Police are hunting crooks who swiped a catch of velvet crabs from the deck of an Arbroath fishing boat.
The 30 kilogramme haul, worth around £100, was taken from a boat docked in the harbour in the early hours of yesterday morning.
The crabs were in a basket on the fishing boat, and police believe the thieves also made an unsuccessful bid to steal lobster from a neighbouring vessel.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “A 30kg catch of velvet crab worth about £100 was taken from a basket on one of the fishing boats docked in the harbour.
“A basket of lobster on a neighbouring boat appears to have been subject of an attempted theft as well but has been left behind, so those involved may have been disturbed.
“We have also been informed of a possible previous theft of this type, but details have yet to be confirmed.”
The spokesman added: “Due to the weight of the stolen catch and the fact it had been removed from the basket it was stored in, those responsible must have been in possession of appropriate equipment for transport and storage of the crabs and lobsters.
“We would ask all local fisherman to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity in and around the area’s harbours to contact us.”
If you have any information that could assist our investigation, in particular if you have been offered any crabs or lobsters for sale outwith auction or selling practice, please call 101 or speak with any police officer.
“Also, information can be given anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. Our reference is CR/27850/19.”
