Thieves snatch Scotland strips

The new kit was unveiled at Hampden Park

Thieves stole thousands of pounds worth of Scotland football strips - only hours before the new-look kit went on sale.

The robbers struck at a high street store in Edinburgh in the early hours of Thursday.

The new kit had been unveiled the previous day at Hampden Park in Glasgow.

We think the thieves will try to sell the kits on, possibly through markets or similar outlets

Police spokeswoman

But it had not yet been made available to the public when the thieves broke into the Debenhams store in the capital's Princes Street.

They made off with about 100 strips and Adidas training tops, worth about £3,500 in total.

Lothian and Borders Police said they were alerted when an alarm went off in Rose Street, at the rear of the shop, at about 0100 BST on Thursday.

Witnesses reported hearing a vehicle speeding away from the scene.

A police spokeswoman appealed for help from anyone who may have witnessed the incident.

Official suppliers

"The strips are brand new and were officially launched yesterday," she said.

"Obviously they should only be sold and purchased through official suppliers.

"We think the thieves will try to sell the kits on, possibly through markets or similar outlets, and we would like to hear from anyone offered them for sale."

The new strip will be worn by Berti Vogts' team during the Euro 2004 qualifying campaign.

A navy blue-and-white pin-striped shirt, with white collars and cuffs, is complimented by white shorts and socks.

Launch ceremony

The shorts have a blue band round the bottom and the socks a blue band around the top.

The new away strip mirrors the home strip, but in red and navy blue.

The strip was modelled by Celtic's Rab Douglas, Everton's David Weir, Dundee United's Paul Gallacher and Newcastle United's Gary Caldwell at the launch ceremony.

The fashion change comes half-way through a four-year deal with manufacturers Fila.