Casual thieves target visitor attraction

Police say several cars have been broken into in the carpark at Greenbank Garden in Clarkston in the past two months. The thefts continued this week with another car break-in, after police advised drivers not to leave their valuables in plain view.

A spokesman told The Extra that opportunist thieves will break in to cars that are left unlocked or, as in this last case and previous thefts at the visitor attraction, with a purse or handbag left in the passenger seat or on the dashboard.

In 1976, he gifted Greenbank House and Garden to the National Trust for Scotland (NTS).

A spokesman for the NTS told The Extra: ““We are aware of occasions in recent weeks in which vehicles parked at Greenbank Garden have been targeted by opportunistic thieves. This is part of a wider spate of incidents in Clarkston and Newton Mearns.

“We have been in contact with Police Scotland to discuss security at Greenbank generally. Our volunteers and staff will be reminding visitors to ensure their vehicles are locked and that no valuables are left in plain sight.

“We will shortly be adding new signage to the car park to prompt people to be more vigilant.”

The message continues to be: don’t leave possessions in plain view or cars unlocked.