AN INCREASING number of roof tent thefts have been highlighted by police.

More and more people are enjoying the county and particularly the coastline with roof tents offering people an alternative to traditional camping.

However, a spokesperson for Police Scotland highlighted a number had been stolen.

They said: “Unfortunately there are an increasing number of thefts of roof tents, with recent thefts of roof tents from East and Midlothian recorded, as well as thefts in the Edinburgh area.”

Police offered advice, including insuring your roof box tent, on how to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of roof tent theft.

The spokesperson added: “Ensure that your roof tent is securely mounted to your vehicle’s roof racks using high-quality and tamper-resistant mounting hardware.

“Opting for locking mechanisms or anti-theft bolts to deter thieves from attempting to remove the tent.

“Install additional locking mechanisms on your roof tent to make it more difficult for thieves to access.

“You could consider using padlocks or specialised locking systems designed specifically for roof tents.

“Fit a roof tent specific alarm.

“Park your vehicle in well-lit areas whenever you can and perhaps even in an area where there is CCTV coverage.

“Mark your roof tent with a unique identifier, there are a number or products on the market that make it easier to identify and recover your property if stolen.

“If possible, try to remove your roof tent from the roof when not in use.”