Eight businesses at a Forfar industrial estate have been left reeling after a break-in during the early hours of Sunday saw a four-figure sum of cash stolen.
Two people can be seen on CCTV inside the Valhalla Gym, one of the business units at the Orchardbank Industrial Estate in Forfar affected.
Colin Duncan, owner of agricultural supplier Dunmor Agri, told The Courier that eight of the 10 units had been hit including his own.
Petty cash was stolen from Colin’s Angus-based business alongside the CCTV recording hardware, while a Ford Ranger pick-up truck was taken from a neighbouring coachworks.
He said that cash with an estimated value “well into four figures” had been taken from the other businesses alongside other items including the vehicle.
“Everyone down here was broken into apart from two. A substantial amount of cash was taken, including from myself.
“The CCTV control box was taken from me and everyone else. Luckily Valhalla Gym has their CCTV backed up on a server so we could get images.
“We’ve been here all day, I’ve been trawling the area looking for the CCTV control boxes.
Break-in a ‘real blow’ for Forfar business owner
“We’re just a small family business trying to make a living, serving the agricultural sector and the local community. It’s a real blow.
“I probably wouldn’t have had so much cash in the shop but the banks are down to limited opening hours. I tried to hide it, but in hindsight I wish I had taken it home,” Colin said.
The CCTV shows the pair in the gym and in one of the images it appears the pair have stopped for a cuddle.
Police appeal
“I want to get them caught,” Colin added, urging anyone with information about the break-in or those involved to come forward.
Police confirmed inquiries into the incident, believed to have taken place shortly after 1am on December 26, were ongoing.
A spokesperson for the force urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward, saying: “We were made aware of a number of break-ins and attempted break-ins to units at Orchardbank Industrial Estate in Forfar during the morning of Sunday December 26.
“The incidents happened over the previous night and inquiries are ongoing.
“Anyone with information can call 101, quoting incident 0929 of 26 December.”
