Strathclyde Police have warned people to think twice before trespassing in an attempt to steal scrap metal.

The announcement came after two men were reported for trespassing on the building site near Bell Quadrant in New Stevenston on Wednesday 1st February, around 1.45pm. They were spotted acting suspiciously by some vigilant members of the public who duly phoned the police.

Constable Alan Mulholland, Community Safety Officer, said:

"It is an offence to trespass on someone else's property with the intent to commit theft. The police are on the lookout for anyone who is stealing metal and selling it for scrap. We are actively stopping and checking vehicles to ensure any property on board is owned by the occupants of the vehicle and if not then they run the risk of being arrested. We have found that some people are going out and taking what they perceive to be scrap from the sides of roads and other people's property. It is the responsibility of any person finding property to hand it in to a police office and if you have not done this then you run the risk of being charged with theft."