Thieves target city hotels

The gang stole crystal from the George Hotel

Police have launched a hunt for a gang of thieves who stole almost £9,000 worth of goods from two top Edinburgh hotels.

The gang escaped with watches, brass and crystal from the George Hotel on Saturday morning and the Crowne Plaza Hotel in the early hours of Sunday morning.

A raid on the luxury Balmoral Hotel on Princes Street on Saturday afternoon was foiled when staff disturbed the gang before they could break into a display cabinet.

Police said they were looking for two men and a woman in connection with the robberies.

Police are appealing for vigilance

The gang's crime spree began at 1130 BST on Saturday at the four star George Hotel on George Street.

They removed four Zeitner and 11 Klaus Kobec watches, worth more than £8,000, from a display cabinet in the foyer.

About one hour later, the gang used the same tactics when they attempted to rob the Balmoral Hotel on Princes Street.

But staff disturbed their attempt to break into another display cabinet.

The gang struck again on Sunday morning when they forced a display cabinet open in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in High Street.

They got away with crystal bowls, various brass objects and painted Scots Highland guards, worth about £800.

'Travel extensively'

A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said: "There is little doubt that the same team are responsible for these three incidents.

"I would suspect that the team do not originate from Edinburgh and perhaps travel extensively to commit crime.

"I would take this opportunity to warn hoteliers both in Edinburgh and elsewhere to be on their guard until these criminals are caught."

Police described one of the men as being of dark European/Mediterranean appearance, aged 32-35, 5ft 10in tall, medium to stocky build with short, dark hair.

He was unshaven and wore a black leather jacket, blue shirt, black trousers and black shoes.

The second man was described as white, aged 25-28, 5ft 8in to 6ft tall, with short, light brown hair. He was wearing a dark coloured top and blue jeans.

The woman was described as white, aged 25-30, 5ft 4in tall, of slim build, with long, blonde hair in a pony tail. She was wearing a denim jacket and jeans.