ORGANISERS of the Inverkeithing Highland Games say next year's event has been put in "jeopardy" after equipment worth £1,200 was stolen from the site.

Fencing – which had been hired especially for the return of the annual fixture after its enforced break due to COVID – was taken from Ballast Bank last week.

Committee chairperson Rod Ruzzak told the Press: "It is disappointing. They have now sent us a bill of £1,200 just to replace it. As a non-profit-making organisation, any money we raise on the day is put back into the Games account.

"It costs us just short of £18,000 a year and having to now pay £1,200 out of it, I am not saying it will, but it puts us in jeopardy for next year. We will not have that money."

The committee believes the security fencing – 37 panels and 17 block feet – were taken some time last Tuesday and are hoping locals may have footage on security cameras or dashcams which could help.

"It was someone who knew what they were doing and they must have come with a low-loader," said Rod. "We think it went on Tuesday. Some of the committee were down on Monday and they were collected on Wednesday and they phoned to say some were missing. We asked them to double-check and they are definitely missing.

"We are thinking if someone has got some footage, we can possibly get a registration plate.

"Due to the nature of the organisation that we are, we don't carry insurance. We have public liability insurance but we don't have insurance for any of the equipment because you cannot quantify the cost of that.

"I don't think it has been someone local. Everybody enjoys the Games. They come down the whole weekend. We have got the Hat and Ribbon race and then on the Saturday, there's the Games and the shows on the High Street.

"Whoever it has been, has come knowing they are going to take it. We think they have come in broad daylight when no-one would suspect."

Police Scotland have confirmed they are investigating the incident.

A spokesperson said: “We received a report of a theft from Ballast Bank, Inverkeithing, around 3.40pm on Wednesday, 10 August, 2022. Enquiries are at an early stage.”

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