Crimestoppers boss expresses fears after thieves hit Highland care homes
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FEARS about a looming crime wave have been raised by the head of Crimestoppers in Scotland.
Highland-based Jim Ferguson said he has grave concerns about the next few months after three nursing homes in Inverness-shire were targeted by criminals.
Mr Ferguson is the Scottish chairman of Crimestoppers, the independent charity that receives anonymous information about criminal activity.
Condemning the targeting of the care homes, which were reported by police last week as they appealed for information, he said: “It is a bit of a sickening thing for people to do.
“As if elderly people don’t have enough to worry about at this time.
“This should outrage people, but it should also make people very cautious.”
“This is a very worrying time and I want to encourage everyone to be extra vigilant.
“The Highland way is to keep things unlocked, but we need to send out a strong message to everyone – particularly those people who are in rural areas – to keep outbuildings and garages locked up.
“If you have a business make sure it is locked up safely and that security measures are in place.
“From a distance look out for your neighbours and for their homes.”
He continued: “Do not hesitate to contact the police on 101 if there are strange visitors into your area. This is not the time to be complacent.”
Detectives are continuing enquiries into break-ins at care homes in Inverness, Daviot and Kingussie.
At around 10.30pm on Friday, March 20 four men gained access to the Isobel Fraser Care Home in Mayfield Road, Inverness. They were dressed in dark-coloured clothing and broke in through a window before stealing cash and items belonging to residents.
At around 12.40am on Saturday, March 21, police received a report that Meallmore Lodge in Daviot had been broken into, with money and residents’ items again being the target of thieves.
A third break-in occurred at the Wade Centre in Spey Street, Kingussie at around 3am the same day.
Two men, dressed in dark-coloured clothing, were spotted near the premises.
A blue Audi car was seen in the area and officers are appealing for anyone who was driving in the areas targeted, or on the A9 between Inverness and Kingussie, to check their dash cams for any footage that might assist.
