Surgeon devastated as thieves target his home

A SURGEON has been left devastated after thieves broke into his home and snatched items worth up to £50,000.

They stole three gold bars, a collection of banknotes, a large amount of jewellery and Rolex watches during daylight hours on February 11.

The surgeon, 49, who lives in Edinburgh and wished to remain anonymous, said they stole “very sentimental” items.

He said: “I’ve been married for 25 years and over those years we have collected a lot of things from all over the world.

“They ransacked the place. They went off with all of my wife’s jewellery and a banknote collection from all parts of the world.

“There were a few gold bars that I had collected over the years that they also took.

“They were sentimental things, as well as being highvalue. Many of these items are very unique and it will be very difficult for anybody to sell them off.

“There have been a number of burglaries in our area over the last few weeks. They are a gang of young boys between 15 and 19 years old, from the Drylaw area.”

The surgeon insisted those behind the robbery were part of a well-known gang of teens, who have been carrying out a raft of break-ins across the city and then using stolen cars to hide the goods.

Willie Black, secretary of West Pilton and West Granton Community Council, admitted there was a problem but warned against singling out youths from Drylaw.

He said: “Teenagers across the city are up to no good. They are certainly stealing goods, and slowly but surely the net is closing in on them.”

A police spokesman said: “Police in Edinburgh are carrying out inquiries into a housebreaking at an address in Craiglockhart.”

Officers are keen to speak to anyone with information. Those who can assist police are asked to call 101.