OVER £6,000 worth of tools have been stolen from vehicles in Upper Nithsdale this week.

Tradesmen in the area are now being warned to keep their tools secure following the recent thefts.

Sometime overnight on Tuesday/Wednesday, October 2/3, £1,200 worth of equipment was stolen in Wanlockhead and overnight on Wednesday/Thursday, October 3/4 around £5,000 of tools were stolen in Sanquhar.

A Dewalt grinder and multitool and a number of batteries were among the items taken from a red Mitsubishi L200 which had been broken into on Fraser Terrace, Wanlockhead.

On Glendyne Place, Sanquhar, drills, a sander, a router, a nail gun, a plainer and associated batteries were all taken from a grey Suzuki Jimny.

Police Scotland have launched an investigation into the thefts and they are keen to trace the occupants of a Peugeot 206 that had been spotted in Wanlockhead in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Constable Leanne Hamilton said: "It is not clear whether or not these two thefts are linked. We are again asking the public to be vigilant when parking their vehicles which contain expensive items overnight.

"We are also keen to hear from anyone who may have any information about these thefts, and from anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity in the Sanquhar or Wanlockhead areas over the past few days.

"In particular we are keen to identify the occupants of a Peugeot 206 car which was seen driving about in Wanlockhead in the early hours of Wednesday 3 October. Callers can contact police through the 101 number, and should quote the reference number 0479 of 3/10."