A West Lothian couple fearing for their business “barricade” themselves in at night after a gang of thieves appeared to steal £18,000 of equipment from their yard. The incident happened at a horse delivery yard in Bathgate just after midnight on May 10.
Owners Martin, 58, and Rachel Arnott, 30, claim machinery and nine saddles were stolen, plus a diesel tank and the keys for their horse lorry. Footage captured one of the gang walking around the premises with his hood up and shining a torch.
The theft has had a huge impact on the business and has also affected customer confidence, reports Edinburgh Live. Cops were made aware of the incident and the couple fear the thieves will return.
View ImageThe gang were caught on CCTV.(Image: Supplied)
Martin said: “Four tack rooms were broken into and equipment was stolen from all of them. We realised the next morning.
“At this moment in time, we are barricading ourselves in every night because the fear is they’re going to come back. We live in the countryside and even though we’ve got CCTV, it’s not stopping them.
“It’s had a massive impact on the business and our customer confidence because who wants their equipment stolen Some of these people have had to work really, really hard to afford what they’ve had stolen.
“I mean these individuals were essentially walking right past our house – it’s incredibly unsettling. It feels like we aren’t getting any support from police.
“I’m aware there are more serious situations like this but we are talking about £18,000 of stolen equipment.”
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Police Scotland has been approached for comment.
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