ROBBERS brandished a weapon at security guards and threatened them as they stole power tools from a building site in East Linton yesterday afternoon (Sunday).

At about 4.55pm, police were called to the site on Haddington Road after security officers were threatened by the two men, who had broken into portable cabins at the site. They stole a number of power tools.

The security guards challenged the men as they attempted to leave the site with their haul but one of the robbers brandished a weapon at the guards before both men ran off and got into a white Ford Transit van with a black and green Enterprise logo.

The first suspect is described as white, between late 20s and early 30s, skinny build, brown eyes and between 5 foot 9 and 5 foot 10. He was wearing a plain dark face mask, black-framed round glasses, light grey jogging bottoms and gloves.

The second suspect is described as white, late 20s and wearing a grey/blue cap and dark clothing.

An appeal has now been launched by police to help trace the men and gain more information.

Detective Constable Stevie Neill, the officer investigating, said: “Thankfully, the security guards were not injured but that fact that the suspects were willing to use violence to get what they wanted was very frightening for both men.

“The suspects knew what they were looking for and came prepared with the necessary equipment to get into the compound housing the portable cabins and steal the tools.

“The van they used was parked just outside the building site in a neighbouring field and the men carried the stolen tools to the vehicle.

“It’s possible they had been in the area for a while before security was alerted and so I am appealing to anyone who was in the area between 2.30pm and 5.30pm and who saw a white Transit van with a black and green Enterprise logo on it in a field next to the site or anything suspicious about the behaviour of people at the site to get in touch.

“We believe that the van would have driven onto the A199 between Haddington and East Linton after the robbery, so if you were on that road on Sunday afternoon and have dash-cam footage, then please call police as your information could prove very useful to the investigation.”

Those with information are asked to contact police at Dalkeith Police Station via 101 quoting reference number 2984 of Sunday, May 9.

Alternatively, details can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.