Thieves have made off with a four-figure sum of high value angling equipment after a break-in at a fishery business in Fife.
The owners of Raith Lake Fly Fishing on the outskirts of Kirkcaldy say they are now considering whether to continue operating the fishing tackle outlet after thieves kicked through a side window and ransacked the shop area.
The break-in is thought to have taken place between closing time at 4.30pm on Monday, October 28 and 7.30am the next day when the owners, Craig and Rachael Scott, returned to open up.
Rods, reels, and other fly fishing tackle, as well as personal items left at the cabin by regular visitors to the lake, were stolen. Craig and Rachael say the total value amounts to several thousand pounds.
“It’s heartbreaking. The fishing rods alone were all worth around £300 each and then there is all of the expensive tackle and stock which we sell to visitors,” said Rachael.
“What is even more sickening is that it looks like a targeted attack rather than a random or drug-related theft as there are larger items such as the outboard motors that have not been touched.”
The couple have run the business, which includes a 20-acre lake and woodland, for the last two-and-a-half years, leasing it from the Raith Estate, and say they have never been targeted before.
“We are just trying to earn a living and this has hit us hard,” added Rachael.
“We will now have to increase our security, both internally within the shop and across the wider site in an effort to stop a repeat.
“Another theft would be unsustainable. If it were to happen again we’d seriously have to consider removing the shop altogether, which would be a huge blow.”
A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “Officers received a call at around 8.30am on Tuesday, October 29, to reports of a house break at a property in Boglily Road, Kirkcaldy.
“It’s estimated that a four figure sum of items were stolen during the incident and enquiries are ongoing.”
The couple have appealed to customers and fellow anglers across the region to be on the look out for equipment being sold off cheaply or to inform them of other suspicious activity in a bid to catch those responsible.
“The messages of support from fellow business owners as well as the wider fly fishing and angling community has been overwhelming,” said Craig.
“I’m sure we’ll see the equipment appear at some point and police will be informed immediately when it does.”
