Supermarket robbers bag £3000 worth of cigarettes

Police are appealing for witnesses after the Sainsbury’s store at Meadowbank Retail Park and Morrisons store in Piershill were targeted in the early hours of Wednesday.

In the first incident, the robbers entered the Sainsbury’s through the roof before making off with the haul of cigarettes.

A short time later, at around 3.30am, the Morrisons supermarket in Piersfield Terrace was also entered by its roof, but the thieves left with nothing.

Lothian and Borders Police are now investigating whether these incidents are linked and are urging businesses to ensure they have appropriate security measures in place to deter would-be thieves.

Sergeant Laura Brunton said: “In both incidents, the suspects climbed on to the supermarkets’ flat roofs and broke in.

“Officers believe that those who carried out these break-ins would have had to be carrying large holdalls for their equipment and to carry the stolen items.

“As such, anyone who remembers seeing anyone with a holdall acting suspiciously around either of these stores on Wednesday morning is asked to contact police immediately.

“We will be engaging with local businesses to offer a range of crime prevention advice and guidance on the steps which can be taken to protect your premises from criminals.

“A number of measures including anti-climb paint, CCTV and security alarms are readily available and companies are strongly advised to have these installed if not already in place.

“Other simple steps, such as ensuring rooftop areas are not easily accessible and keeping high-value items suitably locked away, will help make your premises an unattractive target for criminals.

“Anyone looking for more advice on crime prevention can contact their local policing team or visit the Lothian and Borders Police website at www.lbp.police.uk.”

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson: “We can confirm there was an incident at our Meadowbank store in the early hours of Boxing Day.

“No colleagues or customers were harmed and we are helping the police with their inquiries.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 0131-311 3131 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.