Police in Invergowrie have stepped up patrols after a shocked father discovered a gang of youths climbing into the back seat of his car as part of a suspected crime spree in the village.
Electrician Craig Abbott disturbed three teenagers shortly after 11pm on Sunday after his young son accidentally unlocked the back door of the vehicle while playing with his keys. Mr Abbott confirmed nothing was taken as the car was empty at the time.
Local residents have questioned whether the incident is linked to a break-in at Scotmid on Invergowrie Main Street on Friday morning, along with a series of other attempted thefts reportedly involving a similar group of youths.
Mr Abbott reported the incident on Monday but said officers and sniffer dogs were only able to trace the gang from his home in Greystane Terrace as far as Riverside Drive.
He said: “Police were sure they were the same guys who did the shop. It must have been at around quarter past 11, they were wearing dark hooded tops and baseball caps.
“I just saw the back of them really. I stupidly shouted out the window and then bolted out in my jammies. They disappeared sharpish.”
Mr Abbott said he was left “raging” by the incident and struggled to fall asleep until after 3am as he tossed and turned thinking about the attempted theft.
“I know it’s stupid and there’s no point getting angry but they’re clearly not from the village – everyone here knows each other,” he said.
Police have described three people seen on Scotmid’s CCTV cameras as white with slim builds and wearing jogging bottoms, dark jackets and baseball caps. The clothing worn appears to match the individuals seen by Mr Abbott.
Group members on a popular Invergowrie community page have also reported a number of incidents involving a gang matching the description.
One fed up local resident told the group he was ready to move his family away from the area following the string of attempted break-ins and thefts.
Carse of Gowrie councillor Angus Forbes contacted Police Scotland on Monday to request increased patrols in the area and spoke to chief inspector Ian Scott, area commander for Perth and Kinross, about the issue yesterday.
He said: “Commander Scott told me they are following an active line of inquiry but he was unable to confirm any more details. I’ve been delighted by the response and how seriously they’ve taken it.
“I’ve also been pleased to see residents online saying they have noticed an increased presence in the area since it was reported.”
A spokesman for the force said it was unable to confirm whether the incidents are linked because there was no damage to property and nothing was taken as part of the Greystane Terrace incident, so no further action will be taken.
He said: “We received a call at around 7.45 am on Monday, January 20. Inquiries were carried out but there was no trace of anyone and there was no damage to any property.”
