Stolen traffic light batteries among 63 thefts being probed in Fife

Police are hunting thieves who stole batteries from traffic lights in Fife.

Published 19th Apr 2016

Police are hunting thieves who stole batteries from traffic lights in Fife.

The working batteries were taken from temporary traffic lights as part of 63 thefts from road works, building sites and recycling centres.

Officers warned the thefts could cause serious road safety issues''.

A total of 27 working batteries were taken from building site equipment or temporary traffic lights across Fife.

A further 24 were stolen from Pittenweem recycling centre and 12 from the Glenrothes recycling centre in the past eight days.

Police said the stolen items include batteries from cars, JCBs and generators. The live batteries are instantly reusable and the recycled ones have scrap value.

Sergeant David Hayes said: These thefts could cause serious road safety issues in addition to the cost to the contractor or local authority.

There are also safety concerns around the acid in the batteries if they are being stripped down for the scrap value.

Anyone with information that can help us trace those responsible is asked to contact us on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.''