriding in golf buggies in the Roberts Lodge area of town.
One resident said: "They caused utter chaos. They travelled up to our housing estate through an alley way. When they left the estate, back down through the same alley, they hit the gable end of a house - smashing the gas meter and pipe off the wall.
"Half the court had to be evacuated from their houses, from around midnight till 4am."
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News of the break-ins come as concerns are raised over the lack of policing in the Borders.
Tweeddale councillor Robin Tatler says on-street car parking is "completely out of control", due, he says, "to the fact that there isn't the enforcement that there should be".
His comments follow the publication of new stats, which revealed only eight parking tickets were issued in the area in three months between April and June this year.
Scottish Borders Council's Executive committee yesterday (Tuesday) heard the Community Action Team (CAT) - which is jointly funded between the police and local authority - has been operating at reduced strength for several months.
"The number of parking tickets issued across the Borders has been lower due to the reduced CAT resourcing," says a report presented to councillors.
"Tickets issued had reduced from quarter 4 of 2022/23 (1st December 2022 to 31st March 2023) to the end of quarter 1 of 2023/24 (1st April to 30th June 2023) when compared to previous years."
But it adds: "Now the CAT are back up to full strength plans are in place to increase the number of parking tickets issued across all localities."
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