RESIDENTS in Cockenzie and Port Seton are finding it a bit more difficult to get their breakfast and morning coffee, as their milk is allegedly being stolen from their doorsteps.

Several people have reported on social media that the items, which are delivered fresh late in the evenings, are being taken, supposedly by people riding bikes, as soon as they are dropped off at the door.

It has also been suggested that some delivery drivers are reporting whole crates being taken from their vans by the same thieves.

One resident from Fishers Road in Port Seton reported an incident after she heard commotion outside her house one evening.

She said that the delivery driver had just delivered milk to her two neighbours when someone “flew past” on a bike and stole the milk.

By the time the delivery driver had turned, the individual on the bike was too far away to identify.

The resident then went outside to check on her neighbours and the delivery driver.

She said that after speaking to the driver, he told her that he was being followed by people on bikes.

She added: “No obvious harm done; however, I get people are relying on these deliveries, it’s wasted money.

“My neighbours are very elderly… but my concern is something happening to this delivery driver for the sake of a few pints of milk or juice.”

Another resident, who lives near the harbour, said that her deliveries were stolen twice in two weeks.

The woman is a childminder and needs the milk for her youngsters.

It is not known if the incident has been reported to the police.

The delivery companies affected are not known but Yester Dairies, based near Gifford, has confirmed that it has not experienced this kind of issue while on deliveries.

Fiona O’Donnell, ward councillor, said: “I would encourage the delivery company to report the alleged thefts to Police Scotland if they haven’t done so already.

“Obviously, it is completely unacceptable to engage in this kind of behaviour.

“It may be that some of the customers are trying to avoid going to the shops because of health concerns, and this delivery service is really important to them. I also feel for any company being targeted in this way. Life is difficult enough for local businesses at this time.”

Her ward colleague, Councillor Lachlan Bruce, said: “Of course stealing is never acceptable but particularly when someone is stealing deliveries from possibly vulnerable people, at a time when going to shops is not always a safe option given Covid, it is completely beyond the pale.

“I hope that the police have been informed and that they will soon catch and punish the culprits.”