Edinburgh police probe two separate Mini thefts as one car set on fire in city park

Police are carrying out inquiries into the thefts of two Mini cars in the Edinburgh area, as pictures show one of the vehicles burnt out in a city park.

Photographs show the destroyed car which was dumped in the north-east corner of St Mark's Park, near Powderhall by the Water of Leith, late on Wednesday night. It had been stolen a short time earlier and the owner has been made aware.

A local resident who shared an image on social media on Thursday morning said the vehicle was still "smouldering."

Officers are also investigating the theft of another blue Mini One car which was stolen some time between 5:20pm and 7:50pm on Wednesday.

Police confirmed that the thefts are not linked.

A police spokesman said: "Police Scotland can confirm that enquiries are ongoing into the theft of a blue Mini One car, registration SA51 CYZ.

"The car was stolen sometime between 5.20pm and 7.50pm on Wednesday, 20 November.

"Anyone with information can contact police by calling 101, quoting incident 3296 of 20 November, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

In relation to the vehicle set on fire in St Mark's Park, the spokesman said: "Police Scotland was made aware of a vehicle on fire in St Mark's Park, off Warriston Road around 11.55pm on Wednesday, 20 November.

"The vehicle had been stolen a short time earlier and the owner has been made aware.

"Inquiries are ongoing and anyone with information or who saw the vehicle being driven in the area of St Mark's Park is urged to call 101, quoting incident 3990 of 20 November. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."