Police are urging householders to be vigilant after a spate of blue wheelie bin thefts in Dalgety Bay.
Officers believe thieves have been targeting the bins to find information on people’s personal details in an effort to commit identity theft offences.
The incidents are said to have taken place towards the end of last year in Dalgety Bay.
Colin McPhail, chairman of Dalgety Bay and Hillend Community Council, told The Courier residents must be on their guard.
“These thefts started at the back end of last year,” he said. “There were two occasions when blue bins were taken away.
“Our warning to residents is not to leave anything confidential in blue bins just bin things like cardboard.
“The blue bins themselves are not of any value but the information in them can be.
“We would ask people to leave their blue bins in a place where they are visible and can be seen from a house window. Do not place them in a place where undesirables can take them and commit ID theft.”
PC Keith McLeod said residents should follow simple steps to avoid this type of crime.
“Place your bin on the pavement on the morning of collection rather than putting it out the night before,” he said.
“Ensure that any items being placed in to the bin do not contain any personal information such as name and address, date of birth or banking details such as account numbers or password security/PIN codes.
“People should also shred any correspondence containing personal or banking details prior to placing it in to the bin.”