Thieves target care homes in spate of 'shameful' break-ins

A spate of “shameful” break-ins has taken place at Scottish care homes during a three-day period.

Police are investigating ten incidents at premises in Lanarkshire, Glasgow and West Lothian, between Wednesday and Saturday.

The Strathaven Colinsdene Nursing Home, was broken into around 12.50am on Wednesday.

After this incident, three further break-ins occurred in Glasgow at the Greenfield Park Nursing Home, Hogganfield Loch Nursing Home and Little Sisters of the Poor Sheltered Housing Complex.

Late on Wednesday night another Glasgow care home was targeted, after staff at the Oakview Manor Care Home disturbed a group of men entering the premises.

In the early hours of Thursday, a break-in was discovered at the Whitehills Care Home in East Kilbride.

This followed on from a similar break-in that took place within the Forefaulds Nursing Home, East Kilbride around 1am.

The same day, an attempt was made to force entry to the Embrace Care Home in East Kilbride.

‘Those responsible for these shameful offences have targeted the possessions of elderly and vulnerable members of communities across Scotland.’
Detective chief inspector Bryan Burns, Police Scotland

At about 2.40am on Saturday a break-in took place within the manager’s office at the Livingston Nursing Home.

Later the same morning it was discovered a break-in had occurred at Broxburn Nursing Home, after an office was forcibly entered.

All of these offences are believed to have been carried out by the same group.

Detective chief inspector Bryan Burns said: “Those responsible for these shameful offences have targeted the possessions of elderly and vulnerable members of communities across Scotland.

“I would ask that anyone who remembers seeing any suspicious activity around any of the affected premises, between Wednesday and Saturday, contacts police immediately.

“Officers across the country are currently engaging with the care homes where break-ins took place to offer crime prevention advice and conduct property surveys aimed at improving the overall security in and around these premises.

“Staff and management within other care homes throughout Scotland are advised at this time to consider their own security and if required, take appropriate steps to strengthen existing measures.”

Anyone with information on these incidents should contact police on 101.