THIEVES broke in to Troon’s Royal Mail sorting office last week and made off with around 30 parcels, packed into a wheelie bin.

The premises on Church Street was targeted twice between Saturday, March 30 and Wednesday, April 3 where the building was damaged from forced entry. Police are now using forensics to track down the culprits. It is believed that two separate break-ins occurred but police cannot yet confirm that they were linked.

A police spokesperson said: “Between Saturday, March 30 and Wednesday, April 3 the Royal Mail Depot in Church Street, Troon was broken into and a quantity of property stolen. Initial enquiries have revealed that those responsible used a brown wheelie bin to transport the property to a nearby street.

“Sgt Barlas of Troon Police Office is appealing for anyone who may have seen anything unusual in the area over this time to contact the police.”

Some locals have been left empty handed from the break-in, while Royal Mail work with police to identify those responsible.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “Enquiries continue following two incidents of forced entry and theft at Royal Mail’s Troon delivery office. We believe about 30 parcels were taken and packaging for some of these items was recovered by the police who are holding the packets for forensics.

“We are attempting to identify the customers who have lost items and will be contacting them where possible. Police attended the delivery office following both incidents as did a member of our own security team and property team to repair and secure the building. Anyone with any information should contact local police and anyone worried about mail should contact our customer services on 03457 740 740.”

One Troon resident said: “It’s shocking. Why would anyone do that? I am absolutely appalled and hope police catch whoever is responsible.”

Information can be passed by calling 101 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers Scotland on 080055511.